The Google Helpful Content Update, which started rolling out on September 14, 2023, has now been completed as of September 28, 2023.
Over these 14 days, Google focused on identifying and downgrading websites with content primarily designed for search engine ranking, rather than genuinely assisting or informing users.
The aim is to promote websites with helpful and human-centered content, ensuring a better online experience for users.
Haven't we all heard this before?
The update has seen a significant shift in rankings, with many smaller niche sites facing a hit. Despite this, major platforms like Amazon, Quora, Reddit, and Medium have seen notable increases, emerging as big winners in this update.
Some people are now buying space on other websites to improve their own site's ranking. This is called parasite SEO.
Many good websites are losing visitors, and people are finding more fake and unhelpful information online.
Even with these issues, Google plans to keep the update. So there will be NO roll-back.
This is the new reality.
Google wants to make sure that the best and most helpful content is what people find when they search online.
But many website owners are upset because their websites are losing traffic.
Some websites have lost half of their visitors.
People are finding wrong and unhelpful answers to their questions online, which is making them frustrated.
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The underlying major ranking factor that has gained more importance than ever is matching the user's Search Intent, also known as Helpful Content.
This is followed by Topical SEO Authority, User Experience and Authority Backlinks, among over 200 other ranking factors.
The update has caused a stir in the SEO community, with many reporting significant changes in rankings. Google has provided a list of questions for self-assessment to help those hit by the update.
Recovery, if the necessary changes are made, can take several months.
The update is global, impacting all languages, and is a sitewide algorithm, meaning the whole site will be impacted by this update.
In conclusion, the Google Helpful Content Update is a significant move towards improving the quality of content available online.
It strongly emphasizes the importance of creating content that is genuinely helpful to users, ensuring a better online experience for users and promoting the creation of high-quality content.
Now SEOs worldwide have to pick up the pieces, and get back to the drawing board.
In case you haven't seen it, I've created an infographic that shows the 7 pillars of Helpful Content.
Some little eye-candy for you.
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