What’s the Story of Google’s Penguin 2.1

Google has been on a roll of late.

In just a week after announcing HummingBird, a new algorithm designed to give “precise and fast” results, Google has released its ravishing Penguin loose upon the Web, yet again.

The new Penguin update affects 1% of queries.

It was in May this year that Google announced Penguin 2.0, which affected 2.3% of queries. Note that Penguin 2.1 is the fifth Penguin update:

• Penguin 1: April 24, 2012
• Penguin 2: May 26, 2012
• Penguin 3: October 5, 2012
• Penguin 4: May 22, 2013
• Penguin 5: October 4, 2013

What is Penguin?

For those who don’t know, Penguin is Google’s mightiest algorithm update, one that mainly targets link spam across the Web. Penguin 2.1, the latest data refresh to Penguin, is here to put more and more spammers behind the gallows.

So, if you have been investing your time in manipulative link schemes lately, then you have a good reason to worry about.

Also Read: The Aftermath Of Google’s Penguin Update

How do I get to know whether I was hit?

See, Penguin is not a manual update so don’t expect any email from Google. If your site was hit by Penguin, there should be drop in its organic traffic.

If, however, you notice improvement in your traffic, it means you’ve recovered from previous Penguin updates or maybe it simply means that your spam-loving competitors have been hit.

But I was hit!

Don’t worry. You’re not alone. To combat Penguin, you need not file a reconsideration request to Google because Penguin is not a manual penalty. Rather, follow these steps:

• Collect your backlink data using Google Webmaster Tools.
• Vet the data to weed out the spammy links (do-follow paid links are also spam in Google’s eyes, mind you).
• Detoxify your backlink profile and make it look as natural as possible. You could disavow spammy links using Google’s disavow tool or have them removed manually.
• Exploit white-hat link building practices and build new links – this time make sure they’re terribly relevant and are from authority sites.
• Create compelling content (read Is Your Content Marketing Crippled?) and deliver a great user experience.
• Now rest assured, as soon as Google sees your efforts, you’ll recover.

The Penguin recovery process may sound simple, but in reality it takes honest, consistent efforts.

If you’re still worried about Penguin, feel free to contact ResultFirst. We’ll be happy to help.