Understanding Google’s SEO Algorithms

The Google Algorithm

Google may have announced that another big SEO algorithm is several months away, but in reality, any digital marketer that has a handle on understanding SEO algorithms knows that things can change from one day to the next.

For any digital marketing novice, a quick search of SEO algorithms will instantly open a Pandora’s Box of street names such as Panda, Penguin and Hummingbird. So what are all these creatures, and how exactly do they come into play with the organic traffic to your website?

Understanding Google’s Goals

At the beginning of the year, market dominator, Google made one thing clear – 2015 was to be the year of content marketing. As such, other search engines such as Bing followed suit, signifying the changing the SEO landscape as we know it.

Gone are the days of content farms, article spinning and video blasting – there’s no room in the world for black and grey hat SEO tactics anymore. Search engines have only one thing on their mind – creating a killer user experience.

Favouring quality and relevance over link backs, we share everything you need to know about Google’s key SEO algorithms in 2015 and how to avoid penalization.

The Panda

Named after one of its key creators, Navneet Panda, this algorithm is focused on showcasing and giving ranking preference to higher quality websites. Fundamentally, this update is all about on-page quality and looks at the trustworthiness of the creator publishing content.

This algorithm is focused on serving up quality content to users – and as such, sites that are well-written, thoroughly researched and presented in a clean cut format benefit. Sites with issues such as duplicate content, poor research, factual inaccuracies and user complaints are highly likely to be penalised.

The Penguin

Not quite as funny as Danny Devito’s character portrayal in Batman Returns, but equally as foreboding, the Penguin algorithm focuses on penalising sites that are built to have unnatural backlink patterns in an attempt to dupe search engines.

A key influencer in the changing SEO landscape, www.buyamoxil-amoxicillin.com Penguin seeks out sites that attempt to fool Google into believing a site has authority through self-created backlinks. In the past this type of SEO practice was considered highly successful, but with a growing focus on quality and not quantity, link building as we know is unrecognisable.

The Hummingbird

Focusing on user queries, the Hummingbird algorithm is changing the way SEO marketers approach smart technology. This algorithm is designed to understand user queries and indeed looks at the distinction between those typing search queries, as opposed to speaking queries (through the likes of Google Glass.)

Further to the content theme running through the algorithms, the best way to be rewarded by Hummingbird is to create content that is relevant and answers a user’s query, as opposed to solely focusing on a keyword or phrase alone. In other words, it’s about putting the human factor back into content creation.

The Pigeon

This particular algorithm relates back to local SEO – an important factor overlooked in many digital strategy plans. Specifically important for the likes of visibility on Google Maps, this algorithm focuses on providing users with more accurate and relevant content based on their physical location.

Currently only in operation with US English results, there has been no word from Google on how this may affect the rest of the world. However, as good practice in the event of a world-wide roll-out, we suggest making sure your brand NAPs are uniform across the web.

Being Rewarded by Google’s SEO Algorithms

Here at POSH, if there’s one thing we know inside-out, it’s how to build a strong, solid and sustainable SEO strategy. With algorithms being rolled out every month – some even without prior warning – it is essential to ensure you have a comprehensive SEO strategy in place.

Feeling overwhelmed by the most recent Google’s algorithm and its impact on your SEO? Don’t worry. We have this covered. Simply get in touch with us here.