Google’s Helpful Content Update & What it Means For Your Business
Google has stated that they will be launching a new helpful content algorithm update that will have a large impact on search engine rankings in the coming weeks and months.
What is the New Algorithm Update?
The name ‘helpful content’ is the key. This update is designed to better the ranking of content deemed helpful in the eyes of Google. This means any content that has been made to provide great value to users, instead of playing the system with long, keyword-rich content that is just there to tick all the SEO boxes.
Over the years, content has become longer and more keyword rich as search engine marketing experts saw success in the long-form content model. Now, this model may no longer be as useful, with Google looking to give better treatment to websites that provide succinct, valuable information to users.
When Will the Helpful Content Update Rollout?
Google is set to launch the helpful content update with changes starting on the 25th of August 2022. That being said, the update itself will roll out gradually through the remainder of the year and have lasting repercussions beyond this time frame.
There is no telling how search engine rankings will change following this update, nor does anyone but the people at Google know how dramatic this update will be. It does seem a little daunting, hearing that there’s an update rolling in, and not knowing exactly how it can affect you, but there is more information to take in before you start worrying.
Will This Be a Substantial Update to Google’s Algorithm?
It may be. The last Google update was Panda, which really hit hard on low-quality content. Now, Google uses the Panda update as a ranking signal for all websites to determine their content’s relevancy, quality and originality.
For all intents and purposes, this new update should be treated as being of a similar magnitude. If Google is actually serious about changing the fundamental SEO ranking algorithm, this would be a monumental change.
The reason this change has come about is that the search results currently on Google are filled with websites that provide low-quality re-published content for the sake of increasing SEO metrics. With this update, we may see a huge shift as Google takes into account vital on-page metrics such as time on page and bounce rate. This is done to determine the usefulness and relevance of the content displayed in organic search results.
What Information Has Google Provided?
Google has provided a guidance document that outlined what helpful content update means for users and webmasters. This document is very straightforward and doesn’t offer much detail, but is important to keep in mind.
Quality Content will Rank Better
Google would like to make it easier for users to access original, high-quality content that makes it easier for users to find information, without making them wade through long-form content to get to it.
Some of the benefits of this change include:
- You can rank higher for content that provides valuable information for users.
- Make information easier to find within search engines.
- Better results for education, arts, entertainment, shopping and tech.
- Authentic, original information means users may find original content that they haven’t seen before.
Product Reviews by the Experts
Following the latest updates to product reviews, the second objective of the document outlines how “professionally written” product reviews will be the focus of the content update.
Here are some of the benefits this change offers:
- More helpful product reviews written by experts
- Make it easier for users to find valuable information when searching the web
- Access helpful information quickly via search.
Here’s What You Should Be Keeping in Mind
When it comes to the new upgrade, Google has outlined what they are flagging and what they are looking for.