Can't keep up with latest changes?

Do you ever feel like this?

Like the SEO world is moving so fast that you can't keep up with what's right or wrong now? What actually works? What gets penalized?

I think it's part of the reason new admins can struggle so much in the beginning because there's so much information and much of it is outdated.

 

I agree that SEO is always changing but if you focus on quality content using the keyword phrases you're targeting and making sure the search engines can find your content, you should be good.

 

That's what I do. I do still like to keep up with some of the changes for when I'm working for other people, though. For my own sites, I focus on quality content, but when others hire me, they often request very specific things. If I think it's going to hurt their sites, then at least I can provide reasons for it before telling them it's not the best idea.

 

Well I hadn't thought of that but it is a good point.
Did you see this that google released
http://www.google.com/insidesearch/howsearchworks/thestory/index.html


It's a nice visualization

 

Whoa. No, I hadn't.

I love that the have a cat in there, ha.

And the section on spam was interesting. I knew they did a lot, but looking at screenshots of recent spam they've removed was neat and the graph was pretty impressive. It was a little depressing to see just how many more spam attempts there are now, though.

 

I don't really pay attention to Google updates, because I shouldn't receive any negative impact in search engines if I focus on creating quality content, and building links on relevant sites in my niche.

 

Essentially the basics of SEO haven't changed, everyone is just always looking for a new shiny object that will put loads of cash into their bank account. Thirteen years-olds can't usually get ranked anymore by spamming their sites with xrummer and scrapebox, and I see this as a good thing. Build quality content and quality links and you should get results.

 

As much as it is true that the SEO world keeps on changing, most of these changes are out to lock out the black or gray haters out there. So if you are doing a great job, white hating for that matter, then there is nothing to worry about my friend, you will always be safe, come panda or penguin.