(PRWEB) November 22, 2013
A new list of predictions for the next Google Penguin algorithm update has just been published at ColinHaller.com. The new guide provides five possible variables that may be targeted by the next iteration of Google's infamous Penguin filter along with steps webmasters can take to avoid these potential pitfalls. The predictions can be found in full at http://www.colinhaller.com/google-penguin-predictions/.
Google Penguin is a fairly recent "filter" created to help Google improve search engine results by making it more difficult for SEO specialists and webmasters to manipulate the search giant's search engine result pages (SERPs). Triggering such a penalty can have devastating results for the websites owner as doing so can cause a 90% (or more) decrease in organic traffic to a given website. Even well-meaning webmasters have found themselves the victim of Penguin after hiring unscrupulous SEOs whose questionable tactics ultimately led to getting a Penguin penalty. In order to avoid these penalties going forward, the new guide provides webmasters with likely targets so that precautions can be taken today to prevent a penalty from occurring in the future.
According to the new article's creator, Colin Haller, Google Penguin filter is designed to filter out obvious outliers from the statistical norm. The first set of updates targeted anchor text (the text used in a link). The anchor of most naturally occurring links is the raw URL, so Google was easily able to target site owners or SEO providers that were making the majority of their links use targeted keywords as anchor text. According to Haller, the most recent update targeted the trustworthiness of a site's links, as it stands to reason that a site worthy of attracting thousands of natural links should at least have a few links from trusted authorities.
Haller believes that future Penguin updates will continue to target more forms of statistical abnormalities found in websites that are attempting to manipulate Google's search engine results. Haller believes the most likely target for the next update involves social signals. Using the rationale of finding outliers, it would be far beyond the statistical norm for a website to have thousands of natural links without at least some social buzz. It is much easier to get a social signal than it is to get a natural link, so sites which have many more links than social shares are a likely target.
About ColinHaller.com
ColinHaller.com is the personal blog Colin Haller, a digital marketing and search engine optimization consultant operating in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. areas. The blog focuses on providing marketers with updates and insights on the latest algorithm shifts as well as providing small business owners with strategies and tips for maximizing their online presence. A full list of his digital marketing and consulting services can be found at http://www.colinhaller.com/baltimore-services/.