It’s been two years since Google’s Penguin 3.0 and now a new update to the algorithm is in the process of being rolled out. The biggest change is the core search algorithm – instead of processing websites periodically, it now works in real-time. If you’re wondering how this is going to affect your webpage, keep on reading for our interpretation of its effects.
Penguin acts by catching spam sites that slip through the company’s normal detection systems. Although previously Penguin only operated on a periodic basis, the new update assesses and penalizes sites on a real-time basis, meaning that it works faster and pushes websites to continuously maintain quality content on their pages.
Previously, Penguin penalties affected entire website rankings. With the new real-time nature of the core search algorithm, site rankings are now based on spam signals. Although Google has been unclear on whether or not site wide penalties still exist, it seems that webpages will now be penalized on a page-by-page basis, or by large groups of pages. For sites that only have a couple of spammy sections, this means that your entire website’s ranking probably won’t be affected, so you can still touchup these sections and avoid losing your ranking.
Penguin 4.0 is still in its early stages, and from what we’ve gathered, it’s still being rolled out. Google hasn’t stated how long this stage will last, but in all likelihood it will take a couple of weeks. Of course, for websites regularly checked by Google, the new changes will probably be felt sooner.
If your site was hit by Penguin 3.0, you can bet that it will be hit again by the new Google Penguin update. Take the time to use the disavow file to fix up any links that are affecting your ranking and help your site maintain its integrity in the face of these new changes. Penguin can now affect your site faster than before, so doing this on a regular basis is as important as ever.
