- - - Author Interview with Ruby Binns-Cagney - - -

Author Interview with Ruby Binns-Cagney

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?

I grew up in a small town in England. I lived near a library, and got into reading fiction books while attending college.
I enjoyed crime thrillers by Lawrence Block, James Patterson, and Patricia Cornwell, and it gave me an interest in Criminology and Psychology and I put it together from there.
After college I got interested in Forensic Science, and took my interests further into my book writing, which features crime scene investigations and forensic testing of evidence in homicides, based in New York City.

When did you first start writing?

I wrote my first fictional short story book on paper aged sixteen. I showed it to my classmates, and told them to look out for it to be published.
Of the friends who read the book, they all said it was fantastic.
It gave me a real confidence boost.
It wasn't until much later in life that I got around to being a self-published Author due to extensive travel and career plans.
I gained certification as a Life and Relationship Coach, and write relationship self-help books alongside fiction.

What's the story behind your latest book?

My latest new fiction book, "1-8-7 Homicide, New York," is an espionage-themed crime thriller featuring NYPD's Detective Sergeant Finkel Macaulay.
The challenge for Macaulay begins when she discovers her husband, FBI Supervisory Special Agent Nick Benson has kept a major secret from her, and it rocks their marriage. They're already trying to cope with Nick's Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and it's getting worse. His medication has stopped working, and he becomes violent, with disastrous consequences.
It was challenging to create such intense drama for the main characters because they're usually romantic with each other.
I hope my readers will enjoy it, and give me their thoughts.

What motivated you to become an indie author?

I had a manuscript ready for a long time before I broached the idea of self-publishing as an Indie Author. The learning curve for digital publishing was very steep until I discovered Smashwords, and how simple it was to have extended distribution to other retailers.
I spent an entire weekend and emerged with a book published and on sale.
It was a pivotal moment in my writing career.
Now I publish one book every month. I enjoy writing so much I set up BinnsCagneyPublishing and Design Co to encourage new Authors to self-publish.

How has Smashwords contributed to your success?

From the get go, Smashwords has metaphorically held my hand through the entire digital publishing process. Without any assistance I've been able to produce high quality digital books on many platforms for eBook readers including Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook, and Canada's Kobo reader.

What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

I especially enjoy creating high suspense and drama. Keeping the readers guessing what will happen next. Unlike a movie, readers have to get to the next part of the plot over several days' reading.
The build up of suspenseful story telling is the real skill.
Once the reader cares about whether the characters survive the explosion, or manage to escape from the serial killer hopefully goes a long way to their enjoyment of my books. I certainly hope so!

What do your fans mean to you?

My fans mean the world to me. I get so many messages on Facebook and on my blog from fans who love NYPD's Detective Sergeant Finkel Macaulay and the FBI's Supervisory Special Agent Nick Benson, and often ask me if they will stay together!
It helps that Finkel and Nick are so sexy and passionate, and enjoy being physical with each other.
I introduced a new character, Mike Sabrini, who is a Crime Scene Investigator who becomes infatuated with Finkel, and the fans went wild !
Some of them told me in no uncertain terms that Finkel belongs with Nick !
I found it so incredible that my fans are already so invested in my characters.
I love to hear from fans at my Facebook Page Author Ruby Binns-Cagney because it's important to me to connect with them, and give them the enjoyment of my books they seek.

What are you working on next?

I've just finished writing "1-8-7 Homicide New York" which is available for Pre-Order at Smashwords, and will be published on September 7.
The next book in the 'Detective Macaulay Homicide Case' series is called '5th Avenue Murder' and is available in twelve languages, and you can sample it at Amazon.com soon!
In fact, all my books are available for sampling at Smashwords.com at anytime.

Books by This Author

1-8-7 Homicide - New York    by Ruby Binns-Cagney

Pre-release — available September 7, 2013. Price: $2.99 USD. Approx. 56,550 words. Language: American English. Category: Fiction.

From The Author of 'Pandora's Box' and 'The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy' comes a thriller with a tantalizing twist. Divorce Attorney Helena Webster-Rumholdt is assaulted in Central Park while out on a run. A victim's body is found in Central Park's Lake and NYPD's Detective Finkel Macaulay is called in to investigate.

Tabula Rasa    by Ruby Binns-Cagney

Price: $3.99 USD. Approx. 57,690 words. Language: English. Published on July 27, 2013. Category: Fiction.

NYPD Detective Finkel Macaulay takes on a Homicide case which brings death to her door. When one of their own is abducted, the NYPD and FBI scramble to capture him. As she pursues the killer,Finkel has to make a decision which could cost her everything she ever wanted.

Pandora's Box    by Ruby Binns-Cagney

Price: $2.99 USD. Approx. 25,950 words. Language: English. Published on June 29, 2013. Category: Fiction.

A grisly Homicide case leaves Detective Macaulay's life changed forever. One Homicide Detective. One FBI Special Agent. One suspect.One mysterious box. Two corpses. As one man's impulse to kill is challenged, his horrifying grip on a small town is threatened. Detective Macaulay's determination to stop him comes with unforeseen risk.

One For The Money - The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy #1   by Ruby Binns-Cagney

Price: $1.99 USD. Approx. 11,430 words. Language: English. Published on May 16, 2013. Category: Fiction.

***IT’S FINALLY HERE! The 1st book in the Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy!!*** Flirty, Frisky, Frantic and Frightening: "One For The Money" is just plain thrilling!!!! The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy brings you sizzle and sleuth-boggling murder, chaos and mayhem. Overview of One For The Money: One corpse. One manhunt. One chance for Macaulay to trap a sadist. The countdown begins.

Lay Lady Lay - The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy #2    by Ruby Binns-Cagney

Price: $1.99 USD. Approx. 18,520 words. Language: English. Published on May 22, 2013. Category: Fiction.

**IT’S HERE! The 2nd book in the Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy!!*** Fast paced, sexy, and exciting !!!! The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy picks up the pace - A relentless sadist has put a target on Detective Macaulay's back. The clock is ticking. Overview of Lay Lady Lay: One dead blonde. One bomb. One sadist. Detective Macaulay is not about to quit.

Albatross The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy #3    by Ruby Binns-Cagney

Price: $1.99 USD. Approx. 28,710 words. Language: English. Published on June 9, 2013. Category: Fiction.

****The FBI and NYPD's hunt for Bo Harknett intensifies to its thrilling climax. ****** One life hangs in the balance. One chance. Time is running out. Will Detective Macaulay get there in time to capture Harknett?

Ultimate Intimacy    by Ruby Binns-Cagney

Price: $0.99 USD. Approx. 10,340 words. Language: English. Published on April 17, 2013. Category: Nonfiction.

How do you achieve an ultimate level of intimacy which lasts, deepens and grows? When you are in a happy, passionate relationship, you want it to last. Inevitably, the passion cools and soon fades. "Ultimate Intimacy" has expert relationship advice which guides you towards new ways to develop real intimacy, which serve as a foundation you can build the crucial components of intimacy upon.

All About Love - A Guide To Evolving Relationships    by Ruby Binns-Cagney

Price: $1.97 USD. Approx. 5,150 words. Language: English. Published on February 19, 2013. Category: Nonfiction.

What do you want your relationship to mean to you? What is it about love that attracts you to it? How can you grow as a couple once you are in love? These are questions which are answered in 'All About Love-A Guide To Evolving Relationships' the exciting new book from Ruby Binns-Cagney, Expert Relationship Coach.

Love Over 40: Find Real Lasting Love    by Ruby Binns-Cagney

Price: $1.99 USD. Approx. 9,480 words. Language: English. Published on January 31, 2013. Category: Nonfiction.

'Love Over 40' is the essential guide for women, and anyone aged 40 or over who wants to find lasting love, whether you have just ended a relationship or marriage, or have not dated for some time.This valuable self help book is written by relationship expert Ruby Binns-Cagney, who has Coached thousands of clients to help them find real lasting love. A great reference guide for modern dating.

New York City & Times Square Night Tour

I love New York City, so it made absolute sense to based my character, NYPD's Detective Finkel Macaulay there. Her office is in Columbus Circle and she drives from her home in Rivington Street, off-Soho, to the office. 

In the video clip you can follow the same route Macaulay takes to work, up through Times Square, and across to the West 57th Street exit to leave Midtown.

Sony's eReader Store Launches 'Emotion Match-Ups' Book Store

As a self-published Author my books are distributed through the Sony eReader Store, among other retailers such as as the Apple iBook Store and ITunes.

Imagine my surprise when I visited the Sony eReader store page for my book and saw the new emotion-led book store!

Sony have struck gold with this concept.

Given how frequently our moods can change, tapping into your emotional state before you purchase an eBook is a stroke of genius.

Try it for yourself here Sony eReader Store

NEW Paperback Book: Tabula Rasa - A Detective Macaulay Homicide Case - ISBN 978-1491096734

Paperback released at amazon.com 

ISBN 978-1491096734

Amazon.com for Kindle 

and

Smashwords.com for all other eBook readers

Other books by Ruby Binns-Cagney:  available at Amazon.com 

Kate, The Wait, & The Royal Babygate Saga

This month was a lesson about waiting. 

Patience. 

Delayed gratification. 

As the entire British Nation, World, Cosmos, and Globe waited for the appearance of the Royal Baby, a mob of global Media gathered outside the hospital which was one possible location for the impending birth. The Duchess, however, was nested away at a second location, with a second hospital on standby.

For days, the Media camped out in front of the hospital, hoping and praying for a glimpse of the Duchess entering the hospital, with the birth of the much anticipated heir to the Throne pending.

The soaring heat and endless sticky humidity did not deter them. The Media grew more determined to capture that first image of the Duchess arriving at the hospital. 

They waited, and waited, and waited. 

Even Her Majesty, the Great-Grandmother-In-Waiting pitched in with her opinion on the delay. Now it seems that her engagements will take her out of the country at the same time as the Duchess may be in labour. 

Providence, I'd say. Counting chickens... and all that parlance.

And so this month's lesson for this Author has been about patience. Wanting my new book to hurry up and get published. It's turning into a tome. I have to be patient and allow the writing process to fully expand.

With my creativity being at an all time high this month, I added to my craft by re-imagining my book covers. A work of pleasure, I must admit, and a real sense of accomplishment about my ability to transform an otherwise dull cover into a multi-dimensional work of art. The finished product:

Pandora's Box

Amazon.com (Kindle)

Out Now.

Ruby Binns-Cagney is a successful Self-Published Author at Amazon.com for Kindle and at Smashwords.com for Apple iPad.

This Month's Writing Challenge - July

July

Wonderful July came screeching in, bringing with it the chaos and mayhem of computer glitches, for want of a better word. When one makes ones living from writing, and it is one's craft, inevitably things go awry.

Take for instance the Microsoft Windows Update which lasted most of an entire evening, and left me frustrated and 'inoperable'. Frequent checks to see whether the update had finished, blotting of fevered brow, and ensuing frustration. I lost an entire day of creativity due to this update. Imagine my horror then, to discover that the laptop would not boot after the installation of said update. I'm one of those laptop owners who kept the manual. Fortunately, I also kept the install discs. Unfortunately, I didn't have the Windows 7 installation disc, so now I'm without a laptop. 

As providence would have it, I had recently backed up all my work onto Google Drive. I also have a Mac Mini sitting in the corner, where the uncomfortable chair makes my back hurt, and my feet become swollen within hours of being seated there. I write best when I am on the couch, next to the window, with bright sunshine pouring in. I am also opposite the television, where I can select various radio channels to hum away in the background.

My challenge this month was technology. The laptop will be repaired, when i get around to it. It isn't old, but it isn't a priority right now. I've swapped to the Mac Mini, and Smashwords happily snap up and convert into all the other formats, and my e book is published, as before.

Until the Windows Update problem is resolved, I shall not be setting my computers to automatically download them anymore. If I take control over when downloads occur, I hope to minimise the disruption to my craft. My advice to you, Dear Reader, is to backup, remotely store your files in the Cloud, and above all, have a second computer where you can get set up and be on our way again.

'Tabula Rasa - A Detective Macaulay Homicide Case' - July 31, Smashwords.com and Amazon.com for Kindle, and at all the retailers below(via Smashwords.com)

'The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy' by Ruby Binns-Cagney is available at Amazon.com for Kindle  or at smashwords.com for Apple iPad, Kobo Books, Barnes and Noble Nook, and more (via Smashwords.com).

What are your writing challenges? Sound off in the comments.

Meet The Characters - 'The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy'

The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy

---- Characters ---

NYPD Detective Finkel Macaulay is a third-generation African American woman who does not give up. Through her career with NYPD she has seen her fair share of pain, heartache and personal loss. Nothing will stop Macaulay in the pursuit of criminal justice. Macaulay is a caramel-skinned woman with long legs that don't quit. Her favourite companion is her Glock 22. And chocolate chip cookies. In that order.Detective Macaulay is the only daughter of deceased Police Officer Ted Macaulay.

FBI Special Agent Nick Benson: Nick Benson is an ex-Marine Master Sergeant who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. He heads a joint NYPD-FBI Task Force, which is where he first encounters Detective Finkel Macaulay. Italian-American heritage, with an olive-skinned complexion, hazel eyes, and dark closely cropped hair. 

FBI Agent Diane Hepworth: Diane Hepworth is a descendant of the of the indigenous people of the Iroquois Nation in the Northwestern woodlands. Native American ancestors, with keen senses and intense spiritualistic abilities to read the energy of a space; instantly rating it as being occupied by negatively or positively charged energy. Diane is tall, blonde with blue eyes.Diane has the ability to heal people with her own energy. She is seen healing in this Trilogy. Also, Diane can tune in to the serial killers' mind and 'see' his crimes, helping the FBI with their murder investigations.

FBI Special Agent Ben Thomas: Ben Thomas is a descendant of the indigenous people of the Iroquois Nation in the Northwestern woodlands. Native American ancestors, with keen senses and intense spiritualistic abilities to read the energy of a space; instantly rating it as being occupied by negatively or positively charged energy. He's blond with blue eyes, and is Diane Hepworth's half-brother. Ben has similar empathic qualities to his sister, Diane. He prefers not to tap into the energies.

Bo Harknett - Sadistic Serial Killer: Bo Harknett gets his kicks by murdering innocent people. On Feb. 25, 2010, Harknett began stalking Detective Finkel Macaulay of Newhall Yard Police Department. 

This trilogy is centered around Harknett's character, and contains graphic depictions of his crimes. It is not therefore recommended that anyone under the age of 18 reads these books. 

'The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy' by Ruby Binns-Cagney is available at Amazon.com for Kindle  or at smashwords.com for Apple iPad, 

[Book Extract] One For The Money - The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy #1

Product Details

• File Size: 193 KB
• Print Length: 41 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Ruby Binns-Cagney; 1 edition (May 17, 2013)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00CVDQJ3Q
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled 
• 
  
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,290 Paid in Kindle Store 

One For The Money

***IT’S FINALLY HERE! The 1st book in the Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy!!***

Flirty, Frisky, Frantic and Frightening…One For The Money is just plain thrilling!!!! 

The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy pitches good against the ultimate in evil: a wonderful blend of sizzle and sleuth-boggling murder, chaos and mayhem.

Overview of One For The Money:

One dead body. 

One manhunt.

One chance for serial rapist Bo Harknett to escape.

One pissed-off detective.

Will time run out for Detective Macaulay, 

or will she get her man?

Extract from 'One For The Money - The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy #1'

Back at the police station, Mr Jacobs - the owner of the apartment where the victim, Deanne Morris, had been found - had arrived to be interviewed, and give a statement. 

Detective Baines opened the interview room door and we both stepped inside. I gave Baines the first chair and stood slightly to one side of the table. Baines spoke first.

“Mr Jacobs, I’m Detective Baines, and this is my partner, Detective Macaulay.”

“Hello, Detectives.” Mr Jacos said. “Hey.” I said,  and got down to business.

“Mr Jacobs, how well did you know the victim, Deanne Morris?” I said.

“Daniel, please. I’ve known her for many years but we were not close, I’m afraid.” Daniel Jacobs said.

“Any idea who would want her dead, Daniel?”

“No, this whole thing, it’s been really bad.  My Wife is so scared they will come back and kill us.”

“We’ll post a protective detail outside your apartment, don’t worry.” Baines said.

There was a knock at the interview room door. Officer Johnstone with an update for me.

“Excuse me, Daniel. Detective.” I said, and left the room. 

In the narrow corridor outside the interview room, Officer Johnstone looked serious.

“Detective, CST found something in a dumpster a couple of blocks away from the apartment building.”

Officer Johnstone handed me a plastic red tagged evidence bag with what looked like a blood-stained piece of material inside it. “Looks like an oily blood stained piece of rag.” I said. 

“CST  ran tests on the fibres, and found traces of the victim’s DNA, hair, and fingernails.” Johnstone continued.  She had put up a fight; now her murderer was on the run.

“Did the tox screen and rape kit come back yet?” I said, handing him the evidence bag.

“Not yet, should be a couple hours or so.” He said.

“Thank you, Johnstone.”  I said, and went back into the interview room.

I walked into the interview room and Mr Jacobs was still talking with Baines. I sat down next to Baines and handed Mr Jacobs my business card from across the table.

“If there is anything else that you remember, please give me a call. My direct line is on the card.” Baines looked at me, and I wondered if I had anything to more to add before we ended the interview.

“Do you recall any visitors to Miss Morris’ apartment prior to last night, Mr Jacobs?” I asked.

“No, Detective, she kept herself private, made no noise, she was an ideal rental client.”

“What do you know about her boyfriend, Brad Myers?”

“She’s met him at the County Fair last month- she was telling my Wife all about it. I don’t go in for that sort of thing.” He said, and smiled at the memory. “Her face lit up just talking about him.”

“Where does Brad Myers work, Mr Jacobs?”

“He’s a car mechanic, and has a small garage up on Elmwood Avenue. Part owns it with his daddy.”

“Thank you, we’ll look into it.” I said.

Baines went back to his desk while I went to see what the Coroner found after the tox screen and rape kit was fully processed.

One For The Money - The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy #1 is available now at Amazon.com for Kindle.

[BOOK Preview ] Love Over 40 - Find Real Lasting Love - Amazon Kindle

Product Details

• File Size: 193 KB
• Print Length: 42 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Ruby Binns-Cagney; 002 edition (February 3, 2013)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00BAVEMY8
• 
  
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #521,522 Paid in Kindle Store 
• 
  

Extract from the book ' Love Over 40 - Find Real Lasting Love'

The evolution of dating

Because their life expectancy is greater than men’s, 

women comprise a significant majority of

the older population. In the year 2000, the global

sex ratio of the population aged 60 or over was 81

males per hundred females. 

Thus, there were approximately 63 million more women

aged 60 years or older than there were men of the

same age. Since female mortality rates are lower

than male rates at older ages, the proportion of

women in the older population grows substantially

with advancing age. In 2000, women

outnumbered men by almost 4 to 3 at ages 65 or

older, and by almost 2 to 1 at ages 80 or above.

In the less developed regions, older women

do not outnumber older men to the same extent

since gender differences in life expectancy are

generally much smaller. Current sex ratios in

these regions average 88 men per hundred women

among persons aged 60 or over, and 65 among

those aged 80 years or older.

(Population Division, DESA, United Nations)

In fact, for single people over 40, finding true love is not solely about bringing fun into their lives; it is often primarily about finding a true companion with whom they can share the ups and downs of life. 

No matter if you are divorced, widowed, or have never been married; there is the hope of finding that one person who will truly care about you. 

For the rest of your life. 

If you are a middle aged single man or woman you might sometimes wonder how you got to this point in life remaining single. Ask yourself if this is how you want to spend the rest of your life. 

Do you really want to eat all your meals alone forever; 

or you are waiting for someone to come into your life and make it come alive with excitement and lasting happiness?  

If your answer is the latter, then this is what you need to initiate some changes in your life which may include minor adjustments to your appearance, your attitude and even the way you currently lead your life.

'Love Over 40 - Find Real Lasting Love' is available now at Amazon.com for Kindle.

Read 'Love Over 40 - Find Real Lasting Love' for free in the Kindle Owner's Lending Library (Amazon Prime Members in certain countries only)

• 
  

New Murder Case For Detective Finkel Macaulay

PANDORA'S BOX

Overview of Pandora's Box

Just when the traumatic events in Detective Finkel Macaulay's life seemed to have faded, now she's being challenged by a new murder case. 

Unable to respond to FBI Special Agent Nick Benson's sexual advances, Macaulay seeks solace in the Adirondack region of Upstate New York. 

With the intention of spending time with her new family, Finkel is unexpectedly wracked with guilt when a murder takes place while she is on vacation, and further progresses to prevent her from traveling to visit her new family.

Only after you have witnessed her anguish and turmoil will you understand the sacrifices Macaulay has to make in order to decide whether catching the perpetrator outweighs her joy of spending time with her new family.

*****Pandora's Box *****

Amazon.com for Kindle
Smashwords.com for Apple iPad

***** July 4th *****

Ruby Binns-Cagney is a successful self-published Author at smashwords.com and at Amazon.com for Kindle.

Albatross - The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy #3 - at amazon.com and smashwords.com now.

 

**** The FBI hunt for Bo Harknett intensifies to its thrilling climax. ******

One life hangs in the balance.
One chance for survival.
Time is running out.

Will Detective Macaulay get there in time?

The pursuit of sadist Bo Harknett takes Detective Finkel Macaulay into uncomfortable territory, which shocks her to the core.

The final part of this gripping, murder-based trilogy,

"Albatross - The Detective Macaulay Murders Trilogy #3" 

has just been published at amazon.com and at smashwords.com

Now that the trilogy has been published, I feel as though I have suffered a bereavement. I did not prepare myself for this overwhelming sense of loss, this feeling like I had lost "people" I love.

As I clicked 'publish' I did not steel my heart for the loss of my beloved characters. Characters who had been in my head and heart for weeks, months, and even years before I could finally confine them to page and screen, and book.

This sense of loss has me feeling bewildered, unsure what to do with myself, what to do to fill the void left by releasing my creativity out into the world.

Writing 'Albatross' was difficult, for a variety of reasons. 

Not only is it the longest of the trilogy, it is also the most challenging story-wise, with multiple story arcs and emotions all vying for your attention simultaneously.

Near the final paragraphs of the final chapter I even found myself making excuses not to finish it, and I did all I could to avoid sitting down to write the final few words.

If I told you that there were real tears in my eyes at some of the parts of this  final book, you would be astonished. I have a feeling that this book will take off - all the time I have been writing it, the story and dialogue has come to me in dreams. It felt at times like I was being helped to write this book, it often felt as though another's presence was helping me. 

Although I had crafted an outline of the book before starting to write it, the plan changed many times, taking on a life of its own. I went to sleep each night and had dreams about what my characters would do next, and when I woke up it was with a new found eagerness to put down on page and screen what I had dreamt about. 

Perhaps it is a 'stream of consciousness' that allowed me to tap into my psyche and write this incredibly suspenseful, thrilling and emotional book, and now that the Trilogy is complete, I have enough material coming to me while I sleep to write at least a dozen more books in this series.

I have arrived, Universe, embrace me.

If you wish to preview or download a sample all of the books in the Trilogy go to smashwords.com  for iPad iPod Touch, Apple iBookstore, Sony Reader, Barnes and Noble Nook, and Kobo Books Reader. Amazon for Kindle also allow you to download a sample to your Kindle device.

To look inside this book, or to download a sample for Kindle, go to  amazon.com
Ruby Binns-Cagney is a successful self-published Author at smashwords.com and at Amazon.com for Kindle.

Google's Penguin 2.0 Update Has Arrived

(credit: national geographic)

Google Penguin 2.0 Update Background:

May 25 saw the implementation of the long-awaited Google Penguin 2.0 update.

Google started cleaning up the quality of content pulled into their search engine going back to the Panda update in 2011 which targeted low quality websites; ones with duplicate content, thin content, scraped content.

2012 heralded the blackhat spam update, Penguin, targeting those websites which were full of spammy links and redirects, and the ones where users were served pop-ups and pop-unders and redirects to porn websites and websites offering Viagra pills.

Penguin 2.0 update leads on from this, in an aggressive way, detailed below.


What Are The Main Factors?

The Google Penguin update is a fairly standard update that was aimed at reducing the webspam within the Google results. There have however been some highly documented factors that the Google Penguin update specifically targeted.

Google have publicly stated that the update was aimed at reducing web spam techniques utilized by many SEO’s, and the factors above clearly demonstrate that they have tried to attack web spam and low-quality content. 

About 2.3% of English-US queries are affected to the degree that a regular user might notice.

What can you do to improve your sites Page Rank post-Penguin if you notice your rank has dropped significantly?

>>Clean up your website. Remove old, duplicate ads, broken links, photos that are too big and load slowly.

>>Check the backlinks you have - do they help or harm your ranking? Use the Google disavow tool to remove backlinks which do not serve you in a positive way.

>>Avoid having too many ads above the fold.

>>Verify your website with Google by using an exact-match domain (for example, make sure you have an email address which matches your domain name, such as info@mydomainname.com from http://www.mydomainname.com) and get verified now.

>>Have a responsive website design: if your site takes a long time to load, revise this to make sure it loads faster. One way to do this is to use CSS to ensure that whichever device a visitor uses to view your website is an optimised experience.

>>Stop using paid links that pass PageRank - you will receive a penalty notice from Google if you continue to use paid links to make your PageRank higher.

These are just some of the Google Penguin 2.0 updates. Even if you do just one of the suggested improvements your PageRank will thank you.

Ruby Binns-Cagney is a successful self-published Author at smashwords.com and at Amazon.com for Kindle.