Anyone who has a website or a blog that is monetized has heard of the Google Panda Algorithm. They may not be all that familiar with what it is, or how it affects them, but it is not a foreign term. The Google Panda is actually a change to the original algorithm which was released several years ago. This change acts as a filter to help keep sites with poor quality content from making it to the top of the search results.  The goal for Panda is to help ensure that visitors using the Google Search Engine have a smooth surfing experience and are able to visit sites with valuable high-quality content.

Panda Updates And Rank Changes

The good news is that the algorithm is now part of Google’s core ranking measure and it is updated regularly. This means that any site hit by Panda does have a chance to recover if they make the right changes. Recovery does take a little bit, but organic rankings will improve slowly over time. That concludes the briefing on the definition of the Panda Algorithm. Now, see how to avoid a Panda hit.

What Prompts A Panda Strike?

One of the best ways to do this is to create valuable content based on research relevant to the industry. Don’t pack the content full of keywords and forget the actual content. A visitor should get some sort of value from visiting the page.

It is also important to avoid grammatical errors and huge distracting images that don’t do anything for the page. Duplicate pages and duplicate text are also a big no-no. Images are okay if they add value, but the line is very thin. Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes of all is spinning articles, especially if it is done with software. Panda recognizes this immediately and down the page goes.

Recovering From A Google Panda Strike

When Panda was first rolled out, it penalized poor content. This means that the entire domain didn’t suffer because of one poor quality page. That is no longer the case. A single poor-quality page can mean significant drops in organic traffic because the entire domain is now penalized in the rankings. With this information in mind, here are recovery techniques.

If you’ve already been hit by Panda, recovery is possible and its crucial to the survival of the site. The first thing to do is a site audit. Whether it is personally done or assigned out is of no consequence if it is done properly. Start by deleting duplicate pages and beefing up low-quality content. Then move on to the structure of the content and the keywords.

Length And Keywords

Ensure that the content on the site is detailed and researched. For example, it would be easy to write about how to change your oil in a few easy steps with numbers. However, if it is written in article form with detailed instructions and a few relevant images it will be more valuable to readers. It will also rank much higher with the search engines which means it will be easier for visitors to find.

It is also important to use keywords and LSI keywords, but they must be placed properly. Contrary to popular belief it does matter where they are placed in the article. Make sure keywords are in the H1, H2 and H3 tags and try to maintain a consistent keyword density. It is also important not to over-optimize content. Shoot for around seventy-five percent and the results will be great.

Petting The Panda

It has been said that the best defense is a good offense, and this is especially true when it comes to Panda strikes. Ensure that your site is packed full of high-quality content that comes from good authority and the Panda won’t be so scary. It is much easier to avoid a Panda strike than to recover from one. Use the tips in this article to help you do that.