Google Panda is an algorithm that filters websites into two groups — sites it likes and sites it doesn’t like. The sites that Panda “likes” are upgraded in Google’s search results, while the ones it doesn’t like get downgraded.
Why You Should Care
If your website is breaking some of Panda’s rules your ranking could plummet, making it harder for you to connect with customers. If you adhere to the new rules, and implement an SEO* strategy that Panda likes, you’ll be in much better shape. (* SEO is an acronym for Search Engine Optimization)
Here’s a list of top Panda dos and don’ts:
DO
Make sure you have original content on all your pages. Make sure this content has some guts and passion to it. Original and boring won’t cut it with human eyes or the eyes of Panda. Your content has to be engaging and interesting — offering value and relevance to the reader. If you don’t have someone on staff who can accomplish this, hire a copywriter who can.
Use keywords correctly in each web page as part of your SEO strategy. Keyword phrase choice, placement and density all play a part in where you’ll rank. To learn more about this, read Content Rich by Jon Wuebben, or another book that focuses on SEO.
Since we’re talking about keywords, make sure to utilize two types of keywords and keyword phrases:
- First, employ ones that customers are using to find your type of company. For example, a law office or an ice cream shop. I call these “umbrella” keywords because they are an overview of your company and what it does.
- The second type of keywords are “organic.” They are the phrases that naturally occur in each web page, and they are more specific to the TOPIC of that particular web page. What type of law office are you, and what kinds of clients do you provide service to? What type of ice cream shop are you — organic, no GMOs, no trans fat? What flavors do you offer, and do you have a party room?
Use Market Samurai, a free SEO strategy tool, to help you choose good keywords and keyword phrases. Make sure you understand how to use this tool by reviewing the videos in their DOJO. Use this for your umbrella keywords and your organic keywords. If you don’t, it’s like throwing darts at a dartboard in the dark, while you’re blindfolded.
Write for the reader, not the search engine. If you have nothing relevant to say on a web page, just delete it! Panda hates pages that have been created for the sole purpose of increasing traffic. Google Panda fancy’s pages that are full of relevant content, written with “passion.” Yes, algorithms are now smart enough to know (for the most part) if you’re posting with sincerity or if you’re just greedy for more traffic.
DON’T
Lift content from other websites. Write your own.
Cut corners on keywords and keyword phrases. A successful SEO strategy entails taking the time you need to create pages that are optimized well.
Be boring. If a web page is boring to you, it’s probably boring to everyone else (including Panda).
Create web pages with the mindset of getting more traffic. Instead, create web pages that people will get excited about. This will get you more traffic AND more business. Plus Google Panda will like you.
The following were gleaned from Beating Google’s Panda Update – 5 Deadly Content Sins, by Cyrus Shepard.
- Don’t fill your web pages with ads
- Don’t fill you web pages with a “heavy template” that repeats on every page. This leaves not room for original content, and makes Panda want to squash your site down.
- Don’t use auto-generated content.
For more information on Google Panda and SEO strategy, visit SEOMOZ, or check out Search Engine Land.
Related Links:
- Google Panda and the Myth of Keyword Density
- Is Your Website Fresh Enough for Google Panda
- Google Panda and the Black Hole Effect
