Most of you probably already know that a new Google has been released. From a UI point of view, it looks pretty much the same....it's under the bonnet (i.e. the algorithm) where things have been significantly changed. Is anyone concerned that several years of SEO efforts might go down the drain when the 'new Google' is released? I've used a few Google vs Google Caffeine comparison tools and have noticed that for several of my sites, the rankings are radically different. Are you noticing similar behaviour? What measures are you taking to try and minimize the risk of dropping off the Google radar when Caffeine is released?
I stay accurate to my content with all backlinks and so on, I don't think I can be hurt since I work hard, and stay true without taking any shortcuts. If anything, I foresee my site benefiting.
So each of you believe that the quality back-linking principles from the current algorithm will still be number one priority for SEO for the new algorithm? What about social media - I hear rumours that social media is being incorporated further into the new algorithm. I am guessing that perhaps Google might start taking into account the backlinks from social media when ranking a page?
I don't see much difference for my sites. I can't see any way that backlinks won't still be a major part of the algo.
I would think social media would be the easiest to abuse. Doesn't seem logical they would weight it more in the near future to me...
silly question... where can I test the new google? Also can someone post links to read more about google caffeine?
Any idea *when* the big update is going to launch? It seems like its been around for long enough, that it should be going live soon.
From what I've seen so far, it looks more like some tweaks to some rankings, some of my sites change by a place or two at the most, but still rank pretty well on the first page. So I wouldn't worry too much unless I'm shooting for the top 3 positions and *those* change.
Hey mate, there's a link to the new Google in the Google Caffeine post I wrote on my blog...I recommend having a squiz at one of the comparison tools I've mentioned there too, it is a bit of an eye-opener!
It's interesting you say that. I was toying with Caffeine last night, I entered some reasonably competitive two word phrases as my search terms. I was delighted to see that some of my sites were in the top 10 of Google for these 2 word phrases, but not even in the top 100 on the current algorithm. So how the heck does that work? They reckon these changes are aimed at really indexing the long-tail keywords, and moving the focus away from the shorter keyword phrases....but aren't the shorter keyword phrases always going to be more important?
No, I don't think so. I think that searchers have learned that they need 3, 4, or 5 words to get good results. And I think that G has been getting better at delivering based on combinations of words. /*tom*/
I think the natural progression will be away from the shorter phrases as you indicate. I haven't seen much of a change with the new algo, just wish they'd "unbreak" froogle.
I've seen some interesting movement, especially on newer sites. Age appears to be a factor. But what is rather interesting is that on these sites in question, search position have lowered slightly while traffic has remained stable. Leads me to believe there is great variances between datacenters.
Traffic will remain the same for the moment won't it..... I was under the impression that Google Caffeine wasn't released yet. Is this not the case?
From what I've tested, I've had a few #1's drop to #3. But I've also seen a few #50's jump to the 20's. To me that's fair because I deserved to be #2 and #3 in a few of those #1's I had. And more than likely the searchers will still come to my site over that #1