The Gervais Group Interprets Algorithm Updates and Other Changes at Google
(PRWEB) September 26, 2013 -- The Gervais Group, a leader in search engine optimization (SEO) services since its 2001 debut, recently shared its interpretation of Google’s big algorithm updates and other changes that have been implemented on the search engine’s results pages (SERPS). The 2 recent major algorithm updates started with the “Panda” update that was rolled out in its original version on February 24th, 2011 and was subsequently updated with approximately 24 changes of varying degrees over the following 21 months.
Google’s second major algorithm change, which was called a webspam update and later dubbed “Penguin”, was introduced on April 24th 2012 and then updated two times over the next 6 months. Of the two updates, the original Panda update affected the most websites, with over 12% of searches in the U.S. being penalized for a variety of content related issues including low value content, published works on content farms, and pages loaded with advertisements. The initial rollout of the Penguin update affected about 3% of U.S. searches, with the algorithm change targeting webspam tactics such as buying backlinks that originated from link farms.
According to Jason Gervais, Senior Project Manager at the Gervais Group, the number of sites that were affected in percentage terms is not an accurate measure of the disruptive force of these changes. “Both algorithm changes were essentially targeting websites that had engaged in shady SEO practices”, said Gervais. He added “If you toss out the sites where SEO tactics were never used, such as personal blogs and abandoned sites, the percentage of sites that were penalized while paying for SEO services is much higher.”
Mr. Gervais’ observations were supported by the findings of a survey conducted in early 2013 by SEO Roundtable, which found that 64% of the websites that were surveyed had been negatively affected by the Penguin update. Of the 64% that were affected, 81% had shown no recovery. “In the conversations I’ve had with the owners of e-commerce sites that have been affected by Google’s tightened standards, the best description of the tone is ‘Paralysis by confusion,’” said Gervais.
He added, “Our premise has always been that the brand building that develops as a result of focusing on quality content both on and off of a website is the best way to grow e-commerce revenues. Google has basically eliminated instant gratification SEO, meaning that businesses need to re-focus their efforts toward delivering a positive user experience at every touch point on the web.”
The Gervais Group creates customized strategies for e-commerce websites that facilitate brand building, increased traffic, and increased revenues.
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The Gervais Group, since its launch in 2001, has delivered cost effective results for e-commerce businesses of all sizes across a broad scope of industries. For more information, visit http://www.gervaisgroup.com/.
Jason Gervais, Gervais Group, http://www.gervaisgroup.com, +1 (800) 381-9358, [email protected]
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