On 25 April, Google released its latest ranking algorithm, now called the Penguin Update (for reasons known only to Google).
This has prompted much speculation about the impact of this new algorithm and, in particular, how it might affect your average website.
Since then, the same set of five to eight recommendations have arrived in my personal inbox from a number of reputable sources.
They are supposed to describe factors that seem to help search engine rankings post-Penguin. Here they are.
However, to be frank, most of these recommendations don’t seem like anything new. In fact, they only seem to reinforce what people who have a basic understanding of SEO already know. And one recommendation seems downright wrong.
So, rather than grin and suffer from my doubts, I commandeered the attention of Dominic Gluchowski, of SEO Falcon, to set things straight. (Apologies in advance for the sound and rickety camera work. You might need headphones for this one.)
Busting the myths of Google’s Penguin Update
Websites reportedly favoured by Penguin
- Websites with at least six pages of well written content of 400-800 words per page and lots of related keywords on those pages
- Websites with a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page
- Websites with customer reviews or customer testimonials
- Websites with low bounce rates and high reader engagement
- Websites with a contact page with the same street address that appears in Google Places, Yellow Pages and other online directories
- Websites with About Us page with pictures and a history of the business
- Websites with NO Google Analytics installed
- WordPress sites with the All in One SEO plugin installed and switched on
True or false? Watch the video.
