A periodic update of search engines is designed to improve the user experience. The demand for content ebbs and flows according to the demands of consumers. As content creators, we are responsible for creating content that both search engines and audiences will value.
In the SEO community, there has been a lot of talk regarding AI content. It almost seems that Google is against AI, which is not true. Google’s Helpful Content Update doesn’t necessarily oppose AI, but it does oppose low-quality content.
Unhelpful content, clickbait, or fluff are always better than helpful content written by AI or humans with expertise.
What is “Google’s Helpful Content” Algorithm Update?
When looking for useful information on the internet, Google is similar to most of us. When clicking a search result, we aim to find the needed information. Unfortunately, many websites have written content to rank well on search engines rather than providing useful content for visitors. In addition, Google prefers content authored by humans over content generated by artificial intelligence. Users are less likely to find AI-written content informative than keyword-focused content. Google’s philosophy of providing its users with accurate and timely information goes against this practice of writing content for them rather than the world.
To improve the online experience of Google users, Google focuses on improving search results and providing higher quality websites (thereby retaining their customers). With this Content Update Algorithm, users will get search results with “High-Quality Content” and content from real people who have gained authoritative knowledge about a particular topic. Search engine result pages reward websites with high-quality content with higher ranking signals, while search results penalize websites with poor content.
What Types Of Content Will Be Impacted?
Unlike a Core Update, Google stated that the algorithm change would be felt across all industries but also noted that some industries would feel the most impact. The following industries are among them:
- Shopping
- Entertainment/Arts
- Technology & Technology-Related Companies
- Sites that offer online education
These industries might be the most affected because most of their sites have been written primarily for search engine rankings rather than providing new & useful content for their visitors.
What Should You Do If The Helpful Content Update Impacts Your Website?
This Google Algorithm Update will affect the entire site but will not be as harmful as a manual action. It is possible to reverse ranking drops if you follow a set of steps. The following checklist will help you if you receive the Helpful Content Update.
- Getting Back to “Basics.”
Before developing a marketing strategy, it is imperative to examine the target audience thoroughly. The process of researching your personas is a common task in our workflow. Those are the facts that will never change.
The Helpful Content Update can be useful if we double-check our buyer persona. Check your empathy map to ensure your content meets your personas’ needs if you haven’t already.
- Relying Too Heavily on AI Should Be Avoided
The practice of creating content using artificial intelligence is a brand-new way of publishing a large number of pieces quickly. You should reconsider if you want an AI to generate content for you. Optimizing your content requires human editing if they are going to make a difference.
Consider using other tools to create content, such as actual data, competitors, and social listening. The SERPs display the most commonly asked questions and needs related to any topic, such as Answer The Public.
- Put Your Unique Value Into the Equation
Besides prioritizing written content, Google conveys a sense of the creator’s expertise through its content.
Not just Google. Your readers will also appreciate this. Visitors to your blog or website want to hear what you (or your brand) have to say about a particular subject.
The amount of information available online on the same subject is overwhelming. In what ways will you differentiate your website from those of your competitors? Your experience, knowledge, and expertise should be presented as examples, cases, data, and studies.
- Focus on a Specific Audience When Writing
As a result of the Helpful Content Update, Google is emphasizing the importance of a website not being a jack of all trades.
A technology, health, finance, or other topic-related website exists primarily for generating traffic. If this is not the case, Google strongly opposes websites that publish guest posts.
Such websites may struggle to appear at the top of Google’s search results following the new update, ending their dominance.
Attempting to drive traffic from search engines is not a good reason to write about a topic. Go ahead and publish your content if you feel the existing content lacks valuable information you can provide.
Final Takeaway
Content that provides a satisfying user experience will be rewarded in the SERPs during the Helpful Content Update. In contrast, content that is solely written to rank in search engines will be reduced. Users prefer people-first content to search engine-first content, and Google is testing people-first content so its users can find more useful content.
Cheenti will update this post throughout the rollout to reflect how it affects the system. Our team can help you recover if this Google update damages your website. Get in touch with our expert.
