This post will be more of a rant than offering anything of new information. If you haven't picked up on the language yet, Google routinely performs what are called 'data-pushes'. This is in essence a refresh of the data within the SERPS. Occasionally (less frequently) they perform algorithm updates.

For a complete idea of language visit Google Engineer Matt Cutt's Blog

Matt Cutt's has said the so called 'data-pushes' were a bi-monthly affair, today they are more frequent, perhaps every couple of days. My issues is this: something happened mid-December that really shook some web sites. Old data was beginning to show in the SERPs and some prominent web sites fell off the map. Conversely, in some industries better results were starting to show. Perhaps the sign of a new algo test? Well not according to Google.

A couple of web sites Distinct SEO owns experienced the drop. Two weeks later they recovered. However, two weeks yet again, there appears to be a major drop coming again. That is a full month of 3 widely fluctuating results. Certainly, this is NOT normal Google operations. Something is going on, a new test, a new algo, a new something, SOMETHING is not working efficiently over at the 'Plex.

I am certain Google does not consider HUGE fluctuations in the SERPs as an efficient process of displaying the best results for their users. In light of this, I surmise there's something else in the works that hasn't been revealed yet. Quite frankly, I can't stand massive ups and downs on a bi-monthly basis--the heart just can't take it

Technorati Tags: google data push, google -950, google -30, google algo

It was bound to happen, they've been chatting about it for months, and some other Wiki languages have already implemented it. That's right, 'nofollow' has been added all outbound links to Wiki English. That's good news for many webmasters, users looking for quality info with external links, and Wikipedia.

This is bad news for newbie SEOs and web spammers. For ages they've been able to score suitable one way links, sometimes with significant PR, and help boost their web sites in the SERPS. Nofollow tags will change all of these tactics as soon as word spreads. (Remember, 'nofollow' attached to links means no PR weight that will be passed to your web site that helps boost your search engine rankings, but it will still be recorded.)

This isn't all bad news though. Although external links will likely miss their usual spammy web sites, other more legitimate web sites may seek to press a bit harder to have their links placed at Wiki for the purpose of garnering additional traffic. I may do the same and press a bit harder simply for traffic reasons.

Of course, the converse may also be true. Webmasters may have the impression that the traffic from Wiki is worthy enough to continue their spam practices. This would in turn be met by a force of Wiki editors who have less spam to deal with and more time to scrutinize entries.

What does this change overall for SEO? Wiki is only used for traffic and perhaps some exposure/'promotion'. What it doesn't do is help web sites with quality back links. You may see the interest in Wiki diminish as well since many webmaster I know actually added many pages to Wiki for the sole purpose of getting the link. That's going to stop now.

In the spirit of the theme I have linked to the Wiki page with nofollow, they wouldn't want it any other way. Wiki Nofollow page.

Technorati Tags: wikipedia nofollow, wikipedia seo, wiki nofollow