This latest algo update this is being rolled out is predicted to impact around 3% of search queries, and to put that into perspective, the original Panda algorithm was said to affect around 12% of all queries. However, us SEO's have learned to take Google's percentile predictions
with a pinch of salt after Matt Cutts stated that the "(not provided)"
keyword would account for less than 10% of all website traffic.
Before releasing any details on the algorithm update itself, Google kindly gave us some background information on how they feel about search engine optimisation. This is likely to counter the speculation from some SEO circles when Google make an announcement, the most recent example is the speculation that followed misreporting of the "over-optimization" penalty, which Matt Cutts discussed at SXSW. There was a suggestion that his speech was perhaps 'anti-SEO', however, those who have read the transcript of listened to the talk in full will know that this couldn't be further from the truth.
In this latest blog, Google have left no room for debate as they empathically state that: "SEO can be positive and constructive", "search engine optimization can make a site more crawlable and make individual pages more accessible" and "'White hat' search engine optimizers often improve the usability of a site, help create great content, or make sites faster, which is good for both users and search engines." These are only a few examples of the positive endorsement that ethical, organic white-hat SEO received from Google in this blog. The problem G have is with those who manipulate and game the system and rob search users of the quality user experience that they expect, I of course refer to the propagators of Black Hat SEO. As mentioned, it is sites that use black hat SEO tactics and violate the Webmaster Guidelines that will be hit by this algo update, in an attempt by Google to return higher quality search results.
Before releasing any details on the algorithm update itself, Google kindly gave us some background information on how they feel about search engine optimisation. This is likely to counter the speculation from some SEO circles when Google make an announcement, the most recent example is the speculation that followed misreporting of the "over-optimization" penalty, which Matt Cutts discussed at SXSW. There was a suggestion that his speech was perhaps 'anti-SEO', however, those who have read the transcript of listened to the talk in full will know that this couldn't be further from the truth.
In this latest blog, Google have left no room for debate as they empathically state that: "SEO can be positive and constructive", "search engine optimization can make a site more crawlable and make individual pages more accessible" and "'White hat' search engine optimizers often improve the usability of a site, help create great content, or make sites faster, which is good for both users and search engines." These are only a few examples of the positive endorsement that ethical, organic white-hat SEO received from Google in this blog. The problem G have is with those who manipulate and game the system and rob search users of the quality user experience that they expect, I of course refer to the propagators of Black Hat SEO. As mentioned, it is sites that use black hat SEO tactics and violate the Webmaster Guidelines that will be hit by this algo update, in an attempt by Google to return higher quality search results.
