What You Need To Know About Google’s Helpful Content Update & How This Impacts SEO

Yesterday, Google announced the release of its helpful content update. We analyse what this update means from an SEO point of view and what you can do to make sure your site is rewarded.

Here’s the link to Google’s documentation on creating helpful, reliable, people-first content.

What is Google’s Helpful Content Update?

Google’s helpful content updates align with what Google have always said which is that website owners should create content that is insightful, interesting and of a high-quality that covers the genuine interests of its users. So Google’s helpful content update yesterday should come as no surprise as the update aims to reward websites that publish “helpful content written by people, for people, in search results”.

What can I do to check if my website has good content?

We recommend carrying out an audit of your website content, look at your website as if you were viewing it from the eyes of your dream client. Is the information you are providing on your website information that is useful? Does it give your user value and does it give your user confidence that you are an expert in your field and someone that they would like to work with?

If the answer to any of those questions is no, here are our specific steps on what you can do to improve your content:

1. Identify and create a list of what pages don’t add value to your audience.

2. Define the topics you are covering on these pages.

3. Write down what industry your content is aimed at or if your content isn’t aimed at a specific industry, is there a person with a specific job role that the content is aimed at? The key here is to be as specific as possible of who your audience is. If you are struggling, think of one company or person you are currently trying to work with. Ask yourself whether reading this page would give them value and make them want to work with you.

4. Now that you have established who your page is aimed at as specifically as you can, you now need to add value to that page. Against each topic, write down any first-hand experience or knowledge you have on that topic.

5. Do you have testimonials from clients that can validate your knowledge and expertise in your field? If not, write down who you can ask for testimonials and ask them. You have heard the phrase “if you don’t ask, you don’t get” right?

6. Our final piece of advice is to make sure that you proofread your content, make sure it is well written and provides depth on the topic you are writing about. Remember it could be that your dream client is reading your website page and you want to make it count.

Google has provided thorough documentation on the questions that you should consider when analysing your website. We highly recommend taking a read and if you do outsource your content make sure guidance from Google is provided as part of your brief.

When will the Helpful Content Update Signal be released?

Google has confirmed that the update will be released next week and can take up to 2 weeks to roll out. You can check the Google rankings update page which will announce when the update has been released.

How will the Helpful Content Update impact my website?

If your website has a lot of content that is deemed to be of a low quality this could perform less well in the search engines so Google’s advice suggests that removing this content could help rankings of your other content to perform better. If your content is providing value then keep up the great work and you may well see that your website is rewarded over the next few weeks and months.

Have questions about the Google Signal Update?

If this article has left you with questions or queries, contact us and we will help. Accentuate is SEO agency and Google Ads agency that makes sure you’re visible online so that you get found by people looking for what you do.