Search Engine Optimization

There is a lot of controversy around the alleged Google “Brand Update”, originally spotted by Aaron Wall. In his video reply to the issue, Matt Cutts sorta admitted the update calling “Vince Change” (according to the video Vince was the guy who made the changes). In the video Matt admits there was a change for a number of queries, saying that is the a move towards authoritative websites rather then the free boost for brands.

On the contrary data shows the opposite. If you missed the Aaron’s blog, big brands started ranking for core terms completely out of nowhere, looking a lot like a boost.

• 4 airlines recently began ranking for “airline tickets”
• At least 90% of the first page of search results for auto insurance is owned by large national brands.
• 3 boot brands / manufacturers rose from nowhere to ranking at the top of the search results.
• 3 of the most well recognized diet programs began ranking for diets.
• 4 multi-billion dollar health insurance providers just began ranking, with Aetna bouncing between positions #1 and 2.
• 3 of the largest online education providers began ranking for online degree.
• 5 watch brands jumped onto the first page of search results for watches. To be honest I have never heard of Nixon Now.

Wolf Howl on his blog sparks a discussion that Matt is trying to use the word “change” in order to “distract” community from the fact there was an update.

When you go around stating there was no update (your definition), when we can clearly see there was an update (our definition), we’ve got a problem. It looks like you’re trying to perform some Jedi mind trick, if you keep repeating there was no update and waving your hand eventually we’ll all believe you. Even worse it’s like you’re trying to tell us what we’re seeing isn’t really there and this is one of those “these aren’t my pants officer” moments from cops. http://www.wolf-howl.com/google/matt-cutts-failure-to-communicate/

So what really happened? Let’s stick to the facts. We know for sure that big buck brands got rankings out of nowhere, so there was a change. Matt is responsible for entire PR with the webmaster and developer community and I would not wonder if he has a zip on his mouth, limiting what he can say.