What is GDPR?
Google Fred Algorithm Update
In March this year, Google launched an algorithm update. Anyone looking at search results on a regular basis will have all noticed the ton of movement within Google SERPs (Search Engine Result Pages). As we’ve all come to expect, Google will always update and will rarely confirms algorithm updates these days. We just knew that it happened when, Google released an update, which was jokingly labelled by Google’s Gary Illyes as “Fred” before it was confirmed.
Unlike previous significant updates, you’ll have noticed an inexplicable increase or decrease in your rankings; content-rich sites are good, poor content sites are bad. Sites found to be offending the latest standards and practices set by Fred – Google update have an internet traffic dip by as much as 80%. It’s designed to hit hard against websites that Google deems poor SEO practices that lower the general quality of online content in pursuit of higher rankings.
What bad techniques got caught by Fred?
Fred appears to be focused on several popular techniques that were once upon a time more in the “gray hat” column, or a little manipulative but certainly not illegal or unprofessional. Google has now, used its position as leader of internet searches, pushed such practices into the black hat category.
Low quality content – Google wants content that are informative, not repetitive just to serve as a vehicle for keywords, and not thin on the topic. Well-written contents will not only improve your rankings but also attract more people to visit your website.
Too much advertising – Websites now layered in thick ads that are deceptive or intrusive to the user experience, will mark you down in the search results.
Too many affiliate links – sites make extra profit by linking to a seller and frequently receiving a commission in return and sites that have too many affiliate links which detract the user’s experience are getting penalised by Google. Make sure your affiliate links aren’t out of control, and remove any if necessary.
Backlinks – Aim for quality links, having quality backlinks are important to increase your authority in Google. Links coming from irrelevant pages and have anchor text filled with spam words will lead to penalties from Google. Check your backlinks and remove the bad ones will stand you in good stead for this update and ones in the future.
Broken links – Google has never liked broken links, and most updates involves harsher penalties for broken links. Check for broken links, then repair and remove them.
Repeating long tail keywords – Long tail keywords are highly targeted phrases that consist of at least four words. Using it a few times is probably fine. Doing it over and over again, Google sees this as scamming the system. It knows that some sites just plug in common keywords into analytics and use whatever similar long tail keywords that don’t have much of a presence online.
To Conclude
Fred search algorithm updates isn’t gonna be the first. Any SEO actions you were planning to benefit your website will work as long as those actions were SEO-centric optimizations.
The key to handle Fred’s update (and the many more to come), is to always be adding new, valuable, relevant, and provide quality easy to read, useful content on your website. Don’t forget to perform regular backlinking optimizations(only white hat backlinks) and create a timeline for long-term strategic SEO tactics.
SEO isn’t a set it and forget it marketing method, it requires time, commitment, and adjustments. Focus on quality, be patience and wait for improvement, and you should have no problems at all.
Need SEO on your website? Or are you looking for a new website which is SEO friendly? You can discuss your website goals and marketing objectives, VoovaDigital will SEO-centric optimization your website and not being affected by search algorithm updates.
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