There are some very interesting stories circulating around the web about the latest tweak that Google has made to its search algorithm. In case you aren’t familiar with the dark arts of SEO (search engine optimisation) every now and then Google updates the way in which it ranks links in search queries. Recent updates, named Panda and Penguin, have by and large favoured mainstream publishers who produce unique content over publishing farms that produce low grade content or re-purpose other publisher’s content – which is generally good.

The latest tweak which was undertake last week, seems to have been promoted by a desire to push brand’s own content higher up the search engine lists. So for example whereas in the past you might have search for ‘Samsung phones’ and got a lot of blogs and websites at the top of the page now you are most likely to be presented with web properties from the brand. There’s a good look at the update here.

This is of course very good news for brands, but at the same time it does up the ante a little. There’s no point in having top spot on Google if you don’t have anything worthwhile to say. With the media continuing to contract and digital advertising revenue fairly static there is a great opportunity for brands to reach out to customers with engaging and entertaining content. Get in touch if you want to know more.

Image from here.