Google announced another ‘helpful content’ update last month with some interesting revisions. The helpful content framework uses an automated ranking system to create search signals. These signals ensure that users clicking through see original content that’s created with the reader in mind.
What is Google’s stance on content that doesn’t put the reader first?
“Any content—not just unhelpful content—on sites determined to have relatively high amounts of unhelpful content overall is less likely to perform well in Search, assuming there is other content elsewhere from the web that’s better to display. For this reason, removing unhelpful content could help the rankings of your other content.”
Key takeaways from the most recent helpful content update include:
????️ Google is cracking down on posts where the publisher has changed the date to make the content seem fresh without substantial changes.
???? For anyone using AI-generated content, Google still looks at whether the content has been “written or reviewed by an expert or enthusiast who demonstrably knows the topic well”.
???? All content, including micro-site and sub-domain content, should have relevance and meet the same quality standards as the primary site.
In short, Google continues to focus on the reader’s experience when they visit a site. It’s an excellent time to ask yourself: is your content written for your brand, for SEO, or for your site visitors? ❗Spoiler alert ❗the last option is what will help you rank.
Learn more about Google’s Helpful Content System. And get a more detailed breakdown of the updates from Search Engine Journal.
