Home topics technology digital-blogs Digital Digital Predicting the next Google algorithm Kate Toon December 6, 2012 Just when you think you’ve got your Search Engine Optimisation ( SEO ) tactics sorted, Google announce an algorithm change and you’re back to square one. So how can you stay on top? First there was Google Panda (released Feb 2011) that aimed to lower the rank of low-quality sites and put higher-quality sites at the top of the search results. (Hasn’t that always been the aim?) The Panda change affected almost 12% of all search results and caused an outcry from websites claiming that many copycats were getting better rankings than sites with original content. Then there was Google Penguin (released April 2012) which aimed to clamp down on black-hat SEO techniques such as keyword stuffing, duplicate content, cloaking and sneaky linking tactics. And what next? Google Possum? What will the next Google algorithm release entail and how will it affect your website’s rank? The truth is: we just don’t know. Second guessing Google is difficult and often keeping up with the necessary fixes is like trying to follow the latest fashion trend, and having to update your wardrobe every few months. When you’re trying to run a small business, it can be tough to find the time, money, or energy to keep your site in tiptop SEO shape . You could, of course, pay a monthly retainer to an SEO company, but that can prove expensive and they’ll never be as invested