Google jagger update - November 2005

Google does minor algorithm updates almost on a regular basis. Once in a while, it implements a major algorithm update.

If there is one thing search engine marketers and website owners fear, it is a major algorithm update, especially by Google. Well, much as much as we may not like it to happen, its here. Google has recently done a major algorithm update, nicknamed the “Jagger” update series.

The last major Google algorithm update, called the Florida update, happened in November 2003 and created quite a stir with website rankings.

Rankings Have Changed
Like the Florida update, the Jagger update churned the top-ranking websites and turned them upside down.

Google has been the web communities favourite search engine for some time. Most people feel that the search results have always been highly relevant. It would therefore be safe to assume that whatever algorithm Google has, works just fine.

So why does Google need to re-engineer its perfect-looking algorithm so drastically? Has it not heard the saying “if it works, don’t fix it”?

Beating the spammers
From Google’s standpoint, the reason is simple and valid. Well, for starters, the web is ever-evolving and the algo always needs to be adjusted in order to provide the best results. Google has engineered an algorithm which they believe will reward good sites and rank them well for its viewers.

Google, like most other search engines, keeps this algorithm a closely guarded secret to prevent it from being exploited.

However, the SEO community is constantly at work trying to rank their sites well. Using calculated guesswork, logical thinking, special tests and extensive trial-and-error methods, they gradually figure out what the algorithm likes and dislikes.

Armed with this knowledge, it is not difficult to work on websites to rank them high in SERP (Search Engine Result Pages), irrespective of whether the site deserves to rank at the top or not. This kind of algorithm abuse results in ‘less than desirable’ websites displacing good sites from the top ranks, contaminating the Google index.

Consequently, following the Kaizen philosophy, Google needs to re-engineer its algorithms to keep what it believes are bad sites out of its top ranks. Naturally, major algorithm updates upset the current high-ranking websites and sends a lot of SEO professionals back to their work-bench in order to start all over again.

The Changes
The changes from what we have studied so far, Google has re-engineered several aspects of its algorithm. Amongst other aspects we will know as things roll out, we believe it has altered the impact of the following:

1. Value of incoming links
2. Value of anchor text in incoming links
3. Content on page of incoming links
4. Keyword repetitions in anchor text
5. Age of the incoming links
6. Nature of sites linking to you
7. Directory links
8. Speed and volume of incoming links created
9. Value of reciprocal links
10. Impact of outbound links / links page on your website
11. Sandbox effect / age of your site, domain registration date
12. Size of your site’s content
13. Addition and frequency of fresh content update
14. Canonical / sub domains, sub-sub domains
15. Multiple domains on same IP numbers
16. Duplicate content on same site or on multiple domains
17. Over-optimization, excessive text markup
18. Irrational use of CSS

We are studying various aspects of the Jagger algo update and are closely monitoring the impact of changes in each of the above-mentioned parameters and many more not mentioned here.

In the meanwhile, these changes highlight the importance of maintaining a long term search engine strategy and appropriate budget that will allow you to react quickly and effectly.

Contact us today to find out how we can help bring targeted traffic to your door.