Google, why do you vex us so?
Algorithm changes
On February 24, 2011, Google made one of the most massive algorithm changes ever, tweaking over 10% of all results at once even though the changes were only rolled out to users in the United States.
The changes were made to
reduce rankings for low-quality sites—sites which are low-value add for users, copy content from other websites or sites that are just not very useful. At the same time, it will provide better rankings for high-quality sites—sites with original content and information such as research, in-depth reports, thoughtful analysis and so on.
In good news, this means if you keep following the guideline of producing quality content, not have sites with repeated/duplicate content or spammy titles, you’re going to be better off than before. If you have content in more than one place on the web, change it enough not to get penalized or suffer a drop. This will hurt a lot of sites like eHow more than most photographer sites but it’s worth watching the changes as they do affect us.
Title changes
If Google changes your page title, you’re doing it wrong. In fact, this is probably the biggest reason your site has dropped in the rankings since January. If you write a title like: “New York wedding photographers: Joe & Jane Smith, wedding photography in NYC” you are currently being penalized. You are also penalized for your title if you use the same title across multiple pages.
What is penalized? Duplicate root words in a title. Wedding/weddings, photographer/photographers/photography. Very, VERY bad drop if you do this. Why? Google assumes you are spamming (because you are) and CHANGES your title. Don’t believe me?
Try this Google search for Meg Baisden. See the link for MegBaisden.com ? The title simply says “Meg Baisden” yes? (screenshot for when it changes)
Click “Cached” below the link. This page shows up. (screenshot) Look at the title. It’s spammy so it’s been penalized (these are clients of mine but not on the domain I’m optimizing. I’ll email them a copy of this post when I’m done.) Google has changed the title of the page to reflect what it feels is the content. However, it’s removed ALL keywords from the title, penalizing this site immensely.
Title is the single most important SEO element. If Google changes your title, you’re in for a HUGE SEO drop.
What are you waiting for? Go check your title. Yes, now.
Very helpful information, thanks Matt!
The most important thing for a website is to be original and useful for a visitors.
With this algorithm the quality of search will be much relevant.
Thanks for this article.
Regards from Serbia.
Thanks for the heads up Matt. I’m currently reconstructing my stock and port site and I’ll pay special attention to the titles.
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