Exploring The Google Zoo

The year was 2011 when Google introduced the smartest algorithm updates that would protect the web search against illegal internet marketing. 

These algorithm updates are basically animals released from their zooplex. The first was a panda. It's followed by a penguin.

Then, there comes a hummingbird. Lastly, a pigeon - my personal favorite.

These animals are gifted with special powers to improve the quality of web search - making it smarter, faster and fair to all.

It's advantageous to understand how these algo animals work, especially when you're marketing your products and services for local and international search.

You'll feel confident you don't violate their guidelines every time a new version is rolled out.

Google Panda

Date Launch: February 23, 2011

Special powers:

1. It protects the web search from low quality sites (too much advertising, full of ads, etc). 

2. It makes sure those high quality sites with a blog receive high ranking for the target keyword.

3. It rewards old and new sites with easy navigation, user-friendly design, high-quality contents and healthy usage metrics (for example: low bounce rate, high page visits, etc.)

Google Penguin

Date Launch: April 24, 2012

Special powers:

1. It guards the web search against no-value contents and spammy links.

2. It gives reasonable punishment to those site owners who conduct illegal practices of search engine optimization such as keyword stuffing, link farms, nonsense spun articles and more.

3. It makes sure the web search is free from bad and unsafe links.

Google Hummingbird

Date Launch: September 26, 2013

Special powers:

1. It improves the semantic search query based on intent and context.

2. It gives accurate meaning to words, phrases and sentences - adding more value to long-tailed keywords such as how to write a travel press release.

3. It gives high ranking to those quality contents written in conversational tone.

Google Pigeon

Date Launch: July 24, 2014

Special powers:

1. It provides accurate local search results.

2. It improves the distance and location parameters of search.

3. It prioritizes local business sites with complete and consistent information in brand name, address, phone number and site url. 

For sure, Google will release more friendly animals in the future. You know how the team works (as seen in the video above). The team are thorough, analytical and experimental.

Who knows, there's a stingray in the making?

Photos Courtesy of: Search Engine Land