Google Spam Algorithm Version 3.0 Launches Today

As I reported last night out of the SMX Advanced keynote with Matt Cutts - the third version of the Google Spam Algorithm, also known as the PayDay Loan algorithm, is launching today.
Didn't we just have version 2.0 a couple weeks ago? Yes we did.
Matt Cutts explained that 2.0 was targeting specifically spammy sites, while 3.0 targets more spammy queries. So the algorithm looks more at the query versus looking at the site. You are smart SEOs, so you can figure out what that means.
Matt also explained that version 2.0 also added some negative SEO factors, to reduce the amount of negative SEO that can happen. If you believe that.
I do not believe this launched just yet, it may launch today sometime, or maybe tomorrow - but likely today, Matt Cutts said. Based on the lack of complaints in the black hat forums, I do not think it launched at the time I am writing this.
Reminder, this will look specifically spammy queries, such as terms like [payday loans], [casinos], [viagra] and other forms of highly spammy queries.

Webmasters Complain Of Google Structured Data Items Dropping

I've received several reports from webmasters that the Google Structured Data report in Google Webmaster Tools is all of a sudden showing a huge drop in the items being reported.
Some are saying they've gone from 3,000 items to 250 or so items being reported in that tool.

oogle has not yet responded to the complaints about this on Google Webmaster Help but some TCs, top contributors, are saying these reports may have issues.
Have you noticed a large drop in your structured data items being reported? Check out your Google Webmaster Tools to be sure.

Google Reconsideration Rejection Requests More Details

Google’s Matt Cutts, the head of search spam, announced at SMX Advanced that they are updating how they handle reconsideration rejection requests with more details from Google Search Quality analysts.

That means when a Google search quality representation reviews and responds to a reconsideration request with a rejection notice, that Google representative has a new box where they can enter more details.
Hasn’t Google provided more detailed responses to webmaster who have submitted these requests? Yes.
Matt Cutts explained they have offered a couple link examples for link issues and general categorization for other issues but now they are going to offer more.
Specifically, it seems that part of the internal reconsideration request response on Google’s end will prompt Googlers to type out specific advice or recommendations for the webmaster.
So webmasters should expect to get more specific and detailed responses starting today from their reconsideration requests.

Google Launching Payday Loan Algorithm 3.0 Targeting Spammy Queries This Week

Google’s head of webspam, Matt Cutts, announced at SMX Advanced tonight that the third version of PayDay Loan algorithm is launching this week, as soon as tomorrow.
This algorithm specifically targets “very spammy queries” and is unrelated to the Panda or Penguin algorithms.
Didn’t Google just update the PayDay Loan algorithm a couple weeks ago? Yes, version 2.0 was launched a couple weeks ago.
Matt Cutts explained that this goes after different signals. The 2.0 version targeted spammy sites, whereas version 3.0 targets spammy queries.
Again, this is launching as soon as tomorrow and will look specifically spammy queries, such as terms like [payday loans], [casinos], [viagra] and other forms of highly spammy queries.
Matt did not clarify exactly what he means by spammy sites versus spammy queries, we will try to get more concrete details on this soon.

Matt Cutts: New Payday Loan Algorithm Update Coming, More News From SMX Advanced 2014 Keynote

Day one of our SMX Advanced conference is wrapping up, but before we call it a day … it’s time for an SMX Advanced tradition:
Matt Cutts, the head of Google’s webspam fighting team, in a keynote conversation with our Founding
Editor, Danny Sullivan.
With all of the recent news about Google penalties (eBay, Metafilter, etc.), along with updates to Google’s Panda algorithm and expectations of a Penguin algorithm update, they’ll have plenty to talk about.
The room is already packed (as always) and the keynote conversation is due to get started at about 5:00 pm PT. So we’ll get started then, and when we do, there’s no need to reload this page — just sit back and enjoy as the updates roll in below.
See you in a few moments for our SMX live blog!

10 Questions To Ask When Creating A Link Building Campaign

One of the most common questions I hear related to link building is, “Where do I start?”
Whether in a blog post or a conference presentation, link building experts often focus on specific tactics when giving advice. The message can sometimes come across as, “Here are some things — go do them, and you’ll be set.”
But that’s not the case.
It’s important to realize that while these individual tactics are great, they are really part of a much bigger picture: a link building campaign. That’s where we must start.
When setting up a link building campaign, here are a few questions to ask

1. What Are My Goals?

It’s one of the most basic, yet frequently overlooked, questions when it comes to link building: Do you know what your goals are?
I often see businesses putting content out there with the idea that it will simply generate links. However, links alone don’t necessarily mean success. Some questions to consider:

Google: Keywords In Domain Aren't Needed For Ranking Well

Google's John Mueller posted a response in a Google Webmaster Help thread responding to someone asking if they need their keyword in their domain name.
In short, John said no, you can rank fine without having a keyword in your domain name. Heck, my company, RustyBrick, doesn't have our money keyword in our domain name. Not that I rank that well for our money keywords. :)
That being said, John Mueller said it isn't needed.

You don't need your keywords in your domain name. Websites without them in there rank just fine. 

Webmaster: I've Tested Negative SEO Through Links & It Works

Last week we reported that most webmasters are claiming negative SEO is easier now than ever. If you look at the conversation there, you will see it is somewhat of a hot topic.
That being said, since then, one webmaster decided not to just say it works but also said how he implemented the technique. Sadly, it was not too difficult, according to this webmaster.
The steps?
 The first month, contract a couple $5 guest blog posts [make sure the posts are in broken English of course], then go back to what you were doing.
Second month, try a few more [4-8] $5 [broken English] guest blog posts and add some forum link drops to the mix. Go back to what you normally do -- Nothing will happen.