The small tremor you felt during the last couple of weeks wasn’t your stomach growling because of an over indulgence in Halloween candy. Rather, it was the aftershocks of an updated version of Google’s search algorithm.
Google rolled out a new update to its Penguin algorithm (now on version 3.0) starting on Oct. 21. The updates aren’t going to be final for a couple of weeks, but changes are already rolling out. The latest version of the algorithm further strengthens protection against spam and unnatural links.
Forbes’ Jayson DeMers highlights several tips for those in the world of content on how to make your articles, links and websites more search engine friendly.
The most significant takeaway from the article is the benefit of syndication. It was previously thought that posting your articles word-for-word would hurt your own website because the content is viewed as a duplicate post and hurts your SEO. However, if done properly, it can also provide great links for your site. If you choose to share full-length posts on other websites, make sure the sites are credible and popular enough to give you extra exposure. Your article should be linked back to the original post and use a special tag on the syndicated post.
The article also suggests:
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If you choose to use guest bloggers, do so with the intent of adding to your credibility and brand. Guest blogging shouldn’t be the primary form of content, but rather a changeup and a different voice added to the conversation.
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If your content is top-notch, the links will come. DeMers suggests infographics and original content. Don’t post content just to post it. Make sure the articles are adding to the topic. You should also promote your articles on social media. Not only will it help drive traffic to your site, but it will also help your SEO.
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Don’t rely solely upon yourself for opinionated content. Do interviews, and hire people to provide infographics and videos. The more variety you have in your content, the better. If you are only presenting your thoughts in one form (i.e. written word) then you aren’t reaching the widest population possible.
Link Building Post-Penguin 3.0: 6 Ways To Earn High-Quality Links [Forbes]
