Is my website affected by the Google Penguin Update?

One of Google's most powerful algorithm update is the Penguin Algorithm that had shockingly changed how SEO Consultants Sydney and website owners do their search engine optimisation.

Despite the fact that Google's update isn't a surprise, the effect it had to websites' ranking was quite drastic. Web sites either dropped down from their rankings or improved their rankings. Either way, it changed the SEO game.

If you are one of those lucky sites that were either unaffected by the update or improved their rankings, good for you. Keep it up and avoid what triggers the Penguin Penalty but for those who are affected, search for what triggered it and fix it in order to recover.

But how will you know if you are affected by it or not? Well, there are obvious signs while others require more search and it's all listed here.

 1. Your website or company name doesn't show up in searches.

If you are already a well-established company, in most cases, your website or name will usually appear on the first few pages when searched. But if you notice that it's already gone, that's already a bad sign. It usually means that something went terribly wrong at your website.

 2. Your highest-ranking page isn't your homepage

Yes, your website not showing up on the first few pages is already terrifying but if you finally come across your website and it isn't your homepage, then you are in serious trouble. It's most likely that your homepage was penalised.

 3. Your position drops drastically or not at all.

If you have a page one position, it can usually stay that way unless your competitor’s edge up or you make some changes. But once you're ranking is dropping without any edits and no notice, you are penalised.

 

4. Or your ranking just dropped to ZERO.

One of the largest factors that determine your Page Rank is the number of inbound links your site has. If you have a good SEO effort, it will usually rank at least the third page but if your Page Rank is zero that means something has happened to your links. Since you did not remove at all, Google probably penalised it.

5. Your website is gone

This is anyone's worst fear. You can't find your page on ranking, then you probably should try searching your domain. If it's entirely gone, then you are in no doubt penalised.

If you want to avoid all these, make sure to check your website and see what may cause a Penguin Penalty or better yet, get SEO Consultants Sydney in the first place to give you natural links to avoid it and even better your ranking.