Google Penguin Update – What is it anyway?
The Google Penguin Update has nothing to do with penguins, but is an update to Google's ranking algorithm. It was first implemented in 2012.
The update serves to combat web spam (any form of content that serves to achieve higher rankings without providing added value for the website user) and is intended to reduce the manipulation of search results. It is now an integral part of the Google algorithm. While Penguin versions 1.0 to 3.0 were still updated manually between 2012 and 2014, since version 4.0 in 2016, updates have been carried out continuously as part of Google's core algorithm.
What consequences did the Penguin update have for the world of SEO?
The update became a problem especially for websites that do not comply with Google's Webmaster Guidelines. This is because if Google's filters detect web spam on a page, it results in a significant drop in ranking.
In the past, link building (generating backlinks through guest posts, link exchanges, or even purchasing backlinks) was a big part of SEOs' work, but today, the update has made it much more complicated to obtain high-quality backlinks without resorting to web spamming. This is also one of the reasons why only a few agencies offer backlink building services.
What to do if your website is affected by the Penguin update?
You should analyze and improve your backlink profile immediately. Bad backlinks should therefore be deleted. If deletion does not work, there is a Google tool (Disavow Tool) that devalues links, so that they are no longer included in your link profile.