Content creators have been talking nonstop about how Google’s recently announced roll-out of its Google Helpful Content Update may affect their websites. Here are some helpful guidelines for ensuring that your content remains relevant.
What Is Google’s Update to Helpful Content?
Google announced the release of its helpful content update on August 18, 2022. Google’s search algorithm automatically eliminates unnecessary and unhelpful content and promotes “people-first” content by utilising a new signal.
People-first simply refers to content that is authentic and valuable for your visitors. This is in contrast to content that prioritises system manipulation in order to rank higher on Google.
According to Google, the rollout of the replacement might last up to two weeks beginning on August 25, 2022. This means that during this period and for the following few months, your content may be pushed up or removed from Google. Here is how you can optimize your content.
How Should You Now Strategize Your Content?
Let’s move on to the tactical phase now. I have some suggestions to assist you enhance the quality of the material, with the consumer in mind at all times.
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Start from “the basics”
Any Business model requires a comprehensive analysis of its target market. That is a constant characteristic. Researching your personality is a typical step in our workflow.
If we examine our buyer persona again, the Google Helpful Content Update is quite helpful.
So, if you haven’t already, look at your empathy map and try to figure out if your content really meets your persona’s needs right now.
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Avoid over-reliance on AI.
A brand-new technique for publishing a large number of articles in a short amount of time is content generation using AI. However, you should reconsider whether an AI can write the material for you. If they are actually helpful for optimising your content, human editing is the determining factor.
Try to rely on additional factors, such as actual statistics, your competitors, and social listening, while creating content. You can also use tools such as Answer the Public or the search engine results page (SERP) features that display the most prevalent questions and requests for any topic.
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Do not combine multiple topics on a single website.
“Does your website have a primary objective or focal point?” Google implies that websites should have a niche with this statement.
A website cannot be everything to everyone. This is not only useless for site visitors, but also for search engines attempting to comprehend the site.
Create a website around a single topic. If you wish to publish content on a variety of topics, you may always create many websites. Google also recommends asking yourself the relevant questions and then figure out the answers and let your readers clear their doubts around that topic. You normally produce a large quantity of content on many niches in the hopes that some of it would do well in search engine rankings but in reality it won’t work.
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Target Your Niche
Do not rely on a hit-or-miss strategy when it comes to content. Compose with clear objectives that communicate your model. Unfortunately, some creators accept whatever standard exists, produce terrible work, and cross their fingers that it will resonate.
By concentrating on your area of interest, you can delve further into the most pertinent stuff. You may stop struggling for ideas and generate stuff that you’re genuinely interested in.
“Will someone who reads your content feel they’ve had a fulfilling experience?”
With this recommendation, Google advises readers to consider the overall reading experience.
It is feasible to accomplish all the required criteria and still deliver an unsatisfying experience. Consider, for instance, reading a review of a product written by a person with first-hand knowledge that does not include images or videos. Although searchers may like the text, a visual representation of the product would enhance the experience. Satisfy the wants and needs of searchers; do not leave them wanting more.
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Don’t Make False Claims
When conducting a Google search, it is annoying to obtain a fake or misleading result. Some content creators do this to be recognised in Google’s featured snippets, which should have made it easier for users to find answers to their questions.
Google advises against content containing incorrect or erroneous claims. Perform the hard tasks of asking the right questions, searching for answers, writing precisely, and making necessary corrections.
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Do not post generic content in bulk.
Put your energy into creating better content that will satisfy readers and provide them with insightful responses. Planning and time are required for this.
Ask yourself, “how can I provide value to this topic?” before diving into keyword research and the SERP rankings you hope to obtain. This will help you avoid the urge to produce a large quantity of generic, low-quality, and unplanned content.
Google says, “Ignore me; please users.”
Whenever we create a post, let’s not forget that another person will be reading it. The Helpful Content Update tries to remind us of our content’s primary purpose: to aid our audience.
And, if you wish to remain current with SEO best practices, contact Rocket SEO and we will create great content for you as per Google’s requirements. You can also find all relevant Digital Marketing services.
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Maintain Content Alignment with Your Unique Selling Proposition
The expansion of SEO over the past decade has been phenomenal. If you’ve been in the industry for that long, you can’t deny that senior marketers are increasingly adopting SEO. This has led to the growth of agencies, larger in-house teams, and an increase in the number of marketers pursuing careers in search.
During this time, businesses have realised that they have been missing out on significant market share opportunities within their respective industries. As a result, they’ve assembled teams, developed strategies, and created new content to fill the gaps. This has been a net positive for Google, as more competitive content provides them with more options to serve in search results, thereby enhancing the quality of their product.
However, a negative consequence has emerged from these investments. It’s no secret that ranking is typically easier for larger, more established websites. Sometime in the past, businesses have realised how valuable their websites are as assets. This has led to businesses not just filling holes within their respective industries, but also penetrating new markets to which they never belonged.
Do Offer Sufficient Responses to Searchers’ Queries
“Will someone believe they’ve learnt enough about a topic to reach their objective after reading your content?”
Google advises that information is useful when it teaches people something or assists them in completing a task. Creating content for search engines frequently entails writing extensively without contributing anything of substance. When generating content for people, you should address the topic or problem that brought them to your website in the first place.
Google also recommends asking yourself the following relevant questions:
- Do your viewers feel compelled to seek out greater knowledge from other sources after reading your content?
- Have you heard or read that Google has a desired number of words per page? (No, it doesn’t)
So, always create content that creates value for the reader.
Conclusion
Google is updating day by day and if you want to be on the top of SERPs, you have to follow what Google requires. Whether its new content or the old one, keep these points in mind and amend your content towards this update. If you need any assistance regarding Digital Marketing services then Rocket SEO is here to help.