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Introduction
Google has released the September 2023 Helpful Content Update, which brings significant changes to its content rating system.
This article will cover the specific aspects of the update, including:
Hosted third-party content
Improved classifier
Reviewed by experts
Adding or removing content for search engines
Changing dates of content.
Improved Classifier
The Google Helpful Content Update 2023 introduces an improved classifier for the helpful content system. Although the exact improvements are not explicitly mentioned in the search results, the update aims to better identify and rank high-quality content that is genuinely helpful and informative for users. The improved classifier will have a significant impact on various aspects, including:
Identifying and Ranking Helpful and Informative Content
The improved classifier is designed to better identify content that is genuinely helpful and informative for users. This means that websites with high-quality, relevant, and valuable content will be more likely to rank higher in search results, while low-quality or unhelpful content will be pushed down.
Enhancing User Experience
By focusing on identifying and ranking helpful and informative content, the improved classifier aims to enhance the overall user experience on Google Search. Users will be more likely to find the information they are looking for, as the search results will be populated with higher-quality content that genuinely benefits them.
Improving Search Results Accuracy
The improved classifier will also contribute to improving the accuracy of search results. By better identifying and ranking high-quality content, Google Search will be able to provide users with more accurate and relevant results, making it easier for them to find the information they need.
Ranking High-Quality Content
The improved classifier will play a crucial role in ranking high-quality content on Google Search. Websites that focus on creating helpful, reliable, and people-first content will be more likely to rank higher in search results, while low-quality or unhelpful content will be pushed down.
In summary, the improved classifier introduced in the Google Helpful Content Update 2023 aims to enhance user experience, improve search results accuracy, and rank high-quality content.
By focusing on these aspects, website owners and brands can ensure their content is genuinely helpful and informative for users, ultimately improving their search rankings and providing a satisfying experience for their audience.
Hosted Third-Party Content
The Google Helpful Content Update 2023 includes new guidance on hosting third-party content on your main site or subdomains. This section will discuss the impact of hosted third-party content on site-wide signals and best practices for managing such content.
Impact on Site-Wide Signals
Google's update states that if you host third-party content on your main site or in your subdomains, such content may be included in site-wide signals, such as the helpfulness of content.
This means that the quality and relevance of third-party content can affect your website's overall ranking in Google search results. If the third-party content is largely independent of the main site's purpose or produced without close supervision or involvement of the primary site, it may negatively impact your website's helpfulness and search rankings.
Best Practices for Managing Hosted Third-Party Content
To ensure that hosted third-party content does not negatively affect your website's search rankings, consider the following best practices:
Close supervision and involvement: Ensure that the third-party content hosted on your site aligns with your website's purpose and is produced with your close supervision and involvement.
Quality and relevance: Make sure the third-party content is of high quality, relevant, and genuinely helpful to your target audience.
Blocking from indexing: If the third-party content is not closely related to your main site's purpose or produced without your supervision, consider blocking it from being indexed by Google. This can prevent the content from affecting your site-wide signals and search rankings.
Reviewed by Experts
In the Google Helpful Content Update 2023, it is essential to ensure that your content is reviewed by experts to maintain high-quality and reliable information. Although not explicitly mentioned in the search results, having your content reviewed by experts can have a significant impact on your website's performance and search rankings.
Importance of Expert Review
Having your content reviewed by experts can help improve the overall helpfulness of your content, which is a crucial factor in the Google Helpful Content Update. Expert-reviewed content is more likely to be:
Accurate
Reliable
Trustworthy
which can positively impact your search rankings.
Building Trust and Credibility
Content that is reviewed by experts can help build trust and credibility with your target audience. Users are more likely to engage with and share content that is backed by expert opinions, which can lead to increased traffic, social shares, and higher search rankings.
Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-A-T)
Google's search quality guidelines emphasize the importance of Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-A-T) in evaluating content. By having your content reviewed by experts, you can demonstrate your website's expertise and authority in your niche, which can contribute to higher search rankings.
How to Get Your Content Reviewed by Experts:
To ensure that your content is reviewed by experts, consider the following steps:
Identify experts in your niche: Look for professionals, academics, or industry leaders who have a deep understanding of your subject matter and can provide valuable insights and feedback on your content.
Reach out to experts: Contact potential experts and ask if they would be willing to review your content. Be sure to explain the purpose of the review and how their expertise can contribute to the quality of your content.
Incorporate expert feedback: Once you receive feedback from experts, incorporate their suggestions and insights into your content to improve its quality and helpfulness.
Acknowledge expert contributions: Give credit to the experts who reviewed your content by mentioning their names and affiliations in your content. This can help build credibility and trust with your audience.
Adding or Removing Content for Search Engines
The update also provides new guidance on removing content or changing dates. It is crucial to assess your content and determine whether it needs to be updated, removed, or left unchanged.
Google recommends focusing on creating helpful, reliable, and people-first content.
Changing Dates of Content
Google now looks at the date of your content and may consider updating the publishing date if it is outdated. It is essential to keep your content up-to-date and relevant to maintain a high level of helpfulness and improve your search rankings.
Conclusion
The Google Helpful Content Update 2023 brings significant changes to the content rating system.
Website owners and brands should focus on creating high-quality, helpful, and informative content that genuinely benefits users.
By following the new guidance on hosted third-party content, improving the classifier, and updating content dates, you can ensure your website ranks well in Google search results and provides a satisfying experience for your users.
