Penguin 4.0 - Part of Google's Core Algorithm

Google Penguin is a code name for Google algorithm update. The main aim of Google Penguin is to decrease the search ranking of websites which violates the Google Webmaster Guidelines. On 23rd September 2016, Google confirmed Penguin 4.0 is rolling out together in all languages at real time. Penguin is now real-time and granular.

Here's a simple timeline with Penguin Version Release Dates.

Penguin 1.0 : 24th April, 2012

Penguin 1.1: 26th May, 2012

Penguin 1.2: 5th October, 2012

Penguin 2.0: 22nd May 2013

Penguin 2.1: 4th October, 2013

Penguin 3.0: 17th October, 2014

Penguin 4.0: 23rd September 2016 

Google’s core algorithm Penguin was released at the same time for all the countries and languages throughout the world and is real-time now. Penguin 4.0 is real-time means any page ranking may change each time when Google the information regarding it. This algorithm helps you to recover from Google penalty faster. The algorithm is now focused on toxic links only rather than whole websites. Before the roll out of Penguin 4.0, the whole website would get penalized rather than pages responsible for spam. Penguin update is more granular now. Google penalties are more frequent. Never forget, now or never content is still the king.

Here are few strategies you need to apply for getting your website safe from being penalized. 

1. Start link building by targeting for deep links more and more.

2. Focus on local SEO while posting classified. Try using IP changers while posting classified if you’re not in the region.

3. Don’t buy the links.

4. Avoid black hat techniques instead go for white hat.

5. If the site looks like spam, then immediately email them to remove your link from their site else disavow the links using Google WebMaster Tools.

6. Comb over your content and make sure none of it is breaking Google’s rules. 

7. Focus on quality blog posts to get natural backlinks and avoid repetition of same keywords.

8. Improve user experience, make the sites mobile friendly.

9. Optimize your internal linking profiles

10. Ignore low site index links and update the contents available in your website

The Penguin portion of the algorithm will always be “on” and updating. Future Penguin updates will no longer be confirmed by Google because the update is becoming a real-time part of the algorithm.