## What Is Google Penguin?
The **Google Penguin Update** was launched in 2012 and named the ‘Webspam Algorithm Update’. It was created by Google to help reduce the number of sites appearing in [SERPs](/glossary/serp) that were using black hat SEO techniques to manipulate results with link schemes. It is also now part of Google’s core algorithm.
## How Does The Google Penguin Update Work?
The Penguin Update works by [crawling](http://growhackscale.com/marketing-glossary/google-crawlers) backlinks on websites and assigning each [backlink](http://growhackscale.com/marketing-glossary/backlinks-seo) a score. Some of the backlinks that the Penguin Update will zone in on are:
- Bought links
- Backlinks from untrustworthy sources
- Backlinks that have the same [anchor text](/marketing-glossary/anchor-text)
- Bot-built backlinks
- Backlinks from irrelevant sites
## Why Was The Penguin Update Needed?
If your website is found to have the above, it will be hit with a [Google Penalty](https://growhackscale.com/marketing-glossary/google-penalty). A Google Penalty means that not only will your ranking drop in [SERPs](/marketing-glossary/serp), but traffic to your site will also decrease.
In recent years, however, Google has diluted Penguin’s effect. The Penguin Update is now granular and real time.
### What Does It Mean for the Penguin Update to Be Granular?
The Penguin 4.0 roll out was actually very beneficial for website creators. It saw the Penguin Update become more selective in relation to penalties.
This means that instead of a whole site being hit by a penalty, now the [algorithm](/blog/google-algorithm-updates) can select parts of the website. This could be for example, a single page, or a sub-directory.
## What Is the Impact of a Real Time Penguin Update?
The Penguin Update is now also real time. This means that a website can get flagged up for link schemes at any time. For this reason, it is important to stay up to date with your backlinks.
You don’t want a penalty to sneak up on you unknowingly. To keep this from happening, frequently [disavow links](/marketing-glossary/disavow-backlinks).
The update, however, is actually a good thing. It means that you no longer must wait for a refresh. If you put in the effort to remedy the situation, Google will notice quickly, and you can hopefully regain your ranking.
## How to Recover From Penguin
Once you have diagnosed it was a Penguin algorithm that hit you, you need to need to figure out a strategy for recovery. Below are some of the techniques that will help you bounce back:
### 1. Review Your Backlink Profile
Go through all of your backlinks and assess their quality. If they’re blacklisted, then it's time to say goodbye to them.
### 2. Removing and Disavowing Bad Links
Remove all the bad links that you are able to. For the ones you can’t remove yourself, use [Google’s Disavow tool](https://search.google.com/search-console/welcome?utm_source=about-page).
### 3. Invest Time in Creating Quality and Reliable Links
Use social media platforms. Set up legitimate Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter pages. Fill them with quality content, and link to these sites on your website.
### How Can We Help?
Did you just get hit with a penalty thanks to the Penguin update?
Seems like your backlinks need an overhaul.
Let us pair you with a great marketing team by getting in touch with us today.
