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First came the Panda update in 2011, the effects of which intensified every week with the ongoing software updates. Each update affected the content and visibility of a huge number of websites making them drop fast within the ranks of the Google search engine. Earlier, content with lower quality had been at the top of the search engine, while the better, original content was mostly invisible, appearing somewhere on the later pages. The Panda update set up certain rules as to what was required for a page to rank higher in Google's search results. This was actually a very fair approach but nonetheless, dropped many websites off the search engine radar that would otherwise have been on top.
It was a firm step taken by Google to tell website owners that pages with content of poor quality and backlinks would neither be accepted nor given a place in the ranks of Google's search engine. On the other hand, many users were prejudicial saying that the Panda update was designed for no other purpose but to damage the reputation and profits of websites ranking at the top of the search engine. In order to get positive ranking, website owners had no choice but follow the guidelines Google had put down.
Firstly, the content on the sites had to be original and of high quality. Secondly, the information provided by a website had to be useful to the viewers. Finally, the website had to be created to provide a service to the users, instead of being there just for back links, without any significant purpose. Even though the Panda update was criticized by many, it brought many significant improvements in the quality of content and usefulness of sites.
While website owners, web designers and web design companies struggled to restore their earlier status after the Panda update fiasco, they were struck by another update. In 2012, only a year after the Penguin update, Google released the Penguin update. While the Panda update had focused on improving the content of websites the Penguin update focused on penalizing those websites that had disregarded the guidelines Google had set down only a year ago.
Essentially, the Penguin was intended to make sure the guidelines set down by Google and the Panda update were followed and there was no links were built illegally. Finally, Google released the Link Disavow tool. Eventually, a change the website owners liked. This link allowed them to ask Google to remove particular links.
If in doubt and to get a better understanding of these Google software changes, always consult with a highly experienced web design company or SEO specialist that knows how to interpret these updates.
Max Chohan is a highly experienced web designer and graphic designer in Dubai who has worked for some of the leading website design companies and graphic design companies in the region. His expertise includes extensive experience in designing and developing both mobile and desktop websites with integrated graphic design solutions.
Click here to contact Chris, PHP Web Developer - SEO Specialist