Google and Hubpages |Google downgrades Hubpages status affecting Google Ranking by 87%
65Google sees Hubpages as a Spam site
I don't know about you, but I take my writing career seriously. I write for Hubpages mainly as a way to engage in community with others. It is not a primary source of income. It is a place I visit for an hour or so and share ideas with others in the community. Much of the writing I share on Hubpages is not "hard hitting journalism".
Rather, Hubpages is a site that allows all of us the unique ability to write what we want; when we want; the very best we can.
Granted the site has its faults. There are people that come here to spam. (If we see these, we can certainly flag them for review.)
However, many great writers write here and share interesting stories, information, opinions, and tutorials.
Writing for Hubpages
There are many benefits writing for Hubpages. The primary one is that Hubpages is a level playing field for all writers to share their work.We get to write and share our thoughts and knowledge with anyone who finds our articles.
It is also a place to have community. We ask and answer questions. We engage in comments. Also, The forum allows for back and forth banter.
One other advantage writing for Hubpages is the opportunity to earn a little for our writing efforts through ads and other channels of revenue.
Google Quote
Why Google drops Hubpages rankings (among many other sites such as Yahoo Associated Content, and Examiner.com).
“Our goal is simple: to give people the most relevant answers to their queries as quickly as possible…This update is designed to reduce rankings for low-quality sites—sites which are low-value add for users, copy content from other websites or sites that are just not very useful. At the same time, it will provide better rankings for high-quality sites—sites with original content and information such as research, in-depth reports, thoughtful analysis and so on…
What can Hubpages do to change Googles opinion?
I disagree that Hubpages is a "low quality" site. Unfortunately, Google didn't ask my opinion. I do hope that the owners of Hubpages will negotiate with Google to help them see Hubpages in a favorable light. Perhaps that means stricter guidelines for posting articles.
If Google doesn't change their mind, Google searchers will not find us.
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I agree lordraven. I understand and appreciate Google's attempt to clean up the search process--I just think they are throwing out the "bathwater with the baby" so to speak. I hope they can change this. Thanks for taking time to stop by.
One other thought- if you have links to any of these sites the downgrade also affects the link value.
In order to increase Hubpages standing in Google's eyes, we have to reduce the spammers that come onto Hubpages just to spam. Hubpages has started to weed spammers out by unpublishing spam content or content that is of low quality. We as Hubbers also have to weed spammers out by moderating comments so that spammers are not able to put in a spam link into the comments of Hubs, etc.
Also, there are some hubbers who posts content that are "not quite original". When Google sees duplicated content on Hubpages that also affects its ranking.
Google for some reason sees Wikipedia with strong ranking, even though it is community edited site.
That is so true Blissful Writer. HubPages is a great community. I am glad they are getting more aggressive with spam. I get frustrated when I click on a new hubber only to find they only have one hub and it is leading me to a website on how to get rich quick. Thanks for your input!
If HubPages doesn't allow the actress pictures, it can easily keep up its standard. Though it contains Great informative worthy articles, it spoils them by including such spamming articles containing glamor pictures.
I would expect Hubpages to be regarded as a high standard site. How bizarre, when there are many low, standard sites where people don´t even write in full English , its text- speak on some. What is Google thinking of ? Thanks for drawing ny attention to this.
Ratnaveera- I agree those are pretty out of hand at times. As well as the one time posters without a profile who spam.
Dim- Yes they should see it as high quality. I know what you mean about article farms that spin a bunch of nonsense. I am sure in the long run it will all get worked out. Hubpages has recently made changes probably in response to the issue.
I'm actually suprised by this. I've only been active on here a short time, but have found alot of excellent writers and good information. Thanks for the interesting hub.
You are welcome! Thank you for stopping by!
Good writers can make and keep it high-quality no matter what anyone says, and it seems that HP works to increase its quality rather than lower standards.
A wise man once said something to the effect of, "You can say a dog has 5 legs if you count the tail as a leg, but that doesn't make the tail a leg." :)
RTalloni- That is funny and wise all at the same time. Thanks for stopping by!
I love hubpages! Google needs to appreciate what Hubbers are doing for them - and pay up!!! ;o)
I enjoy Hubpages for all the reasons you do even though I originally joined to make money. It is unfortunate that many great writers have left since Google Panda hit. I see by your stats that you have recently published your 100th hub. Congratulations.
Cathleena- I totally agree!
FloraBR- Thanks for that! I agree that it is unfortunate. Maybe things will change.
I have seen a drastic reduction in my views since the downgrade, and articles that used to show up early in Google searches have disappeared. Very frustrating, to say the least. So drastic is this decline, I am seriously questioning whether or not to continue writing here. Thanks for an interesting point of view on a question that affects all of us. Lynda
Thanks Lynda for your comments. I understand the frustration.I have seen my views drop drastically here as well as on Associated Content. It is too bad that there is such a monopoly on the internet. I like writing here regardless of the stats.
lorddraven2000 15 months ago
I would think Google would view Hubpages with a lot better light. Hub pages are great as far as most of them go. Some may be spam but what site doesn't have the occasional spammer.