Depending on who your ask Panda 3.3, the latest algorithm update from Google, is either the end of link building and SEO as we know it; or it’s no big deal. It’s all in the eye of the beholder.
But since Google is pretty tight lipped about the inner-workings of their proprietary algorithms, no one can say for certain what they all mean.
Link Evaluation
Panda 3.3’s most significant, and puzzling, change involves link evaluation.
Here’s what Google has to say on the subject, “We often use characteristics of links to help us figure out the topic of a linked page. We have changed the way in which we evaluate links; in particular, we are turning off a method of link analysis that we used for several years. We often rearchitect or turn off parts of our scoring in order to keep our system maintainable, clean and understandable.”
If you know exactly what that means, you probably already work at Google.
Speculation about the changes is runningrampant on SEO forums. One scenario that seems credible is that Google is going to be looking for a variety of relevant links links relating to the same subject to avoid link exchange abuses. But that’s just one theory amongst many and Panda 3.3’s impact might not be known for a few more days or weeks.
Not a Big Deal
Many of the new Panda changes were rolled out earlier in the month with little or no fanfare and have a limited impact on a specific region. So web masters may have been working under them for a while without knowing anything about them.
For example, one of the changes, code named hava, is designed to provide more accurate weather forecasts to Turkish web users. While hava is almost certainly a great project, it’s impact is negligible unless you’re Turkish (and even that is debatable).
Beating Panda 3.3
As always, the best workaround for a Panda update is quality, relevant, content. If you’re producing good work that’s linked with authority sites that are relevant to your niche, most Panda updates won’t be anything to worry about.
Have you noticed any changes to your page rankings recently due to Panda 3.3? Share your opinion with us on our SEO Forum.