Images in the Google Panda era

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2012 was the year of the Panda as far as Google was concerned, with the search engine giant really putting the pressure on website owners and designers to raise their standards as far as content was concerned. Originally launched in the spring of 2011, Google’s algorithm engineers began to seriously apply the pressure last year with updates and tweaks to existing formulas appearing almost on a monthly basis.

Google’s mission, and legitimately so, is to clampdown on websites who the company ascertaining are employing unethical SEO tactics was one of the principal areas that they are looking to improve is page content. Make no mistake about it under the Panda regime Google will clampdown on websites that fill their pages with junk simply to ensure their presence on the web and access to the AdSense income that it will bring. And what any web producer needs to be well aware of is that, thanks to the increased levels of sophistication that Google now have at their disposal, they are capable of delving deep inside a web site and have shown themselves capable of slapping a ban notice on an entire domain, if they discover just one or two pages that fall below what they consider is sub standard. The days are gradually drawing to a close for the webpage stuffers, and now more than content is King. Yet content can be construed in many ways. While there is no doubt about it that a well-written page can bring results, more site visitors are looking for a bit of colour in their lives when they are surfing the web.

And make no mistake about it Google and not only find no fault in a web builder placing images on their pages they actually encourage it. Good copy does not come cheaply these days with most competent copywriters more aware than others of the heavy demands to increase content quality that are being placed on web masters causing a subtle yet constant rise in prices.

Those web designers who look upon their pages as a valuable piece of online real estate are grateful for the pro rata cost savings that being able to insert relevant image or two on their pages will allow them and are aware that their presence on the page will keep Google happy and the readers satisfied.

Another trick regarding images that will enhance SEO is to augment the no more than one or two images on the page with a block of descriptive text, nested in a textbox that blends in with the image, while contrasting (but never clashing) with the main background and text. Images on the page should preferably be situated above the fold but never at the expense of cramping the content.

Google are more than capable of keeping track of how long a web surfer “dwells” on each web page, and the longer they dwell, after having made an organic search the more the Panda algorithm’s will like the page. You gotta keep the Panda happy!

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Avishai

I love Internet Startups, PC gaming, Star Wars, Blogging, Photography, and Marketing. Feel free to drop me a message and connect with me on all the socials, you will be surprised by the amount of free advice I giveaway.

1 Comments

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