Google’s Helpful Content Update: What It Means For Marketers

Google’s latest helpful content update seeks to elevate the user experience in search results. Here’s how to harness its power to make your content stand out from the crowd.

Let’s take a look at Google’s September 2023 helpful content update, shall we? It’s up and running after a two-week rollout. It will take some time to get a good grip on the changes and how they impact us in our day to day. However, generally speaking, this update means that more than ever content marketers should think like searchers when planning content for their clients.

In the ever-evolving landscape of the internet, staying relevant and useful is essential for websites and the people who optimize them. Duh, right? And Google, being the world’s most popular search engine, constantly updates its algorithms to ensure users receive the best possible search results. So how might this new update affect content marketers?

Part of the update deals directly with content generated by AI. For example, Google has replaced the words “written by people” with the phrase “helpful content created for people in search results”?

Above and beyond that, however, the latest helpful content update allows us to suss out some more details. This info should help you site-wide and over the long term to remove unhelpful content and produce more quality content that continues to help you through all Google’s ranking updates.

Understanding the Helpful Content Update

Google rewards websites that provide helpful and informative content. And its helpful content updates are a wellspring of actionable information for website owners and content creators.

The updates are a continuing effort on the part of Google to improve the quality of search results. The current update is in great part focused on identifying and promoting webpages that offer valuable information and solutions to users’ queries.

What should you know about Google’s September 2023 Helpful Content Update?

AI-Generated Content

First, as referenced above, Google no longer includes verbiage related to content “written by people.” Google does not care how one generates content — only that it serves users.

Elevating High-Quality Content

With this update, Google intends to prioritize high-quality, helpful, and informative content in search results. If you’re already producing content that meets those standards, then Google says you don’t need to do anything. Websites that consistently deliver valuable content are likely to see improved visibility in search rankings.

Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T):

The concept of E-E-A-T remains crucial. Google places high importance on the experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness of websites and content creators. Establishing credibility within your niche is vital for ranking well in search results.

E-E-A-T helps establish authority and trustworthiness in your niche and showcases your expertise and credentials. It’s a good idea to always include author bios and credentials on your website, especially for content that requires expertise.

Some agencies and businesses remove bylines from blog posts and articles written by people no longer associated with them. Instead, they should keep those bylines attached to the content, especially if the person who wrote it is an experienced, authoritative expert with a high degree of trustworthiness.

User Intent

The helpful content update emphasizes understanding and aligning with user intent. Websites that cater to the specific needs and questions of their target audience will likely perform better in search rankings.

Core Web Vitals

User experience plays a pivotal role in this update. Google evaluates a website’s loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability, known as Core Web Vitals, to determine its user-friendliness.

Mobile Optimization

As mobile browsing continues to grow, mobile-friendly websites gain more prominence in search results. Google’s mobile-first indexing ensures that websites optimized for mobile devices are prioritized.

What Does It Mean for Website Owners and Content Creators?

Now that we have a grasp of the key aspects of Google’s helpful content update, let’s explore what this means for those who manage websites and create content.

Focus on Quality

It’s more important than ever to prioritize the quality of your content. Content creators should avoid thin, shallow, or duplicate content. Invest time in thorough research and create comprehensive, valuable resources that answer users’ questions.

Keyword Research and Optimization

Continue to perform keyword research to understand what users are searching for. Optimize your content with relevant keywords while maintaining a natural flow.

User-Centric Approach

Align your content with the intent of your target audience. You must address their pain points, questions, and needs. Create content that genuinely helps users.

Technical Optimization

Pay attention to technical SEO aspects, such as improving page loading speed, enhancing mobile responsiveness, and ensuring a smooth user experience.

Regular Updates

Keep your content up to date and accurate. Google values fresh and relevant information, so make it a habit to update older posts when necessary.

To sum it all up: Google’s helpful content system reflects the search engine’s commitment to providing users with valuable, reliable, and relevant information. For website owners and content creators, this update underscores the importance of focusing on quality, expertise, and user-centricity.

By adhering to the principles of the helpful content system, you can improve your website’s search engine rankings, attract more organic traffic, and ultimately provide a better online experience for your audience.

Want to stay informed about Google’s algorithm updates and continue to adapt your SEO strategies to remain competitive in the ever-changing digital content landscape? Contact Webfor to learn more about our services.