Google release their Penguin 2.0 algorithm update

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It’s here…. Run for the hills!!

Most SEO companies have arrived at work today to see that Google released it’s 4th Penguin update (Penguin 2.0) last night. Google’s guru Matt Cutts posted a simple blog post highlighting that 2.3% of English queries will be effected by this latest update. Although this sounds small, as an SEO agency we are of course exposed as we actively encourage our clients sites within the SERP’s. Check out Matts Post – http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/penguin-2-0-rolled-out-today/

Insight into Penguin 2.0 by Google’s Matt Cutts

It’s also worth taking a look at his most recent video which did give some insight into the Penguin update along with other items for SEO’s to be aware of.

So what’s new?

So what’s the difference between previous Penguin updates and 2.0? Well the message from Google is that they will go Deeper than before, targeting sites that hadn’t already been affected.

Last month myself and several colleagues visited the BrightonSEO conference which featured a panel of 3 ex-Google employee’s and although these guys worked in the manual penalty teams, they clearly stated that Google’s application of any algorithm is staged to impact bigger wins first and then slowly tightening its grip on smaller less competitive search results.

So you may find your clients or their competitors still (or used too) rank with old school SEO techniques for lesser search terms, we’re confident that Penguin 2.0 is a specifically designed algorithmic update to target such results and that the escape route from any Google algorithm is now narrowing.

Our friends over at SEO candy have released a post discussing tips to help you recover quickly and future proof your campaign. We track our client’s keyword positions daily, so stay tuned for a post next week reviewing how our client sites have been affected.