Google launched an update to Penguin after the first algorithmic filter rolled out a month prior. Some deemed it as Penguin 1.1 while others called it version #2. Nonetheless, it improved on the filter’s ability to combat webspam, specifically black hat SEO techniques.
Matt Cutts, Google’s head of webspam at the time, announced on Twitter that Penguin 1.1 was a data refresh. This targeted update confirmed that information for the filter was being processed outside of the primary search index similar to Panda. It caused a significant stir in the webmaster community.
May 2012 also witnessed another set of monthly updates that included improvements to Penguin. The developers rolled out minor tweaks that boost signals and refresh data by the algorithm. Another change that’s closely related to Penguin was the better application of inorganic backlink signals which improves the detection of various link schemes.
Other notable enhancements affect the following factors:
Matt Cutts announced that the first Penguin data refresh only affected less than one percent of English searches. However, some websites that were still trying to bounce back from the significant losses they suffered when the first update rolled out experienced even more damage to their rankings. This led to speculations on whether the update improved search or made it worse for both users and site operators.
Some webmasters are still recovering from Penguin’s impact on their websites. Google has always insisted that your content should provide valuable information to users. This, along with other SEO strategies, can help boost your brand’s reach.
That’s why it’s essential that you produce linkable assets so that you can leave a majority of promotion to your loyal readers and establish yourself as an authoritative source of data. Content can come in the form of blog posts, infographics, videos, press releases, software, and other tools.
Here are the qualities of a linkable asset: