What should you know about the Panda algorithm in SEO?

At the beginning of 2011, Google launched Panda, a search results algorithm aimed at helping filter out sites with low-quality content. Google has continually, right up to the present day, been fighting low-quality content, which is why it routinely introduces new updates intended to tackle the problem. Panda, however, was one of the most important updates in Google’s history. It was from it that a series of major crackdowns began. Google’s Panda algorithm reduced the amount of poorly created, spammy content from search results pages (SERP), helping higher-quality sites achieve better positions.

One of the main goals of Google’s Panda algorithm was the so-called “content farms”. These are sites that mass-produce low-quality content, which achieved high rankings thanks to the volume of content. This posed a huge problem for Google, which always places emphasis on delivering high-quality results in order to provide optimal user experiences. Thanks to the Panda algorithm, Google dealt a strong blow to spammers and made huge progress in eliminating content farms.

Since its launch, this algorithm has become one of Google’s core ranking signals. It is continuously developed so that it becomes increasingly sophisticated in assessing what is regarded as low-quality content. This makes it possible to develop and improve the quality of sites that are meant to achieve high rankings.

How does the Panda algorithm work?

Recognising “thin” content and low-quality websites may be easy for the average user, but for search engines it is a complex process, especially across a vast, extensive web. The solution to this problem is meant to be the use of the most scientific and mathematical approach possible.

Google researchers created a rigorous set of guidelines for website raters to assess a range of domains. Based on questions and reviews, the Google team developed a set of ranking signals that created the definition of low-quality content.

Google is constantly changing and refining the signals and metrics used to determine a website’s value. This allows Google to determine which content is good and which is bad. This translates into consistently guaranteeing excellent experiences for users.

1. 01Identifying contentLow quality, thin pages.
2. 02Scientific approachMathematical guidelines for raters.
3. 03Refining signalsContinuous metric updates.

Panda continually defines content quality through rigorous, evolving ranking signals, ensuring better search results.

What does Panda pay attention to?

Google Panda is an algorithm that pays attention to the following issues on websites:

• poor content on the page: domains that lack high-quality content across many pages tend not to provide valuable experiences for users. This refers, for example, to sites with only a few sentences or sites with masses of incomprehensible words. Spelling and grammar are also important,
• duplicate content: where there is a large amount of duplicate content, pages have similar or exactly the same content. This may be a sign of an attempt to manipulate and deceive the search engine. In the past, domains tried to use duplicate pages targeting the same keyword. In this way, they tried to increase the chance of achieving a high ranking for a given phrase,
• machine-generated content: also known as “content spun with article spinners”. This is text created automatically by software in order to fill pages with keyword-rich keywords that at the same time are characterised by the low quality of the information provided,
• an excessive amount of advertising on the page: pages crammed with adverts have a negative impact on user experience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxJEUYjTPw8

Panda does not mean a penalty

There were certainly cases of entire domains seeing drops in rankings as a result of the Panda update, however this algorithm in itself is not a penalty. Websites targeted by this algorithm can still overall hold high rankings. This is because the algorithm filters out individual pages, not entire domains that are considered spammy.

The Panda algorithm may allow a given page to appear for more specific and relevant queries, but its visibility will be limited for queries where the site owner’s benefit is not proportionate to the user’s benefit.

Although Panda and many of its later updates have had a huge impact on Google’s fight against low-quality content and spam, the mission still has not been fully completed. Google’s attempts to combat low-quality content continue to this day, and the global giant in the search industry introduces many core algorithm updates every year. Their aim is to improve the ability to detect, remove and reduce the visibility of low-quality content.

Panda does not penalise sites with duplicate content, but that does not mean plagiarism is accepted by Google. In this case the Panda algorithm is not used, but there are other means of identifying and dealing with plagiarism. This in turn means that content duplication has a negative impact on a site’s ranking position.

1. 01No penalty for the domainThe algorithm rejects individual pages
2. 02Filtering subpagesLow quality reduces visibility
3. 03Specific queriesVisibility for relevant keywords
4. 04User benefitPriority for content quality

Key takeaway: Panda is a precise tool for improving the quality of search results, not a general penalty.

Preventing problems related to the Panda algorithm

Preventing Panda’s negative impact on a site is fairly simple. The best way to reliably and sufficiently improve SEO efforts is creating high-quality, unique content without making things easier for yourself in any prohibited way.

From the content creation strategy to the technical structure of the website, there are many issues to keep in mind. It is worth remembering that the best way to understand this strategy is to discuss it with your SEO agency.

The site must provide the user with the promised information, solutions or services

If the site does not provide what is needed, then the content or features on the site do not meet the requirements. This makes people stop visiting the site, which in turn leads to low engagement, poor user experiences and, ultimately, limited visibility.

1. 01Eliminating content farmsThe end of mass-produced, poor-quality content.
2. 02Better search resultsPromoting valuable sites.
3. 03User priorityFocus on quality and usability.
4. 04Balanced adsA low ratio of ads to content.

The introduction of Google Panda forced content creators to focus on delivering real value to the user, significantly improving the quality of search results.

The domain should have strong external links in the form of references

One way of showing search engines that you have gathered reliable information and created a high-quality source of information is to reference your sources. If Google sees that you are trying to provide users with accurate information, it will understand that you are a responsible content creator. The reward for this will be increased site visibility. Such links can also help search engines create connections between your site and high-quality sites that match the relevant topic.

Backlinks are very important

Building a large portfolio of backlinks (a collection of reputable sites with links pointing to your site) is an important part of an SEO strategy. The Panda algorithm plays an important role in this process, favouring sites with a large number of external sources linking to them from pages mentioning the linked content in a positive way. Such positive, relevant backlinks prove that your site is a source appreciated by other people.

Panda looks at reviews

If you offer services or products that can be reviewed by independent verified sources, then make sure you give users the chance to rate them on your site. 5-star ratings in a format that Google can understand allow the search engine to learn a lot about the quality of your services and user experiences.

Is word count important for the Panda algorithm?

No, word count is not a factor taken into account by the Panda algorithm. In some cases, word count can be a convenient way of identifying sites that are too small, but it is not a deciding factor.

The content should be long enough to cover the whole topic.

Why is the Google Panda algorithm important?

The Google Panda algorithm is important because its introduction marked the beginning of a series of quality checks for the search engine. So-called “content farms” – sites creating large amounts of content solely to dominate the search results pages (SERPs) – were the primary targets of such actions.

The introduction and implementation of the Panda update significantly improved the overall quality of search results pages. There is therefore no longer any place for sites that are not valuable.

Panda benefits sites containing relevant, informational content and sites with a low ad-to-content ratio. Of course, this update forced content creators to prioritise value for end users. The emphasis is now on quality rather than quantity. This, in turn, translates into optimal user experiences.

Best SEO practices related to Google Panda

When implementing a content strategy aligned with Google’s algorithm, and wanting to avoid Panda algorithm filters, it is important to pay attention to the following three best practices.

Familiarise yourself with Google’s quality guidelines and follow E-E-A-T

Google’s Search Quality Rater Guidelines are a 170-page document used by the people responsible for quality control when assessing the quality of search results. This assessment helps Google understand how well the algorithm is performing and what should change.

The principles of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) are part of this document. They are among the main factors used to assess the overall quality of a particular website.

Google’s quality raters “educate” the AI-based algorithm, so for content creators it is important to familiarise themselves with these guidelines, understand what Google needs and create content in the right way.

It is true that Google does not assess a site based on these principles. But that does not mean you should not try to demonstrate E-E-A-T and improve it.

To begin with, you can address the following issues:

• working on building a stronger backlink profile,
• making sure the content conveys accurate and truthful information,
• regularly reviewing, editing and updating content.

Getting rid of low-quality, worthless content

Content that has been based on poor research, is not valuable and may be outdated should be improved or removed first.

The Panda algorithm analyses the site as a whole. This means that lower-quality content may still contain some valuable fragments affecting the site visibility in the search engine.

Making sure the content on the site is valuable, relevant, correct and up to date is a complex task. However, you should not be afraid of it, because sorting out these issues has a significant impact on rankings.

Keeping ad use on the site moderate

There is nothing wrong with placing paid adverts on a website. However, you need to pay attention to the ratio of adverts to content. The general rule is that the lower this ratio is, the better from the perspective of the Google Panda algorithm.

Nobody likes sites overloaded with adverts that mainly contain paid ads rather than original content. That is why keeping an eye on this ratio is important.

Differences between the Panda and Penguin algorithms

Shortly after the Panda update was introduced, Google rolled out another one called Penguin. These algorithms share some fundamental goals, such as showing higher-quality and more valuable content in the search results. However, it is important to remember that Penguin directly targets sites using “bad” link acquisition techniques.

Does the Panda algorithm still exist?

Yes, in 2016, five years after its introduction, Panda was officially incorporated into Google’s core algorithm. This means that it no longer operates as a filter used within the Google algorithm but is built into the core algorithm and is one of the main ranking factors. Even after 11 years, the Panda algorithm remains important for SEO.