Google Panda SEO Techniques

Welcome to the new world of Google Panda SEO. In my 8 years of doing SEO, I have seen hundreds of Google updates and algorithm changes but the recent Google Panda Updates have changed the game forever! Before I get too deep into explaining the new Panda SEO techniques, I feel that it is important to take a deeper look at exactly what it is that Google is trying to achieve with these new Panda updates. You can also read my more encompassing article titled, Post Panda SEO.

What are the Google Panda Updates?

On February 24th 2011, Google launched what would become a series of algorithm updates that would effect their search results and improve user experience by making high quality, relevant websites easier to find. These updates became known as the infamous Panda Updates. Since then Google has rolled out 6 more Panda updates listed below...

• Panda Update 1.0: Feb 24, 2011
• Panda Update 2.0: Apr 11, 2011
• Panda Update 2.1: May 10, 2011
• Panda Update 2.2: June 16, 2011
• Panda Update 2.3: July 23, 2011
• Panda Update 2.4: Aug 12, 2011
• Panda Update 2.5: Sept 28, 2011

This update first targeted what Google called content farms. Content farms are large websites that build up thousands of content in the effort to capture more search results. Over the past few years websites like Ezinearticles.com Ehow.com and Hubpages.com started dominating the search results making it harder for users to find exactly what they are looking for from the direct source. After slapping down content farms, Google went after websites that use spammy or sloppy link building techniques. Lastly, the Panda has become the most strict copy writing critic in the world by cracking down on poorly written content.

What Does this Mean for SEOs?

It means that the task of search engine optimization just got a lot harder. No longer do black hat tools and techniques wield power over the more labor intensive white hat SEO techniques. In post Panda SEO, you could run a few auto posting programs to rewrite and post articles creating hundreds of slightly different versions with a back link in each one. Now your SEO must be carried out by highly qualified individuals that have a good understanding of keyword research, web development, copy writing and content publishing.  This being said, SEO outsourcing has become even more critical when writing articles, link building and social media. It now takes a dedicated team of search engine optimizers to maintain steady growth of a website's search engine traffic.