Google: Improved spam detection

[djbaxter]

Google search and search engine spam
by Matt Cutts
1/21/2011

we recently launched a redesigned document-level classifier that makes it harder for spammy on-page content to rank highly. The new classifier is better at detecting spam on individual web pages, e.g., repeated spammy words?the sort of phrases you tend to see in junky, automated, self-promoting blog comments. We?ve also radically improved our ability to detect hacked sites, which were a major source of spam in 2010. And we?re evaluating multiple changes that should help drive spam levels even lower, including one change that primarily affects sites that copy others? content and sites with low levels of original content. We?ll continue to explore ways to reduce spam, including new ways for users to give more explicit feedback about spammy and low-quality sites.

As ?pure webspam? has decreased over time, attention has shifted instead to ?content farms,? which are sites with shallow or low-quality content. In 2010, we launched two major algorithmic changes focused on low-quality sites.

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[djbaxter]

See also:

• Aaron Wall's commentary at Big Google Algorithm Changes Coming in 2011? | SEO Book.com
• Google, content farms and one slippery slope | ZDNet