With all of Google’s latest updates, one can’t help but notice that with the Panda update they seem to be echoing the classic proverb of ‘calling the kettle black.’
After all, how can a search engine claim they want a completely fair and unbiased platform that’s in favor of sites with a low volume of adverts and spam when they allow sites plastered with ‘toxic ads’ to sign up to Adsense and then rank?
Looking For A Solution
Despite Google being adamant that revenue isn’t a factor in their updates, it seems that at least one thing is finally out in the open – even Google has admitted it doesn’t always know what it’s doing. In a recent interview with Wired.com, when asked the question, “How do you recognize a shallow-content site?” Google’s own representative Amit Singhal responded, “That’s a very, very hard problem that we haven’t solved.”
So just how can us hard-working affiliates who make the effort to write our own content and work hard to stay unique ever hope to get a fair trial on Google when its latest update isn’t even guaranteed to work!? After all, we’ve been told to avoid paying for content from our localfreelancer.com reps and guru.com translators, but why bother spending all that time writing something yourself when some of the more surreptitious affiliates may still continue their old ways and get away with it?
How To Work With Google, Not Against It
Well, the answer is … there is no answer. Despite Google’s self-acclaimed divine status, it isn’t perfect and unfortunately we have to accept that (as much as it pains me at times). What we can take from the recent update is that Google is finally making an effort to crackdown on less-scrupulous sites; sites which are, unfortunately, ubiquitous in the gambling industry.
So in the meantime, when we see our sites suddenly drop a few positions to a bunch of good-for-nothing spammers, we will have to make do with the age-old “Report This Site” feature and hope that one day Google will actually find a cure for this online pestilence that cheats hard-working affiliates out of their money.
Remember though, just because Google hasn’t caught you yet for using sub-par content and high-volumes of ads, it doesn’t mean it won’t! Don’t take a chance; spend a little bit of extra time making sure your site means something. After all, when readers get to your site, nothing will turn them away quicker than a bunch of poorly written articles and a minefield of flashing banners.
About the Author:
Daniel Laming spent over two years working as an affiliate manager for GTech and Red Interactive, but recently decided to pursue a role as a full-time affiliate working on website BigGainsNoPains with a team of five, focusing on Online Casino and Online Bingo offers.