Basics Of The Algorithm
Algorithms are systems used to retrieve data from an index of data. Google’s algorithm is this vast, complex network for systems retrieving data instantly. The retrieval of this data is also managed through ranking systems to deliver the most relevant web pages possible.
Google is constantly making updates to its algorithm in an effort to offer the best user experience. Many of these updates go unnoticed however there have been major updates to Google’s algorithm that have impacted affiliates.
How Google’s 2021 Update Affects Affiliates
On July 26, 2021, Google announced the Google Link Spam Algorithm Update. This update is meant to identify and nullify link spam. Google gave a warning that sites utilizing link spam tactics will likely see changes to their page ranking. This could affect affiliate, sponsored, and guest content. Here you can review Google’s explanation of qualifying spam links.
What Is Link Spam?
Content affiliates utilize outbound affiliate links to monetize their content. If these links are “overdone and not annotated correctly could violate” Google’s quality guidelines and qualify as link spam.
How To Avoid Link Spam
Content affiliates, including social media content creators, should qualify their affiliate links with rel=”sponsored”. This indicated to Google your relationship with the site you are linking to.
Example Of Qualifying Affiliate Link:
<a rel=”sponsored”href=”https://cheese.example.com/Appenzeller_cheese“>Appenzeller</a>
Even when these links are created manually or dynamically one has to add this value. regardless of whether these links were created manually or dynamically.
The Big Picture – How To Deal Google’s Algorithm Update
You can make a fair argument that updating old content is a way to deal with the update. I would have to agree that is a solid game plan, but that’s not addressing the full picture.
To maintain your site’s ranking on Google, you have to provide the best user experience. And by user experience, we are talking about a Google-users experience. The content you are offering has got to be in alignment with what people are Googling. Once clicked on, your pages have to offer content that satisfies the readers. Review your web analytics regularly to see how your site visitors are interacting with your content. Make sure to adjust your tactics in accordance with trends you are seeing via the analytics. And if you are wanting more concrete guidelines, review Google’s Quality Rater’s Guidelines.
To learn more on the subject, reach out to Clique.
