In Google and in everything else, the only constant is change. This is truer than ever with the important updates on the algorithm. Often, SEO and users don’t even pick up these updates, as most of them are small. At times, however, Google does release some major ones. The two most recent are the Penguin 4.0 update released on the 23rd of September 2016 and the Possum update released on the 1st of September, 2016. Previous updates include Pigeon, Penguin, EMD Update, Farmer/Panda, Vince and Caffeine. There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to dealing with these constant updates.
Remain Calm
It can be stressful to receive constant news of updated algorithms. The fact is that Google never really gives out a detailed list. It is no use to panic about stuff that does not come with a lot of information, particularly when it is a new release. You will just waste energy and time feeling stressful. You can of course get as much information as you can with the most recent Google update called Penguin 4.0. There were a few changes done but you do know what to expect with the details you have provided. For one thing, Penguin is supposed to be more granular and another thing is that Penguin is now in real time.
Before this information came out, a lot of people made speculations about what the Penguin 4.0 would require. Some were mistaken while others were right. One thing you can count on is that the moment you feel panic or anxiety about the update and start making attempts to guess what the new requirements are; you will just be wasting time. For this reason, every time you know there is a looming update, remain calm. Know the facts before giving way to panic.
Adjust Where Necessary
Keep yourself calm and find as much information as you can about the new update. Making necessary adjustments after you are fully informed is your next step. It is not always easy to know where to start. Read the Google Webmaster blog and look at the targets of the updates. If your website is not affected, there may be nothing you need to work on. For example, Possum was created to remove spam and to target local SEO. Google didn’t really give out a lot of information about Possum. However, in the SEO community, there was enough of a shake up for some people to panic.
Don’t React Immediately
The next step is not to immediately react. It is of course a real temptation to go ahead and make quick alterations to your website depending on what you assume the new update is about. On the other hand, this usually turns out to be time wasted. Rather, the intelligent thing to do is to see if the update has an impact on your site. Usually, when your SEO is done correctly, there won’t be negative reactions that happen to your site. You may even be pleasantly surprised that the search engine friendliness of your site has gotten a boost from the new update. Hey, you never really know.
The mission that Google has is to give their users the best search engine results. This is the reason there is constant change to the algorithms. This is to push better sites created by webmasters, better content and an all-around better experience. Updates such as these are more than just having to tweak your SEO. As a matter of fact, Google knows how important SEO is. What they hate is anything black hat.
What if there is No Information?
Okay, let’s face it- Google does not always spill the beans about every little update it creates. In fact, you will probably have to do your own digging on most of these. One tip is to read only credible sites about what the updates mean and whether or not these will affect you. Naturally, you can feel a bit unnerved about the lack of information that is revealed when a new update is released. There are experts you can rely on, however and the key really is to go to only the most credible sites. This is of particular importance when Google does not give you all the details or the entire breakdown of everything. When you do site adjustments after an update, make sure that you don’t do a major overhaul. Rather, do changes one at a time. This way, you will see how your adjustments made an overall impact. You will get a better picture of what is really going on when you take baby steps.
It can be quite unnerving to face major algorithm updates. On the other hand, if you followed all the correct and proper guidelines when you did your SEO such as creating content that is focused on users, creating great content with high quality, earning every link from sites with specified niches and which were credible, you will probably be safe. On the flip side of the coin, Google will probably try and come after you if you use spun content and have been buying link after link. If you get an alert that a new update has been done, remain calm. Check to see if this will make an impact on your website. If needed, you can go ahead and make small adjustments. You might not know how Google will rank your site all the time. However, one thing you can be sure of is that Google will put its users first and that when you have a credible, high quality and organic website which focuses on the needs of your viewers, you will most likely retain your high rank.
