Google will be upping the ante with its recent algorithmic update. The company has announced that it is rolling Panda out globally, and it will also take users' blocking data into account when it comes to search rankings.
The company explains that its latest algorithmic update, which rewards sites for high-quality, original content, will now be put to use among all English-speaking Google users. This has been a much-anticipated expansion.
Another announcement that may take some marketers by surprise is that Google is going to incorporate user feedback into its rankings in certain “high-confidence” situations. Brafton has reported that Google launched a Personal Blocklist for Chrome users, and now the company will use site blocking data to enhance its algorithm in an effort to help people find better results.
While the initial Google algorithmic update impacted 12 percent of sites, Google says it expects its new user feedback incorporation to affect just 2 percent of sites. Nonetheless, this change necessitates an even stronger focus on high-caliber editorial content that is relevant to target audiences. Brands will want to ensure that they don't get blocked.
Placing emphasis on the human-curated side of search results is a growing trend. As Brafton has reported, market newcomer Blekko boasts that it uses human filters to produce only the best quality results. Now that Google has taken up this practice, it will be interesting to see if it gains more market share, pushing Blekko (and possibly others) further into the search market margins.
