Spam Attack!
Over the past few weeks, our humble friends at Google have been at it again with tweaks to the secret code that rules our search world.
With the past two updates to the algorithm, the last known as “Panda,” Google has clearly demonstrated that they are no longer taking their deteriorating search results lightly. Amidst rising complaints of poor search quality, junk content, and Search Engine Optimization strategists (SEO) dominating any statistically relevant terms, some of the long-time safe havens are also feeling the heat.
The biggest one we’ve heard about in our world is Ezine Articles, which has quickly had to adapt to the change in conditions. Despite adding some quality control measures, many established authors who have used this site as a hub to publish expert content have been feeling the heat.
In the Live Out Loud community alone, I’ve met with at least 5 individual authors and experts who have seen their traffic almost completely disappear due to the changes.
So, how do we combat Google’s epic smack down?
1. Be Legit.
MC Hammer - Internet Expert*
As renowned internet and cultural expert, M.C. Hammer (formerly just “Hammer,” now once again M.C.) once said, let’s be “Too Legit To Quit.” This means that your content should actually BE content, not just fodder for the SEO gods. This means that you have to go back to being creative about your keyword selections and embed them within content that the search engines won’t classify as “empty.”
2. Follow the Guidelines of Ezine Articles (or your hub) itself.
Ezine Articles just posted a blog in the past few days that discusses their new content filters and how to navigate through them without burning the bridges to Google. In short, it points you back to the first point listed here.
3. Organic SEO is the most reliable SEO
Playing chicken with Google by putting on your “black hat” (flying under the radar) can be a dangerous game if you don’t know how to play it well. This certainly doesn’t mean that there aren’t short term strategies that can be in your playbook, but the trusted and true advice is to stay on the right path.
In the end, you’ll find that quality content developed consistently with an actual marketing strategy is still going to be the tried and true formula for Internet Marketing Success.
*MC Hammer Photo used under
Creative Commons from
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mmemarilyn/474544624/
