Is Google going to punish “over-optimization”?

So Google’s Matt Cutts said something at SXSW back in March about Google introducing a filter/penalty change to possibly punish websites that “over-optimize”.   That poor choice of words caused something of a digital freak-out over the last few months.   Let’s take a look at the reality of what Mr. Cutts was trying to say. 

Granted, what Matt said was vague (at best), but one thing that leaves little room for speculation is:

So all those people who have sort of been doing (for lack of a better word) “over optimization” or “overly” doing their SEO, compared to the people who are just making great content and trying to make a fantastic site, Google wants to sort of make that playing field a little more level.

So, Google wants to do something about “over-optimization.”  That’s not saying they want to do something about SEO.   As Matt clarified later:

We have nothing against SEO.  We have something against spamming.

So, for all those spammers masquerading as “SEO professionals”, look out!  For the ethical SEOer, have no fear.  Google comes up with all sorts of new “penalties” from time to time and this one is actually in your favor.

Now, stop over-analyzing everything Matt Cutts says and let’s get back to just creating great websites and valuable content.

P.S. The featured video at the top is from Matt back in 2009 where he says there’s no such thing as “over-optimization.”  Back in 2009, he might have been right.  Fast forward to today, and the stakes are much higher…