As you are probably aware, during the past 12 to 18 months the internet marketing community has been turned upside down by the changes in the Google search ranking algorithm. These changes have become known as the Panda and Penguin updates.
The first Panda update came in February of 2011, with several additional Panda updates occurring since then. The objective of the Panda update was to lower the rankings of what the industry refers to as “low quality” or “thin” websites. With Panda, Google wants to reward “high quality” sites that are full of original content and give the web searcher (i.e website visitor) a richer “visiting” experience.
The Panda update is all about “content.” Thin websites and web properties with low quality content (e.g. spun content, poorly written PLR content) got absolutely hammered by Google. Also, thin sites built around keyword domains (i.e. Sniper Sites) took a heavy hit from the Panda update.
With the Google Panda update the message was clear: “Google wants original content that enriches the user experience and adds value to the market.”
The Google Penguin algorithm update initially came in April of 2012. This update was targeted toward search engine marketers who were trying to manipulate Google’s search rankings with blackhat SEO techniques such as keyword stuffing, link cloaking, and deceptive link building strategies.
While the Panda update targeted content, the Penguin update was geared more toward linking and forced SEO tactics like the use of blog networks.
The result is that literally thousands of online marketers went out of business during the past year because of the Panda and Penguin updates. They put their businesses at risk by trying to game Google and they got caught with their pants down.
Google has sent a resounding message: “Building a business my manipulating the search engines is not a long-term web business strategy because the days of trying to force your way to Page One are long gone.”
Because of the changes that Google has made with their search rankings algorithm, a lot of search engine marketers have decided to pack their bags and leave the business. They don’t want to play in this business because there is a set of new rules. The easy way to Page One is a thing of the past. The days of using automated blogging software and blog networks for link building are now history.
Today, you actually have to add value to the market and produce quality, original content to get long-term rankings in Google. But this takes work and it takes time, and a large percentage of internet marketers want no part of this because they want instant results.
The Google Panda and Penguin updates have given us a barrier to entry into the search engine marketing business and I absolutely love it.
While a large percentage of the marketplace has been screaming bloody murder over the recent changes that Google has made, there have been a few of us who are excited about the Panda and Penguin updates. You see, the Google Panda and Penguin updates have put up a barrier to entry into the search engine marketing business and I absolutely love it.
And I believe that all marketers who are want a lasting business that is built on great content that “serves” a specific market should also be celebrating.
Because of the changes that Google has made in how they rank sites, I honestly believe that “NOW” is a great time to get into organic search. Today the field of play is now level.
The blog networks and other black hat SEO strategies used by marketers to force their way onto Page One do not work any more. Google caught up with these manipulators and they have paid a heavy price. And for many of them their businesses are now in shambles.
Google basically said — we know what you are doing and we are on to your game, and we are not going to allow you to trick your way to the top spot of our search engine any longer.
The playing field has not just been leveled, it is now tilted toward marketers who did not try to game Google. You see, many sites that were ranked near the top of the search engines are now at a big disadvantage because of harsh penalties levied by Google.
Now — are you beginning to see how this represents a massive business opportunity for online marketers who are willing to play by the rules?
Do you see what a great opportunity this is for web business builders who are willing to do the “hard work” and give Google what it wants — original content that adds value to the marketplace and a backlink structure that is organic in nature?”
Everything in this business is changing. Facebook ad prices are soaring. For the past couple of years Google Adwords prices have increased dramatically. And now the SEO landscape has changed dramatically.
What I find amazing is that there are people in this business who are still trying to manipulate their way to the top of Google. There are blog networks that have not acknowledged the carnage they have caused and they are still promising high rankings to uninformed customers who either don’t know better or who are completely new to this business.
PLEASE . . . don’t let this happen to you!!!
Don’t put your entire online business in Google’s crosshairs by using public blog networks and other blackhat SEO strategies. It’s not worth it.
Build your business for the long-term. Give Google original content that helps people in your market solve their problems. I know it takes work and it is the slow road to online profits. But it is also the road to lasting prosperity for you and your business.
There literally is opportunity everywhere! But you have to be willing to work and you have to be willing to add value to the market you are serving.
By the way, the Google Panda and Penguin updates are not over. You can go over to this page on SEOmoz and read all about the recent updates in the Google search algorithm.
While many internet marketers dread each update because they fear their sites are going to lose their rankings, I actually look forward to each update. And once you start building your internet business in a manner that is congruent with what Google want, you too will look forward to these updates.
I know there are many people in this market who will disagree with me. That’s fine. We are all entitled to our opinions and we all have to live with the consequences of our decisions.
A few months ago I made a post on this blog about my concerns regarding new blog network called SEO Link Monster. Many people in the market disagreed with me and thought SEO Link Monster was going to be the next “big thing.” They were wrong.
At the end of this post I said:
Lastly, don’t become obsessed with link building to the point where you lose sight of the most powerful thing you can do to improve your search engine rankings — and that is to add “CONTENT” to your blog.
That’s right — good old-fashioned content. I’m talking about unique content that adds value to the marketplace. That right there is the “Silver Bullet” to rankings that last.
In this new age of Google Panda and Penguin, publishing good old-fashion original content is not just the silver bullet to rankings that last. It is also the silver bullet to building an online business that is here to stay.
All the best,
Jon Poland
P.S. If you found value in this post, please share it with your friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter. And of course, your feedback is welcome in the blog comments.
Speak Your Mind