SEO Guide: The Google Penguin Update

The Google Penguin update was a hammer blow to some of the most common blackhat SEO techniques around. In particular, the update aimed to eliminate unscrupulous SEO tactics, like webspam and purchasing backlinks.

This means that Penguin was one of the most substantial changes to the way Google indexes and ranks content.

As part of a series of major algorithm updates, Penguin sought to prioritise sites with the best content, rather than sites which tried the hardest to game the algorithm. A big part of this was closing some of the loopholes that helped sites to rank without providing value to users.

The crux of this is that many of the SEO strategies which were effective before Penguin became useless overnight. Others became outright harmful.

Today, we’ll look at what the Google Penguin update meant for SEO. But first, let’s look at the basics.

What is the Google Penguin Update?

As long as search engines have been around, marketers have tried to use ranking algorithms to their advantage. On the one hand, this can mean trying your best to meet the algorithm’s requirements.

Beyond this, it can also mean manipulating loopholes to achieve rankings, without providing any value to users.

The goal of the Penguin update was to close some of these loopholes.

Specifically, Penguin was created to take two loopholes relating to backlinks off the table:

1. Webspam,
2. Link manipulation.

In other words, Penguin made it more difficult to grow your traffic by gaining backlinks that you don’t really deserve. This came in the wake of the Google Panda update, which put backlinks at the centre of how a site’s credibility is worked out.

As backlinks became more important, more companies tried to gain them. Penguin is used to determine which of these actually signal the quality of a site. We’ll look at what this means in more detail shortly.

When Was the Penguin Update Introduced?

The Google Penguin update was first introduced in April 2012, with Google initially describing it as the Webspam Update. While the original Penguin update only impacted around 3% of all search queries, successive updates under the Penguin umbrella affected a further 10% of searches.

Unlike many Google algorithm updates, changes to Penguin are rolled out manually. The last major change occurred in 2016.

What Does the Penguin Update Affect?

Your site’s backlink profile is one of its most important ranking metrics. Essentially, when another website links to your content, Google views this as a vote of confidence in your site, leading to better rankings.

However, not every backlink is the same. For example, if a household brand cites original data which you’ve published on your site, this is a very different indicator of credibility than one you’ve purchased from a link farm.

Penguin is used to differentiate good links from bad ones.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the black hat SEO strategies which are penalised under Penguin.

Backlinks: Quality vs Quantity

Google takes account of both the quality and quantity of your backlinks. However, it isn’t the case that more backlinks is always better. The key to this is understanding how Google determines the quality of backlinks.

There are a handful of variables here:

1. The domain and page authority of the link source,
2. The relevance of the source page to the target page,
3. The nature of the link source,
4. The link’s anchor text.

It’s difficult to weigh up the exact ratio between quality and quantity which you should aim for. For example, if your domain authority is 40, one backlink from a site with a DA of 80 will have considerably more impact than hundreds of low DA links.

Webspam

Unfortunately, how you secure backlinks also plays a role in the impact they’ll have. The major innovation here was penalising what’s known as webspam. In short, this is any content which exists only to host backlinks.

Webspam comes in a number of forms, such as:

• Private blog networks,
• Link farms,
• Spam forum posts,
• Spam comments on authoritative blogs,
• Certain paid directories and listing sites,
• Any content with a low relevance to your site,
• Social media spam.

Essentially, these are all of the places where you can purchase backlinks en-masse.

Purchasing Backlinks

As should be pretty clear, one of the goals of the Google Penguin update was to make purchasing backlinks unviable. The question remains as to whether or not this has been effective.

Certainly, the above sources of paid links are no longer worth your while.

However, some sites still sell backlinks in different forms. Typically, this involves paying to publish original content on external sites. This is still typically not a cost effective strategy for building backlinks under Google Penguin.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the best white hat strategies for improving your domain authority.

How to Rank Under Google Penguin

We already know that you can’t manipulate the Google algorithm anymore, or leverage dodgy backlinks. In practice, to build your traffic through backlinks under Penguin, there are two things to prioritise:

• Securing quality backlinks,
• Ensuring that your site doesn’t have backlinks which harm your SEO.

Let’s take a look at how this works.

Conducting a Backlink Audit

As part of any SEO audit, it’s important to analyse your existing backlinks. There are a number of ways to do this, including by manually exporting and analysing your backlinks from Google Webmaster Tools.

Even better, SEO tools like Semrush can be used to do the bulk of this work for you.

Your goal here is to identify any backlinks which are going to do more harm than good. Look out for:

• Spammy sites,
• Private blog networks,
• Irrelevant links,
• Links from inappropriate sites,
• Links with a high toxicity score in Semrush,
• Low domain authorities.

Once you have identified which backlinks you’d like to get rid of, you have two options:

1. Requesting removal,
2. Disavowal.

Let’s take a look at each in turn.

Link Removal

Your first port of call when you find a link you’d like to remove is to contact the site’s owner. This can be difficult, but it’s still worth the effort. Really, there are two challenges:

1. Figuring out who to contact,
2. Convincing them to actually bother removing the link to your site.

Most of the time, you should be able to find a generic info@ email address for just about any site. Whether or not this will actually get you to the right person is another question. Your best bet is to use LinkedIn to try and find the person who’s actually responsible for content.

If they’re reasonable and not completely swamped, then hopefully they’ll action your request. You might even choose to reach out to a few different people with access to the site, to maximise your chances of success.

Link Disavowal

If you’re not successful with your removal request, the next step is to disavow any backlinks you want rid of. You shouldn’t do this until you’ve tried to have the links removed, as it is unlikely to be as effective.

In fact, there’s contention among SEO pros as to whether or not this actually does anything. Some people report spikes in traffic when toxic domains are disavowed. Others simply think it signals to Google that everything is above board with your backlink profile.

It’s a simple process though, so it’s worth doing in any case.

You should also be cautious to only disavow links which you are sure are toxic. Disavowing backlinks which are actually useful will harm your SEO.

Head to Google Webmaster tools and upload a .txt file of all of the links you’d like to disavow.

You might choose to do this at regular intervals, just to keep your backlink profile spotless.

How to Score Quality Backlinks

Finally, in order to rank under the Google Penguin update, you’ll need to know how to score quality backlinks. The key indicators of quality under Penguin are:

• Domain authority,
• Page relevance,
• Anchor text.

Since backlinks have become more important for SEO, securing them has also become more competitive. As a minimum, you should enter your website onto relevant, high authority business listing sites.

Beyond this, the most effective way to improve your backlink profile is through guest posting. This means reaching out to high authority players in your niche, and creating original content for their blogs, which include a link back to your content.

Alternatively, you might consider content syndication. However, this is often a risky strategy, and under Penguin you might even harm your rankings if you do it incorrectly. As with any SEO strategy, if you’re unsure of what to do, it’s best to engage a digital agency.

Understanding the Impact of the Penguin Update: A Deep Dive

The Google Penguin update, though formally part of the core algorithm since 2016, still holds significant weight in understanding the principles of quality link building and avoiding website penalties. Let’s delve into its historical context, algorithmic evolution, targeted link types, penalties, and recovery strategies:

Pre-Penguin Era: A Wild West of Link Building:

Imagine a time when search engine rankings were heavily influenced by the sheer number of backlinks a website possessed, regardless of their quality. Keyword-stuffed link exchanges, paid link placements, and comment spam were rampant, manipulating search results and frustrating users with irrelevant content.

Penguin’s Algorithmic Journey:

• 2012: The first Penguin update arrived, targeting websites with unnatural backlink profiles, mainly focusing on paid links and excessive keyword-rich anchor text. This update significantly impacted websites relying on manipulative link building tactics, sending shockwaves through the SEO community.
• 2014: Penguin 2.0 refined its targeting, identifying low-quality link networks and manipulative guest blogging schemes. It also introduced disavowal, allowing website owners to submit spammy links for Google to ignore.
• 2016: Penguin 3.0 became part of the core algorithm, seamlessly integrating its link evaluation process into Google’s overall ranking criteria. This marked a shift towards a more holistic approach to search quality, emphasizing natural link profiles earned through valuable content and genuine relationships.

Types of Links Targeted by Penguin:

• Paid Links: Any links obtained through direct payment, regardless of the platform or context, are red flags for Penguin.
• Link Exchanges: Participating in reciprocal link exchanges solely for SEO benefit, even without payment, can trigger penalties.
• Comment Spam: Leaving irrelevant comments on other websites with links back to your own is a clear violation of Penguin’s principles.
• Keyword-Stuffed Anchor Text: Overusing exact-match keywords within anchor text, especially across numerous backlinks, can raise suspicion.
• Low-Quality Directories and Link Networks: Engaging in link networks or submitting your website to irrelevant directories known for spammy links can harm your ranking.

Penalties and Recovery:

• Ranking Drops: The most common penalty involves significant drops in search engine rankings for targeted pages or the entire website.
• Traffic Loss: Reduced visibility naturally leads to a decline in organic traffic, impacting website goals and conversions.
• Manual Actions: In severe cases, Google might issue manual penalties requiring specific actions like link removal before recovering rankings.

Recovering from a Penguin Penalty:

• Link Disavowal: Identify and submit a list of spammy backlinks using Google Search Console’s disavowal tool.
• Link Removal: Actively reach out to website owners requesting removal of harmful links.
• Build High-Quality Links: Focus on creating valuable content that attracts natural links from relevant and authoritative websites.
• Monitor Backlink Profile: Regularly track your backlink profile for new spammy links and proactively address them.

Remember: Recovering from a Penguin penalty can be a long and arduous process. Patience, consistent effort, and a commitment to quality content and natural link building are crucial for regaining Google’s trust and restoring your website’s ranking potential.

Penguin in the Core Algorithm: Building for the Future of SEO

The integration of Penguin into the core algorithm marks a significant shift towards a quality-centric SEO landscape. While technical aspects and on-page optimization remain important, content and natural link building have become the cornerstones of ranking success. Let’s explore how Penguin has evolved and what matters most today:

Focus on Quality Content:

• Content as the Anchor: High-quality, informative, and user-centric content serves as the foundation for attracting natural links. Create content that solves user problems, offers unique insights, and establishes your website as a valuable resource.
• Earning Links, Not Buying Them: Forget paid links and link exchanges. Focus on creating content that people naturally want to share and link to. This builds trust and authority, signaling to Google that your website deserves recognition.

Backlink Profile Analysis: Know Your Links:

• Regular Checkups: Regularly analyze your backlink profile using tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console’s Backlink Checker.
• Identifying Spammy Links: Look for red flags like irrelevant websites, unnatural anchor text distribution, and sudden spikes in low-quality links.
• Disavowal for Protection: If you find spammy links, use Google’s disavowal tool to submit them for potential exclusion from ranking considerations. Remember, disavowal should be a last resort, done carefully and strategically.

Building Trustworthy Links:

• Guest Blogging: Contribute valuable guest posts to relevant websites within your niche. Focus on sharing expertise and building relationships, not just link acquisition.
• Broken Link Building: Identify broken links on relevant websites and offer your own high-quality content as a replacement.
• Community Engagement: Actively participate in online communities and forums related to your industry. Share your knowledge, answer questions, and build genuine connections that might lead to organic links.
• Collaborations and Outreach: Partner with other websites for joint projects, co-create content, or host webinars. This can lead to mutually beneficial link exchanges.

Evolving SEO Landscape: The User-Centric Future:

• User Experience Reigns Supreme: Google continues to prioritize user experience. Optimize your website for speed, mobile-friendliness, and clarity to keep users engaged and satisfied.
• Mobile-First Indexing: Ensure your website performs flawlessly on all devices, especially mobile, as it has become the primary indexing standard.
• Evolving Algorithms: Expect future updates to build upon Penguin’s principles, further emphasizing natural link profiles, high-quality content, and user-centric website design.

Remember: SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Building a sustainable online presence requires consistent effort, continuous learning, and adaptation. By understanding the principles behind the Penguin update and its integration into the core algorithm, you can focus on creating content that users love, attracting natural links, and building a website that thrives in the ever-evolving SEO landscape.

Beyond Penguin: Building a Sustainable SEO Strategy

While understanding the legacy and principles of the Penguin update remains crucial, SEO success extends far beyond simply avoiding harmful link practices. Building a sustainable strategy requires a holistic approach that prioritizes user needs, technical foundations, and ongoing adaptation to a dynamic search landscape. Let’s explore these key pillars:

1. User-Centric Approach: Put Users at the Heart of Your Strategy

• Understanding Your Audience: Conduct audience research to identify their needs, pain points, and online behavior. Create content that directly addresses their problems and offers valuable solutions.
• Engaging Content Experience: Focus on crafting high-quality content that is informative, engaging, and easy to read. Prioritize clarity, structure, and visuals for optimal user experience.
• Prioritizing Mobile-First: With mobile-first indexing, ensure your website is flawlessly optimized for mobile devices, offering a seamless experience across all platforms.
• Technical SEO for User Satisfaction: Address technical aspects like website speed, page load times, and structured data implementation to create a smooth and efficient user journey.

2. Technical SEO and On-page Optimization: Laying the Foundation

• Website Speed is Paramount: Prioritize website speed optimization for both desktop and mobile versions. Utilize tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and optimize images, code, and caching.
• Mobile-Friendliness is Non-Negotiable: Ensure your website design, layout, and functionality are fully optimized for mobile devices, offering an intuitive experience for users on the go.
• On-page Optimization for Relevance: Optimize title tags, meta descriptions, and header tags with relevant keywords while maintaining natural language and user-friendliness.
• Structured Data for Clarity: Implement structured data markup to provide search engines with clear and structured information about your content, enhancing search results visibility.

3. Staying Informed: Embracing Ongoing Learning and Adaptation

• Google’s Algorithm Updates: Regularly monitor Google’s official announcements and industry blogs for news about algorithm updates and changes.
• Evolving Best Practices: Adapt your SEO strategy based on evolving best practices and guidelines, ensuring you stay ahead of the curve.
• Analytics and Data-Driven Decisions: Utilize website analytics tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics to track website performance, identify areas for improvement, and measure the effectiveness of your SEO efforts.
• Experimentation and Testing: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different SEO tactics and track their impact to gain valuable insights and refine your strategy for optimal results.

By diligently incorporating these elements into your SEO approach, you can move beyond avoiding penalties and focus on building a website that genuinely caters to user needs, adheres to technical best practices, and adapts to the ever-changing search landscape. Remember, sustainable SEO is a continuous journey, and by prioritizing user experience, technical foundations, and ongoing learning, you can ensure your website thrives in the long run.

FAQ: Demystifying the Penguin Update’s Legacy and Future

1. Is the Penguin Update still relevant in 2024?

While no longer a separate algorithm, Penguin’s principles are deeply embedded in the core algorithm. Understanding its history and how it shaped SEO best practices remains crucial for building natural links and avoiding penalties.

2. How can I check if my website has been hit by a Penguin penalty?

Significant ranking drops and traffic loss might indicate a penalty. Analyze your backlink profile for suspicious links and use Google Search Console to check for manual actions.

3. What are the safest ways to build backlinks now?

Focus on creating high-quality content that attracts natural links through guest blogging, outreach, and community engagement. Avoid paid links, link exchanges, and comment spam.

4. How often should I monitor my backlink profile?

Regularly check your backlinks (monthly or quarterly) to identify and disavow potential spam before they harm your website.

5. What else should I do for successful SEO besides avoiding Penguin penalties?

Prioritize user experience, optimize for mobile-first indexing, follow technical SEO best practices, and stay updated on algorithm changes.

Conclusion: Embracing a User-Centric Future of SEO

The evolving SEO landscape demands more than just avoiding past penalties. By understanding the legacy of the Penguin update and its emphasis on natural links and quality content, you can build a sustainable SEO strategy that prioritizes user needs, embraces technical best practices, and adapts to ongoing algorithm changes. Remember, SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Invest in creating user-centric content, build genuine relationships, and focus on long-term value, and your website will be well-positioned to thrive in the ever-changing digital world.

With these additions, your SEO guide provides a comprehensive understanding of the Penguin update, its ongoing impact, and actionable steps for building a sustainable SEO strategy in the user-centric future of search.