New Google Update 24th April

[xstu74]

Black and White sites hit, Who really knows exactly what they are targeting. But by targeting so many different variables, it keeps us guessing. All off page so i guess we have to wait for the dust to settle it aint over yet. I only had one site lose a couple of spots all others stable some gained, What ever the outcome most sites will be able to recover with a little work

 

[xstu74]

Disagree!!!

If that was the case sites that I had created and purposely got dodgyish links to and not great content wouldn't have climbed places, where as sites i've not got any dodgy links for, good content, serves a purpose has dropped!

This algo is related to off page so i dont think content is being considered, whatever there doing they have got it wrong lots of spammy sites with shit content at the top of search results. We know part of the algo is related to paid links but the other factors is all guess work. All we do know is its failed 100%

A liitle while ago Matt Cutts suggested that search would be made a more level playing field were great content with little off page SEO would by able to compete, that suggests to me maybe this is double toothed off page seo now then a further algo related to on page. That would more likely have the desired results and remove what we are seeing in search results now.

Yep had a few vodys but ill stick with that theroy

 

[Alien]

5 sites up, 0 sites down.

I don't know a lot about SEO, I don't follow seomoz, seobook, etc... I just write content on my sites and occasionally guest blog for others, everything seems peachy at the moment

And that (content) is the one main constant in all of this...

OK, I'm biased, but it's true - consistently add decent, original, useful, well-researched/written and enjoyable/informative content - thus building your site properties on stone, not quick sand.

 

[crazihos]

Originally Posted by julian
having done this shit for over 10 years if your sites been affected in some way then there is something wrong with your site - you might think it ticks all the pink hat seo boxes and its the mutts nuts but its obviously not..

If you just do it properly and play the game on the sites you really care about then you'll be fine!

Even if that were true it doesn't improve the search results. Thousands of great sites have gone because they overused anchor texts (in most niches you had to to get traffic).

Of course you can argue that they have got their just desserts but great sites have to be included in googles results, replacing them with also-rans may be morally correct but it's shit for users.

 

[xstu74]

Even if that were true it doesn't improve the search results. Thousands of great sites have gone because they overused anchor texts (in most niches you had to to get traffic).

Of course you can argue that they have got their just desserts but great sites have to be included in googles results, replacing them with also-rans may be morally correct but it's shit for users.

This:
A little while ago Matt Cutts suggested that search would be made a more level playing field were great content with little off page SEO would by able to compete, that suggests to me maybe this is double toothed off page seo now then a further algo related to on page. That would more likely have the desired results and remove what we are seeing in search results now.

If you have over used anchor text then youve got a Google slap they dont care theres plenty of site out there with excellent on page content to replace the slapped sites.

 

[dazc]

To play devil's advocate...not necessarily. If I do a search for some kind of tradesman, do I want a spammy directory, an affiliate/blog site or a real tradesman who is too busy working to worry or learn about SEO? .

The guy you want probably doesn't even have a website. Maybe not so much in the US but definitely here.

 

[dazc]

Disagree!!!

If that was the case sites that I had created and purposely got dodgyish links to and not great content wouldn't have climbed places, where as sites i've not got any dodgy links for, good content, serves a purpose has dropped!

Yeah, the idea is great in theory but in practice it doesn't look like it's worked out so well. Not even google are saying it has.

 

[dazc]

If you have over used anchor text then youve got a Google slap they dont care theres plenty of site out there with excellent on page content to replace the slapped sites.

And if you didn't over use anchor text and was replaced by sites with no content?

It isn't the concept you describe that people are complaining about - it's the instances where this update has been a complete f*** up.

 

[crazihos]

If you have over used anchor text then youve got a Google slap they dont care theres plenty of site out there with excellent on page content to replace the slapped sites.

I don't agree - that's why a lot of the results are so bad at the moment.

Lots of the best content sites have used anchor links to rank and used the income generated to plough back into good content making them the best sites in the niche.

Or the flip side - people have built amazing content sites, not got any traffic as content alpne didnt work, so they have then employed seos who got them anchor links. These sites are just as screwed.

Which ever way you look at it countless numbers of great content sites have now gone.

 

[xstu74]

And if you didn't over use anchor text and was replaced by sites with no content?

It isn't the concept you describe that people are complaining about - it's the instances where this update has been a complete f*** up.

As this algo is no doubt targeting so many different variables its pointless trying to pin it on specifics at this point and i would be pissed as anyone if my sites had been hit but... It isnt over yet still on going now so i guess we will have to wait and see what the end results are but i personally think the end objective is what i have stated in my previous post

 

[xstu74]

I don't agree - that's why a lot of the results are so bad at the moment.

Lots of the best content sites have used anchor links to rank and used the income generated to plough back into good content making them the best sites in the niche.

Or the flip side - people have built amazing content sites, not got any traffic as content alpne didnt work, so they have then employed seos who got them anchor links. These sites are just as screwed.

Which ever way you look at it countless numbers of great content sites have now gone.

Dont get me wrong this is just a personal view after a few vodka's i guess it will all be revealed in a few days, its not to say alot of the sites hit will not recover but whats more then sure is this is sticking

 

[dazc]

but i personally think the end objective is what i have stated in my previous post

I don't think any fair minded person would disagree with this but - as google have found so far- attaining the objective isn't so easy.
The biggest problem they have is that you can not produce great content and earn money - and if you can't earn money then you can't produce great content. So there is only varying degrees of average out there and no amount of tweaking will change this.
Result - nobody is producing great content and giving it away so Google is fighting a losing battle but making money while doing it? I'm sure that wasn't the intention but it's where we are now?

 

[xstu74]

But then 1000's of affilate sites ranking high with great content dosent make for a great user experience or a great serch engine...Take the pay day market thousands of sites a hand full of lenders confusing for the user? (by the way im not defending Google)

 

[dazc]

But then 1000's of affilate sites ranking high with great content dosent make for a great user experience or a great serch engine...Take the pay day market thousands of sites a hand full of lenders confusing for the user? (by the way im not defending Google)

I agree with you. I was looking for a hotel the other day and, as an affiliate I ought to be quite savvy about this, but found the whole experience totally confusing and very annoying.
I don't know what the answer is really other than there just been one simple comparison service which is efficient and reliable - we know who'll give us this eventually don't we. Not saying (as some may?) it's a conspiracy - more of a natural evolution?

 

[Bailey]

Yep as stated. The ultimate aim of Google is to hit the thousands upon thousands of sites that are pure portals to end-sellers (no matter how well built and managed). I know we can site Amazon etc etc etc. But it's about clearing out the page rank for the tons of small affilate sites.

There will be some unintentional victims that Google will probably try to address. But, cleaning-up the Google user experience is necessary to retain their advertisers income by maintaining the search experience..

You can understand where they are coming from - just have to work to, and around as always. There will probably be sites that are traditionally "Agents" of products and services, ie insurance etc that may avoid some of the sting of the new metrics

 

[rob]

Revolution not evolution.

I evolve , not revolve. Or vice-versa.

 

[retired_member33]

Well spoken by The Don!

Don whiskey that is

Yep as stated. The ultimate aim of Google is to hit the thousands upon thousands of sites that are pure portals to end-sellers (no matter how well built and managed). I know we can site Amazon etc etc etc. But it's about clearing out the page rank for the tons of small affilate sites.

There will be some unintentional victims that Google will probably try to address. But, cleaning-up the Google user experience is necessary to retain their advertisers income by maintaining the search experience..

You can understand where they are coming from - just have to work to, and around as always

 

[Bailey]

Well spoken by The Don!

Don whiskey that is

Not tonight Prodomains - I'm as sober as a judge unfortunately

 

[retired_member33]

So am I

Not tonight Prodomains - I'm as sober as a judge unfortunately

 

[Bailey]

Maybe this thread or a new one tomorrow will take a different stance - looking at the impact such ongoing changes will have to all our business models. and how we are all going to address them