Google has just updated the Page layout algorithm 2 or Top heavy 2 affecting 0.7% of English queries noticeably.
The page layout algorithm, which was introduced in January 2012 to penalize websites with high number of ads above the fold. The decision was taken by Google after receiving complaints from users about more ads on the top or initial visible part of landing pages. There by hampering the user experience.
Updates
It’s the fourth Google update in the past two weeks. The rundown so far:
Panda Update 20: Sept. 27, 2012
EMD Update 1: Sept. 28, 2012
Penguin Update 3: Oct. 5, 2012
Top Heavy 1: Jan. 19, 2012 (impacted less than 1% of English searches)
Top Heavy 2: Oct. 9, 2012 (impacted 0.7% of English searches)
The news was broke by Matt Cutts via a tweet on October 9, 2012.
The page layout algorithm, which was introduced in January 2012 to penalize websites with high number of ads above the fold. The decision was taken by Google after receiving complaints from users about more ads on the top or initial visible part of landing pages. There by hampering the user experience.
Updates
It’s the fourth Google update in the past two weeks. The rundown so far:
Panda Update 20: Sept. 27, 2012
EMD Update 1: Sept. 28, 2012
Penguin Update 3: Oct. 5, 2012
Top Heavy 1: Jan. 19, 2012 (impacted less than 1% of English searches)
Top Heavy 2: Oct. 9, 2012 (impacted 0.7% of English searches)
The news was broke by Matt Cutts via a tweet on October 9, 2012.
Minor weather report: Update of goo.gl/OpIDL launching today. ~0.7% of English queries noticeably affected.One thing is clear, whether it is Google AdSense or any other ads, above the fold placement performs the best. And, placing one or two ads with some content above the fold will not be penalized by Google straight away for top heavy algo.
— Matt Cutts (@mattcutts) October 9, 2012
