zionbar
Elite Member
- Apr 6, 2015
- 4,140
- 4,618
Hey guys,
So I keep seeing posts about the spam update, thought id chime in on it to help whoever needs help.
The bad news is a lot of ppl's sites got hit, the good news is that it seems like google literally told us what to do in order to get back on track.
Even if your site is not salvageable at this point, I highly recommend understanding what changed- so you can build better sites in the future.
So, i'll keep it brief, this is the general idea of what you should do, but you will need to do the work (can't do it for ya ! ).
There'll be 3 parts to this post -
1. what changed?
2. what's spam?
3. what can we do to fix it?
1. Google Spam Update - What's Changed?
The spam update was released in the beginning of october, it affects sites in all languages and it is global. The rollout was complete by October 21st of this year.
In this update, google targeted specifically, spam content, unlike their previous update that was targeting 'spam links'.
In google's own words [literally copy-paste from their site]:
" While Google's automated systems to detect search spam are constantly operating, we occasionally make notable improvements to how they work. When we do, we refer to this as a spam update and share when they happen on our list of Google Search ranking updates.
For example, SpamBrain is our AI-based spam-prevention system. From time-to-time, we improve that system to make it better at spotting spam and to help ensure it catches new types of spam."
In other words, google have found a better way of effing us over. lol.
I, and others, kept saying for years that 'content is king' for a reason.
Google's #1 goal is to provide the best answer to the user's inquiry (or so they say, their actual goal is making money, and your spammy site isn't doing that for them) so keep that in mind.
Now 'spam' is a very vague term. So what does google consider spam?
2. What is Considered Spam in Google's Eyes?
Glad you asked.
According to google's spam policies (link here - they're explained in depth - feel free to read ) there are different types of spam content that's being monitored and detected by google.
Practices that Google Considers SPAM :
So if your site has any of these, you might be affected by the spam update.
3. How to Reverse the Effect of The Spam Update & Prevent it in the Future?
Now that we better understand why the update was released and what google wants, we can take some action.
First, I highly recommend building your new sites, in the future, with the info above in mind.
Be prepared and build things with long-term thinking - so you won't have to worry about it in the future and will be able to enjoy a long, successful passive income.
Second, if you're already hit by the update or worried that you might get hit, identify the type of spam that can fall under the categories above, and change it.
Easier said than done, I know, but it is what it is. If you need to ditch the site and start over, do it, don't dwell on it. Build a better, newer, more profitable site.
Be proactive, even if you're not hit but you know that you have some shit that might be detected, act before it's late.
Google says that: " Making changes may help a site improve if our automated systems learn over a period of months that the site complies with our spam policies. "
In other words, if your site was hit, you might not be 100% f***ed. Fix it and within a few months google's AI will detect the change and put you back on track.
Now do I 100% believe what they say? no. But we can only work with what we know for now, at least until more case studies come out.
Also feel free to comment if I missed anything or you have any info that I didnt on this update ...
Hope this helps guys and I would appreciate if you guys do the same, I want our SEO forum to be a lot more active with useful threads, tips and advice.
SEO is a huge field and im sure that we can all improve and learn from one another - thats what we're all here to do aren't we?
Z
So I keep seeing posts about the spam update, thought id chime in on it to help whoever needs help.
The bad news is a lot of ppl's sites got hit, the good news is that it seems like google literally told us what to do in order to get back on track.
Even if your site is not salvageable at this point, I highly recommend understanding what changed- so you can build better sites in the future.
So, i'll keep it brief, this is the general idea of what you should do, but you will need to do the work (can't do it for ya ! ).
There'll be 3 parts to this post -
1. what changed?
2. what's spam?
3. what can we do to fix it?
1. Google Spam Update - What's Changed?
The spam update was released in the beginning of october, it affects sites in all languages and it is global. The rollout was complete by October 21st of this year.
In this update, google targeted specifically, spam content, unlike their previous update that was targeting 'spam links'.
In google's own words [literally copy-paste from their site]:
" While Google's automated systems to detect search spam are constantly operating, we occasionally make notable improvements to how they work. When we do, we refer to this as a spam update and share when they happen on our list of Google Search ranking updates.
For example, SpamBrain is our AI-based spam-prevention system. From time-to-time, we improve that system to make it better at spotting spam and to help ensure it catches new types of spam."
In other words, google have found a better way of effing us over. lol.
I, and others, kept saying for years that 'content is king' for a reason.
Google's #1 goal is to provide the best answer to the user's inquiry (or so they say, their actual goal is making money, and your spammy site isn't doing that for them) so keep that in mind.
Now 'spam' is a very vague term. So what does google consider spam?
2. What is Considered Spam in Google's Eyes?
Glad you asked.
According to google's spam policies (link here - they're explained in depth - feel free to read ) there are different types of spam content that's being monitored and detected by google.
Practices that Google Considers SPAM :
- Scraped content
- Cloaking
Doorways
- Keyword stuffing
- Hidden text and links
- Cloaking
- Hacked content
User-generated spam
Sneaky redirects
Bot traffic
Scam and fraud
Legal removals
Malicious behaviors
Again, the complete list is here and I recommend reading it at least once, so you better understand the terms.
So if your site has any of these, you might be affected by the spam update.
3. How to Reverse the Effect of The Spam Update & Prevent it in the Future?
Now that we better understand why the update was released and what google wants, we can take some action.
First, I highly recommend building your new sites, in the future, with the info above in mind.
Be prepared and build things with long-term thinking - so you won't have to worry about it in the future and will be able to enjoy a long, successful passive income.
Second, if you're already hit by the update or worried that you might get hit, identify the type of spam that can fall under the categories above, and change it.
Easier said than done, I know, but it is what it is. If you need to ditch the site and start over, do it, don't dwell on it. Build a better, newer, more profitable site.
Be proactive, even if you're not hit but you know that you have some shit that might be detected, act before it's late.
Google says that: " Making changes may help a site improve if our automated systems learn over a period of months that the site complies with our spam policies. "
In other words, if your site was hit, you might not be 100% f***ed. Fix it and within a few months google's AI will detect the change and put you back on track.
Now do I 100% believe what they say? no. But we can only work with what we know for now, at least until more case studies come out.
Also feel free to comment if I missed anything or you have any info that I didnt on this update ...
Hope this helps guys and I would appreciate if you guys do the same, I want our SEO forum to be a lot more active with useful threads, tips and advice.
SEO is a huge field and im sure that we can all improve and learn from one another - thats what we're all here to do aren't we?
Z
