Changes to Google’s Algorithm Mean Changes for Website Owners
Changes to Google’s Algorithm Mean Changes for Website Owners
Google uses an algorithm to determine page rankings. Recently, the search engine giant made some changes to its algorithm. Today, I’m going to go over those changes so you’ll know what you need to do in order to get a good ranking with Google.
Original Content is King
Some Internet marketers copy content from site owners and try to pass it off as their own. For example, let’s say Bill is marketing a new weight loss product. He doesn’t know anything about the product, so he does some online research and finds a site that’s promoting the same product. Bill copies some of the content from the site and puts it on his own site.
Previously, it would have been possible for Bill’s site move up in the search rankings, even with the copied content. Now, though, Google’s new algorithm will allow the company to flag sites with copied content and then determine which site owns the content. The site that owns the content will continue to run, while the site that copied the content will be shut down. So besides it being just plain stealing, copying content won’t help you movie up in the search engine rankings.
Fortunately, the only way you’re going to run into trouble is if you copy content. Thus, come up with content that is 100% original, 100% of the time. If you use another site for research, be sure to put your content through CopyScape before you post it to your site. If it passes through CopyScape, it should pass through Google.
Content Over Ads
Additionally, Google will check ad placement on sites. Basically, if a site places too many ads above the fold, it will be penalized. “Above the fold” refers to the portion of the website that shows up on the screen without any scrolling.
You might be thinking, “But I make a lot of my money off these ads. Why does Google care where I place them?” It’s all about user experience. According to Google, users don’t have a good experience when they go to a site that is full of ads above the fold. That’s because these sites tend to be low on content. Thus, Google wants sites to put more emphasis on content and less emphasis on ads. That doesn’t mean you can’t advertise. It just means you need to provide lots of content above the fold, and then place the majority of your ads below the fold.
Competition is Easier – And More Interesting
Finally, Google is planning on making it more difficult for a single site to sit at the top of the search results for an extended period of time. Instead, the search engine plans on letting different sites share top billing. This is great news for Internet marketers who are just starting out. At one time, it may have been next to impossible to get to the top of the results, but soon, it’s going to be easier than ever before. You just need to make sure your site is up to snuff so you’ll have a chance of landing in the top spot. If you’re not sure if your site is ready yet, take some time to read over the blog posts (and watch the videos) on this site. They‘ll help you get your site ready for top billing.
Google Algorithm Changes – The Bottom Line
These changes all mean one thing. Google is trying to provide the best user experience for web surfers. Because of that, this won’t be the last time Google changes its algorithm. It will continue to make changes when it sees fit.
However you don’t have to fear the changes. Instead, you just need to work toward providing readers with the best experience possible. If you do that, you’ll do a good job of staying in line with Google’s policies.
What do you think of the new changes? Are you happy that Google will do a better job of protecting content and increasing competition? Are you concerned about the new rules for ads? Also, will you have to make changes to your site because of these changes? For instance, will you have to move some of your ads or run your content through CopyScape? Let me know in the comment section below.
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January 23, 2012 at 1:18 pm
Thanks for going through what the changes are as this will really help me from being penalized. Very helpful – great information!
January 23, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Great, Emily – that is what I was aiming for. Thanks for stopping by. – Carol
January 23, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Great article. I probably wouldn’t have heard of this unless i came to your blog. Thanks for sharing.
January 23, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Hi Don,
I’m glad about that! I enjoy keeping folks up to date on what’s happening.
Thanks for stopping by. – Carol
January 25, 2012 at 4:24 pm
I’ve been working on something else and somewhere else and had not heard this. Thanks, Carol. I can always depend on you.
January 25, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Hi Ruth!
So glad you like the article on Google’s algorithm changes – it does affect us all.
Thanks for stopping by. – Carol
January 26, 2012 at 3:00 am
I have the domain name and that is it. Suggestions are appreciated. Al
January 26, 2012 at 8:52 am
Hello Al,
Well, the first step is to choose a market/niche. Then, you would register a domain name. Next is choosing hosting; I go with Bluehost. I will email you a list of things I did to get started. Have a Blessed Day! :)
- Carol
January 27, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Hello Carol,
I have a website and I don’t know how to start. Actually I am very scared to start and loose money before making any. I saw your name often on Anthony Morrison site and would like to ask you if you have any suggestion for me to how to start? I appreciate your respond.
Arssineh
January 27, 2012 at 4:11 pm
Hi Arssineh,
It seems to me you have already Started if you have a website… :)
Don’t worry, you won’t break it – if and when we do mess up, it is usually fixable.
The first step in my opinion is choosing a market/niche – something we are passionate about, interested in and knowledgeable about…THEN we register a domain name and get hosting for a website…
I see that you got a website already done for you. I copied and pasted one paragraph from your site into Google (using quotation marks) to see if this was original content or not…..NOPE, there are hundreds of other sites using the exact same content, NOT good.
You START by understanding what you have. Who owns the content on your site? Do you have admin privileges? Can you change your site and control how it is monetized?
Just some food for thought…
Hope to help.
- Carol
January 28, 2012 at 10:54 am
Thank you Carol for the respond,
Do you have any suggestion for where to get website from or get hosting ?
Thankyou
January 28, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Hi Arssineh,
Here’s a post for you to read about hosting: http://www.carolamato.com/bluehost-vs-hostgator-%E2%80%93-which-hosting-option-is-right-for-you/
I hope to help and have a great weekend. :)
- Carol
January 28, 2012 at 5:50 pm
Hi Carol
How do you think Google’s new algothingy will affect plr material?
Gordon
Gordon wants you to check out…As A Man Thinketh So Is He
January 28, 2012 at 7:22 pm
Hi Gordon,
Well, anyone that buys PLR should rework it so that the content is not exactly like what they bought. At least the first paragraph and last paragraph should be changed with other things in the middle changed a bit. Just my thoughts. :)
Have a great weekend.
- Carol