On 24 April 2012, Google unleashed another nightmare: the Penguin update. The Google Blog says:

We’re launching an important algorithm change targeted at webspam. The change will decrease rankings for sites that we believe are violating Google’s quality guidelines. This algorithm represents another step in our efforts to reduce webspam and promote high quality content.

If I am not wrong, the Penguin update has transformed into a nightmare for many bloggers because of various anti-Google things they were doing, some knowingly and others unknowingly.

Here I am suggesting some ways to deal with Penguin update and other whatsoever updates Google doles out once and for all.

1) Over-Dependence on Keyword Research Tools:

Bloggers, the Google Keyword Tool and others in the market is for your reference purposes, and not for blindly researching some keywords and whipping up a blog post over-optimized with keywords. That’s very detrimental for you only.

TEST for You (DO IT NOW!) – Read this complete blog post and recognize the keyword/s for this blog post.

Write the answer in the comments section.

This will show how right / wrong you are with keyword research and analysis. I am waiting!!!

2) Linking to Irrelevant Websites / Blogs:

If Blogging Tips is about, obviously, blogging and making money online, is it correct for Blogging Tips to give a back link to a baby nourishment product?

NO.

Google is targeting link building strategies heavily. Only Google knows what they mean by “natural” link building, but the least we bloggers can do is not to engage in spurious linking activities.

The idea is to remain loyal to your niche.

3) Cloaking Links

Don’t hide or misguide the visitor with cloaking links. The Penguin update is clearly against webspam and cloaking links and hidden texts are a major factor of this update. Don’t indulge in sneaky redirects of web pages and don’t create multiple sub-domains featuring the same content pages.

4) Author Bio Anchor Texts

If you guest blog on other blogs or publish guest blogs on your blog, check the anchor texts of outgoing links guest bloggers use. The anchor text should be natural and gel with the overall author bio write-up. It shouldn’t seem out of place or concocted.

Summing Up

Do you want the Penguin update to ruin your efforts for a successful blogging business? If no, start engaging in safe SEO practices and makes the blog ‘ au naturale’ in front of Google.

PS: I am waiting for the keyword research test answer from all my readers here