Google Algorithm Shifts to Address Spam
SEO tactics are based on search rankings, and that typically means writing to address the Google algorithm. This is what determines where pages rank based on the search terms that the user inputs. It’s a complicated process and Google, to protect its intellectual property, does not like to provide specific details. They will address the goals of the updates, however, and confirm when they happen. Since they have recently done so, it’s important to take a moment to consider how these changes will work and what types of sites they are going to impact.
What Are Spam Results?
People often think of spam results as search results that are not applicable or relevant, but this doesn’t tell the whole story. The way Google defines span is far more specific. Generally, the sites are going to attempt to get the user to install malware, ask for personal information or set up a phishing scam. Google is attempting to protect users and to keep scammers from gaming the system so that their sites rank highly.
Spam sites may also include irrelevant sites that have been optimized to rank in search results where they don’t belong. But, other than that, the quality of the site doesn’t contribute to the “spam” designation. Google does optimize for quality sites that provide users with useful information, but they simply do that elsewhere and do not need to address it here.
What Would a Drop Mean?
Hopefully, your site will have nothing to worry about with this update. Most people who are running spam sites know exactly what they are doing. These specific sites should see a decline in the rankings, but there shouldn’t be too many surprising drops where a person or business doesn’t realize that their site qualifies as spam. It’s not an accident to get this designation.
That said, systems are not perfect and unexpected events happen. If your site suddenly dips in the rankings over the next month, it could be that you’ve been mistakenly flagged for some reason. It is usually possible to fix this issue — and your ranking — if you know what steps to take. That begins by identifying the problem and the reason for the drop in position.
Stay Up to Date
It’s always good to have up-to-date information about the Google algorithm and any potential changes. To optimize your site, fix issues it may have and get high-caliber content on a consistent basis, get in touch with us today.