Definition
Google Panda is a major Google algorithm update first deployed in February 2011. Its primary goal is to reduce the visibility of websites offering duplicate, thin, auto-generated, or keyword-stuffed content with no real added value for users. Panda assigns a quality score to each page and to the entire site, meaning that a high number of low-quality pages can negatively impact the overall domain ranking. Since 2016, Panda has been integrated directly into Google's core algorithm and operates continuously.
Key Points
- Targets low-quality, duplicate, or thin content
- Assigns a quality score at the entire site level
- Integrated into Google's core algorithm since 2016
Practical Examples
Content farm penalized
A site publishing hundreds of short, superficial articles solely to generate search engine traffic sees its organic traffic drop by 80% after a Panda update.
Recovery after penalty
A publisher removes 40% of their lowest-quality pages, enriches the remaining ones with in-depth content, and recovers rankings within a few months.
Frequently Asked Questions
A sudden drop in organic traffic coinciding with a known Panda update is the main signal. Check in Google Analytics whether the decline primarily affects pages with the weakest or thinnest content.
You need to audit all your site's content, remove or merge low-quality pages, enrich existing articles with in-depth and useful information, then wait for the next algorithm refresh.
Go Further with LemmiLink
Discover how LemmiLink can help you put these SEO concepts into practice.
Last updated: 2026-02-07