Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM) can both be found under the wide umbrella of Ecommerce SEO, a term that covers a broad spectrum of constantly evolving online marketing techniques. New Internet sales strategies pop up like daisies in order to keep pace with the near otherworldly ability of search engine spiders to crawl over trillions of words of indexed content in the blink of an eye.Capturing the undivided attention of a lightning fast, top secret algorithm is no mean feat, but that’s what high ROI, Ecommerce SEO is all about – blending an art and science alloy used to forge a powerful marketing tool no online seller wants to be without.

When Internet advertising professionals talk about Ecommerce website development, their undivided attention is typically focused on a Google search strategy. This is because, going into 2011, Yahoo, Bing, and all other search engines combined area mere blip on the search radar when compared to Google’s near 90% ownership of the worldwide search industry. Nascent rumors that the Internet giant is on a downward spiral are not supported by the facts, though, change is in the wind. Around the globe, countless online marketers are responding to a very recent and significant advance in organic search technology – it seems Google’s incredibly smart mathematicians have been at it again.

What’s Brand New in Ecommerce SEO for 2011? Enter the “Panda Update” or “Farmer Algorithm”

We suspect that Google’s spiders were on steroids when they achieved the much anticipated or (by some) much dreaded “Panda Update”. Far more than a minor algorithmic tweak, the Panda will serve as one more high-tech arrow Google has aimed at the virtual heart of those who still insist on trying to beat the system. Officially launched on February 22, 2011, Google’s latest search formula is also widely known as the “Farmer Algorithm” because it effectively targets content farms such as certain article distribution sites, as well as aggregated content sites that accumulate vast amounts of plagiarized copy. The hard working Farmer is also rolling up its sleeves to plow under some websites that are excessively monetized by advertising with little to no relevant accompanying content.

How Does the Farmer Affect Your Ecommerce Design Strategy?

It has been estimated that Google’s new algorithm will directly affect 11-12% of all Web searches in the United States, though its influence on worldwide, Ecommerce website development is unknown at this time. Yes, change is in the wind, but ethical Ecommerce SEO marketers won’t feel so much as a gentle breeze if they remain loyal to what is tried and true: expert keyword/key-phrase analysis and usage; the most advanced coding; state of the art, search-centric software applications; quality link importation, and last but most important of all, unique and highly relevant content.There’s no question that Web copy will now be scrutinized ever more closely by the high-minded Farmer, and Ecommerce design professionals should please take note – it’s alwaysa good idea to wear a “white hat”.