There's a Google Panda algorithm refresh due tonight. How will I know if I have been affected?

The Panda algorithm is used by Google to help determine what content is high quality and what isn't. There are three possible outcomes for your blog or website subsequent to a Panda algorithm update.

Organic search traffic:

1. increases
2. decreases
3. doesn't change

If you notice no change, or a substantial increase in organic search traffic coming from Google after the update has rolled out then you have nothing to worry about.

If your organic search traffic decreases sharply around the time a Panda refresh rolls out then it is likely that you have fallen foul of one or more of the Panda criteria for "high quality content".

Google doesn't share the exact signals it uses to gauge whether content is high quality or not. In effect, you have to create:

1. original
2. relevant
3. engaging
4. noteworthy

content. The more you do this, the more Panda updates will favor you above sites that scrape or duplicate content, provide poor quality content, spin content, or use content templates.

You can find out more about Panda and Penguin algorithms and how they affect bloggers and business websites by reading the following articles:

• Panda penalty: How content syndication can hurt small business SEO and website traffic
• How Google Panda ensures there is little SEO benefit from article marketing and directories
• How to find the best SEO service in the Google Panda & Penguin era
• Panda & Penguin friendly SEO: A business guide to recovering from Google's algorithm updates
• Google's Panda and Penguin updates are great for bloggers, marketers and business