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Google Panda 4.0 - Are You Affected?

Let's look at Panda 4.0

It is more about
  1. Thin content (more pages under one section/cluster which has less content, user experience being bad etc). Ebay's (The online auction site was one of the biggest losers after the Panda Update 4.0 ) one section is more penalized than other section.
  2. Average content or repetitive content - Most of the product had same or no content under the category

Panda Vs Penguin

Google considers 3 major signals:

  • Content signals - How information on the website is adding value, in data term and in signal terms. Bounce rates, CTRs etc play some role as well.
  • Link Signals - How popular is the website
  • Other Signals - How link or content has grown, what topic is being discussed, how consistent is discussion, how consistent is link signals, social signals, growth % etc. Google looks at all possible signals. It is no more about data. You having a million dollars in your back account is considered a rich data but how you got those million dollars is what is signals. This needs more discussions.

Penguin was more about Link Signals and Panda is more about content signals. Get your website audited with detailed report & suggestions

Do you need to worry about Panda 4.0?

Yes, if you create content for search engines; but no, if you understand search engine signals well and create content for users. If you are worried about your website, get an audit done. We charge $75 for a complete website audit which includes - 

  1. SEO Signals (LInk, Content etc)
  2. Social Signals 
  3. Competitor Analysis. 

We will suggest you a to-do list. Also, we can follow up with you regularly on the progess of the to-do list. Get Website Audited

 

 

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Google Panda 4.0 - Introduction

In 2003, we were hit with Florida Update (The dark Christmas it was), then we decided to follow "Google Algorithm free activities". Before entering into details, let us dive into Panda 4.0 update. Panda was first released in 2011, somewhere in Jan-Feb. It targeted the "Low quality or thin sites". The change impacted 10%+ & Panda 4.0 approx 7.5% of the web. From Google Panda 1.0 to 4.0, it was a long journey of significant improvements. Google has provided a list of factors that differentiate a great website from the rotten apples. Written in May 2011, same time when Panda discussions where Hot. Check add #Content section to get a clear insight. 

  1. Would you trust the information presented in this article? #Content By Bounce Rate, Referrals
  2. Is this article written by an expert or enthusiast who knows the topic well, or is it more shallow in nature? #Authorship
  3. Does the site have duplicate, overlapping, or redundant articles on the same or similar topics with slightly different keyword variations? #Duplicate content
  4. Would you be comfortable giving your credit card information to this site? #Trust #Best Practices like HTTPs, privacy policies etc
  5. Does this article have spelling, stylistic, or factual errors? #Content Best practices
  6. Are the topics driven by genuine interests of readers of the site, or does the site generate content by attempting to guess what might rank well in search engines? #Content signals
  7. Does the article provide original content or information, original reporting, original research, or original analysis? #Content Duplicate
  8. Does the page provide substantial value when compared to other pages in search results? #Content Value
  9. How much quality control is done on content? #Content Best practices
  10. Does the article describe both sides of a story? #Content Information value vs commercial value
  11. Is the site a recognized authority on its topic? #Content Authority tags
  12. Is the content mass-produced by or outsourced to a large number of creators, or spread across a large network of sites, so that individual pages or sites don’t get as much attention or care? #Content Mass UGC
  13. Was the article edited well, or does it appear sloppy or hastily produced? #Content Best practices
  14. For a health related query, would you trust information from this site? #Content Website Trust
  15. Would you recognize this site as an authoritative source when mentioned by name? #Content #Brand Value
  16. Does this article provide a complete or comprehensive description of the topic? #Content Length
  17. Does this article contain insightful analysis or interesting information that is beyond obvious? #Content Unique content
  18. Is this the sort of page you’d want to bookmark, share with a friend, or recommend? #Content Signals
  19. Does this article have an excessive amount of ads that distract from or interfere with the main content? #Content #Purpose
  20. Would you expect to see this article in a printed magazine, encyclopedia or book? #Content #Duplicate
  21. Are the articles short, unsubstantial, or otherwise lacking in helpful specifics? #Content Length
  22. Are the pages produced with great care and attention to detail vs. less attention to detail? #Content #User Focus
  23. Would users complain when they see pages from this site? #Content User Signals

We all know Google follows smoke and mirror methods. The source of the name is based on magicians' illusions, where magicians make objects appear or disappear by extending or retracting mirrors amid a distracting burst of smoke. The expression may have a connotation of virtuosity or cleverness in carrying out such a deception. In Short, what Google says is not 100% applicable; this is what they want the world to believe in.