When it comes to maintaining and improving your website’s visibility on Google, staying ahead of the curve requires understanding the latest shifts in the search engine algorithms.
There was recently a core update to Google’s algorithm regarding the platform’s Helpful Content System. As a business owner, recognizing how this system operates and its potential impact on your site’s rankings is extremely important.
In this article, we’ll explain how to play by the rules of the Helpful Content System and align your content strategy to stay competitive in the SERPs (search engine results pages).
What Is Google’s Helpful Content System?
The Helpful Content System is an advanced algorithm update designed to improve the quality of search results by prioritizing content that provides genuine value to users.
Unlike traditional SEO strategies that often focus on keyword optimization and other technical aspects to rank higher, this system emphasizes content created with the user in mind.
It seeks to elevate content that is informative, well-researched, and written by knowledgeable authors, ensuring that users receive relevant and useful information that directly addresses their queries.
The primary goal of the Helpful Content System is to enhance the user experience on Google by demoting unhelpful content that is unoriginal, shallow, or primarily designed to manipulate search rankings.
Unhelpful content includes content that lacks depth, is overly optimized for search engines without providing real value, or is duplicated across multiple sites.
How To Create Helpful Content
If you want your website to remain competitive in the Google search results, then you’ve got to play by the rules of this core ranking system.
The way to do that is by following a few key principles to create the type of content that is deemed ‘helpful’. Here are the top ways to make sure your content is helpful.
Demonstrate E-E-A-T
E-E-A-T stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. This is a critical component in the Helpful Content System.
Experience – Refers to firsthand knowledge or involvement the content creator has with the topic.
Expertise – Refers to the depth of knowledge and skill the author has in a particular field.
Authoritativeness – Relates to the reputation and recognition of the author or website within the industry.
Trustworthiness – Evaluates the reliability and integrity of the content and its source.
As we previously mentioned, Google wants to provide its users with the highest quality information, enhancing the overall user experience and fostering greater trust in the search results user’s receive.
The E-E-A-T framework helps Google evaluate the quality of content and the credibility of the source providing it. High E-E-A-T content typically offers well-researched, accurate, and valuable information that users can trust.
Incorporate Semantic SEO
Semantic SEO involves using related topics and keywords to create content that better aligns with the way users search for information. Semantic SEO goes beyond traditional keyword optimization by focusing on the context and meaning behind search queries.
By using related topics and keywords, a piece of content becomes more comprehensive, covering various aspects of a subject and answering potential questions a user might have.
Semantic SEO is a significant factor in Google’s Helpful Content System because it enhances the relevance and depth of the content. This provides a richer, more valuable experience for users, addressing their needs more holistically.
As a result, content that leverages semantic SEO is more likely to rank higher in search results, as it aligns with Google’s goal of providing users with the most comprehensive and contextually accurate information possible.
Fast Page Load Speed
Google prioritizes fast-loading websites in its search rankings because speed is a direct indicator of usability. When a website loads quickly, users can access the information they need without frustrating delays, leading to higher satisfaction and lower bounce rates.
Using smaller HTML sizes within your content can contribute to faster load times by reducing the amount of data that needs to be transferred between your server and the user’s device.
A faster website can also positively impact other metrics such as user engagement, session duration, and conversion rates.
Comprehensive Content
Comprehensive content that’s well-optimized for user intent helps to ensure users receive the most complete answers to their queries.
Comprehensive content thoroughly covers a topic, addressing the various facets of the topic. This depth of information enhances the value of the content and also positions it as a credible resource on the subject.
We touched on this with Semantic SEO, but optimizing for user intent means understanding the underlying purpose behind a user’s search query and tailoring the content to meet that specific need whether it’s informational, transactional, or navigational.
Remember, Google’s algorithm is designed to prioritize content that best matches what users are searching for.
When content aligns with user intent and provides detailed, well-rounded information, users are more likely to stay on the page longer, explore additional content, and share the information, all of which are positive signals to Google’s ranking system.
Informational Content vs Transactional Content
Informational searches and buyer intent searches serve different user needs, and the depth of content required for each varies accordingly.
Informational searches are conducted by users seeking to learn about a specific topic, understand a concept, or find detailed answers to their questions.
These queries typically demand more comprehensive content that thoroughly explores the subject from multiple angles, providing in-depth information, explanations, and insights.
In contrast, buyer intent searches are performed by users who are looking to make a purchase or compare products and services. These searches are typically more transactional and require content that is focused, concise, and directly related to helping the user make a purchasing decision.
Domain Authority
Domain authority is important because it reflects the overall credibility and trustworthiness of a website.
Domain authority is determined by various factors, including the quality and quantity of inbound links from other reputable sites, the age of the domain, the consistency of content updates, and the site’s overall user experience.
Websites with high domain authority are generally considered more reliable and authoritative sources of information, as they have established a strong reputation over time.
A high domain authority indicates that your site is recognized within your industry or niche, has a history of producing valuable content, and is likely to offer accurate and dependable information.
Does Your Content Stack Up With Google’s Helpful Content Update?
Keeping up with search engine updates can be challenging, especially for business owners who have countless other responsibilities. Making sure your content meets this new standard of quality and relevance requires time, expertise, and constant attention to detail.
At Alchemy, we understand the complexities of these updates and are here to help you navigate them successfully. Our team of experts can optimize your content strategy to align with Google’s guidelines, boosting your search rankings and driving more traffic to your site.
Don’t let search engine updates overwhelm you—call us at 877-978-2110 to speak with one of our marketing experts and learn how we can elevate your online presence and keep your business ahead of the curve.
