Google has taken yet another step to integrate its technology in to everyday life. Google +, the latest social networking platform from the internet giant went live on the 28th of June. At the moment, those who want to experience the latest social networking platform will have to wait for an invite from someone who already has a profile. If you are not eighteen years old yet, then you will also have to wait until you are an adult. With the insane amount of hype over the platform and its all new features, the SEO community has started asking whether their techniques will be affected.

One of the features in Google + allows users to recommend websites to those who are in their network. Just like Facebook and all other social networking platforms, a lot of personal information will be shared among members. From birthdates, working place information all the way to interests and preferences, Google + will also store this information in a user’s profile. In addition, there is a feature called Google Sparks on the platform. This is where all the information about a particular individual’s interest will be kept.

Remember Facebook’s targeted advertising campaigns that took a huge chunk out of Google’s Adsense revenue? Well, apparently, Google is fighting back.The Google Circles and the Google Sparks concepts will allow users to be categorized. This means that a person’s interests, history, activities, friends and the websites that they like will be a part of the equation to deliver them advertisements and direct them to websites that they are more likely to visit.

According to one blogger, the web links posted on Google + will act as a vote for a particular website. The more ‘votes’ a website may have, the higher the rank will be raised. However, just to make things extra difficult to us, SEO Companies, Google has decided to monitor a user’s credibility to cast votes on a particular website. This means that when a particular user has added things like Fashion, LOL cats and Baking casts a vote on a website that deals with Business Communication and Networking, the vote will not be counted as a credible. Google will make an assumption about a person’s ability to vote on a certain website by taking their interests in to account.

The verdict? Google + will definitely have an impact on Search Engine Optimization. Although the effects may not be immediate, they will definitely start to show as the platform takes root.

Whenever word comes out about a Panda update or an upgrade to Google search, the SEO community and website owners start twitching and panicking. Why? Most web owners and SEO specialists are on an endless, losing battle with Google. Instead, it’s time to start considering Google as a friend and to try and understand it rather than covering your ears and backing down in to a corner whenever an update strikes.

The first step of understand that Google is not at war with website owners. It is a search engine and the job of a search engine is to offer relevant results for search terms entered by web surfers. Since some websites are trying to sneak their way in to the rankings by mentioning these search terms, or keywords, without the creation of coherent content that someone can make sense of. So, the first step of making sure that the next Panda Update doesn’t kick you out of the rankings is to make your content valuable and useful.

But on-page content is not the only thing Google is keeping a close watch on. Websites cannot beat the massive competition for the top spots solely with the aid of on page content. Inbound links from external sources also generate a sizeable portion of the traffic generated by a website. One of the most effective ways of generating inbound links is by posting articles on article directories. As directed by the latest Panda update, certain article directories have been labelled with the undesirable ‘content farm’ title and were dishonoured. The reason for this is the fact that most of these directories are a breeding ground for poorly written articles stuffed with keywords and uploaded with the sole purpose of exploiting the directories’ popularity. In the end, the blacklisting of these popular article directories affects the rankings of those who have posted the sub-standard articles.

Of the quality of your content is not an issue, you may think that algorithm updates are irrelevant. In reality, it is important to keep updated and adjust when the need presents itself during a major change. However, the wisest choice is to continue researching, reading and testing to find effective and legitimate methods to boost your rankings as time goes by. Bear in mind that Google is evolving with time and is thinking of providing a satisfactory web searching experience for its users. To be truly successful as an SEO services provider or a website owner, you need to think beyond climbing the ranking lists.