Google’s new Helpful Content Update brings some changes to its search algorithms, which is intended to help people find the most helpful and reliable results. People are constantly looking for information that will help them solve specific problems or accomplish particular tasks. Unfortunately, so many websites out there create content only for the sake of exposure and visibility in search engine results pages. With this update, Google cracks down on websites that don’t provide content valuable to readers. The SEO experts Sydney answers the most questions about this update below.
What is the Helpful Content Update?
According to Google, “The helpful content update aims to better reward content where visitors feel they’ve had a satisfying experience, while content that doesn’t meet a visitor’s expectations won’t perform as well.”
There’s been lot of discussion lately about the “Search Engine-First” or “SEO-First” content that simply relies on keywords and ranking metrics, instead of actually helping people. The purpose of the new update is to prioritise and reward high-quality content that are written with human readers in mind.
Several websites that rank well don’t seem to provide valuable information that users are looking for. That’s because the content on these sites were solely optimised to gain better ranking on SERPS. As part of Google’s new algorithm, these types of websites will be downgraded moving forward, while websites featuring content written for users will be favoured above those tailored for search engines.
Is the Update Ready?
According to a SEO specialist Sydney, the update already started rolling out on August 25, 2022 and completed on September 9, 2022.
How Will the Update Affect My Site?
This depends on the type of content you have published on site. If your content is written to get high rankings on site, it is likely that your site might be affected by this update. Websites with unique, high-quality content that answers user queries in a simple, straightforward manner would benefit in the long run. SEO consultants Sydney have always advised creators to create content that caters to the interests of users, not search engines. The guideline has become more relevant than ever with the implementation of this update.
Does this Update Impact All Types of Content?
Google has specified that the helpful content update will only impact specific niches that are plagued by low-quality, SEO-first content. If your website belongs to any of the domains listed below, you must be cautious.
- Online education
- Arts and entertainment
- Tech
- Shopping
Content creators in the aforementioned industries must modify their strategy to deliver unique and user-friendly content that will rank higher. That said, it’s too early to comment on how big of an impact this update will impose on SEO Sydney right now.
What Should I do to Rank Better?
Here are three key things to remember:
- Stick To Your Area of Expertise:
For most writers, their subject matter is what they know best and this is what fuels the writing process. However, it is important to write about topics you feel passionate about so readers will be compelled by your words. For instance, if you write articles on parenting, there’s a chance you have children of your own. You can use anecdotes from your own experience as well as insights from other parents that have successfully raised their kids in an effective way.
- Your Website Should Specialise in One Niche:
Niche is the key. There are so many different topics out there and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but if you focus on one niche and really delve into it, you’ll find it much easier. On the flip side, if you publish content on too many subjects at once, it will dilute your efforts and might result in none of them getting the attention they deserve.
For example, someone who owns a beauty salon might write only about hair styling tips and tricks, while someone with a construction business might write only about roofing. The great thing is that when your website specialises in one niche, users will find it extremely rewarding. This eventually enhances your local SEO Sydney.
- Your Content Should Provide Answers:
It is important that you publish content that answers user queries. It will take time and practice, but by writing content with the intention of answering questions, you’ll be able to write great articles more efficiently in the future.
Does this Update Apply to All Languages?
For now, the helpful content update is meant for English-language searches worldwide. Google will notify as soon as the update is expanded to other languages down the line. Additionally, the update currently works only on Google Search. The company has plans to include other products – such as Google Discover – in the next few months.
While the change may seem subtle, it may or may not significantly impact your brand’s content ranks on Google search results pages and how many of your potential customers discover your content in the first place. Focusing on people rather than keywords is key if you want your site to be well-received by Google. The focus should be on creating quality content that is helpful for your readers, rather than just trying to stuff your keywords in there so they come up higher when someone searches for them. If you have any more questions about the update, feel free to get in touch with the best SEO company in Sydney today.
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