Google Search Updates Better Detect Link Spamming and Hacked Pages

In class, we've been discussing how various websites engage in link schemes to boost their popularity in search results. A common practice involves creating partner sites simply to cross-link other sites regardless of the quality of the links. Google recently released a list of changes to its Penguin algorithm, which includes tweaks that will enable it to better detect link schemes and reduce spam in its search results. The result is a cleaner, more optimal search experience. There's little wonder why Google is the search engine king. Here are some other cool updates:

• Enhanced personalized search results for tablets - Users of iPads and other tablets can now get better personalized search results based on their locations (similar to the mobile phone experience).
• Deeper detection of hacked pages - Hackers often compromise pages deep within certain websites. Google improved its algorithm to detect such incidents and notify users of hacking incidents beyond home pages.
• Unified Soccer feature - Google is more consistent in how it provides scores and schedules on  the search results page across leagues in Spain, England, Germany and Italy.
• Improvements to ranking for news search results - Users can now discover relevant rankings for news content more quickly.

FYI Google now publishes its search improvements on a monthly basis. The following is a link to the list of changes Google made to its search engine last month:

http://insidesearch.blogspot.com/2012/06/search-quality-highlights-39-changes.html