Top Heavy was launched in January 2012 by Google as a means to prevent sites that were “top heavy” with ads from ranking well in its listings. Top Heavy is periodically updated. When a fresh Top Heavy Update happens, sites that have removed excessive ads may regain lost rankings. New sites deemed too “top heavy” may get caught. Our latest news Top Heavy news is below.

It’s “Top Heavy 2″ As Google Rolls Out Update To Its Page Layout Algorithm

Oct 9, 2012 at 3:01pm ET by Danny Sullivan

Another week, another update to part of Google's search algorithm. This time, Google announced a refresh of its Page Layout filter that it first announced back in January, or what's often called the "Top Heavy" update. Updates, 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 2: Oct. 9, 2012 The Latest On Top Heavy The head of Google's web spam team Matt Cutts announced the update today on Twitter and called it "minor," saying it noticeably aff [...]

The Top Heavy Update: Pages With Too Many Ads Above The Fold Now Penalized By Google’s “Page Layout” Algorithm

Jan 19, 2012 at 6:00pm ET by Danny Sullivan

Do you shove lots of ads at the top of your web pages? Think again. Tired of doing a Google search and landing on these types of pages? Rejoice. Google has announced that it will penalize sites with pages that are top-heavy with ads. Top Heavy With Ads? Look Out! The change -- called the "page layout algorithm" -- takes direct aim at any site with pages where content is buried under tons of ads. From Google's post on its Inside Search blog today: We’ve heard complaints from users that if they click on a result and it’s difficult to find the actual content, they aren’t happy with t [...]

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