Google is constantly refining its search results. When users give Google the thumbs up on certain tweaks and alterations, it means that other changes need to be made. That’s why Google introduced the Helpful Content update, which will focus more on user-friendliness and usefulness when searching for information online. The search engine giant has announced a new update for content on its Google Search blog, which will impact users searching for trustworthy sources of information online. This upcoming change is designed to highlight useful websites and eliminate spammy, untrustworthy content from top search results. This article explains everything you need to know about the forthcoming Helpful Content update with Google, including what it is, when it takes effect, and how you can prepare your site ahead of time if you want to avoid losing visibility.
What Google Means by “Helpful Content”
Google wants to see search engine results that provide users with useful information. The company will evaluate the quality of content on websites and rank them accordingly in search results. It’s not just about the number of words on a page—Google will look at the overall usefulness of the content. That’s why a 200-word article about how to choose a new pair of shoes might rank just as high as a 5,000-word detailed guide to buying the right footwear. Google’s algorithm is constantly adapting to reflect what users want, and that includes what they want from the websites they visit. The company wants to make sure that when you search for something, you end up with the information you’re looking for.
When Will the Helpful Content Update Go Live?
The date of the rollout is not known at this time. Google has said that it will occur in “the coming months.” The actual date will depend on how long it takes for Google to finish its testing. The search engine’s algorithm is always evolving and changing, so it’s important that they roll out any changes slowly to ensure that they have a positive impact on the user experience. In the past, Google has tended to roll out major updates to the algorithm during the first week of May. That said, the Helpful Content update may not go live until June or July 2019.
Google Bottom Line: Don’t Waste Users’ Time
It’s no secret that there is a ton of spam on the Internet. Google is constantly battling this problem, and the company will be taking a new approach to tackling untrustworthy content in the next few months. The biggest change is that Google will focus less on the number of words on a page and more on the overall experience that users get from visiting the page. Remember that Google’s focus is on delivering the most helpful, relevant information to its users. They want to make sure that users are getting the information they need as quickly as possible. That’s why the Helpful Content update will be rolling out. Google’s new algorithm will target low-quality sites that waste people’s time. If a page has too many ads, loads slowly, or has information that’s not useful to the user, then it’s likely to lose ranking power.
Ranking Factors That Will Help Determining “Helpful Content”
Here are a few things Google might now be looking at when determining whether a site’s content is helpful or not: – Length of article: It’s possible that Google will be paying more attention to the length of the article. In some cases, shorter content (e.g., listicles) might be just as helpful as a longer article. In other cases, a very short piece of content might not be helpful. Google might look at the length of the article and other factors as a way to determine how helpful a piece of content is for the user. – Links to external sources: Google wants webpages to be stand-alone tools. If a website links to tons of external sources and doesn’t provide an adequate amount of information on its own, then it’s likely that it Google is going to be downgrading that page. – Images: Google likely won’t be paying much attention to the number of images on a page, but it will be paying attention to their quality. Images are one of the best ways to quickly convey information.
How to Prepare for the Helpful Content Update?
The best way to prepare for the Helpful Content update is to create great content that meets user expectations. That means that you want to make sure your content addresses the user’s questions and needs. You can also start looking at your backlinks. Make sure that the sites linking to your website are reputable, and that they’re including your URL in appropriate contexts. If your site has low-quality backlinks, you can ask the site owner to remove the link. If the owner refuses, you can request a removal through Google’s Disavow tool. Finally, you can use the time before the Helpful Content update goes live to try out new content creation strategies. If you notice that your articles are getting short shrift, try changing up your approach.
Conclusion
Google’s aim is to create a better user experience with its search engine. For years, Google has focused on the length of articles, the number of links to external sources, and other factors as a way to determine if a website’s content is helpful to users. The company has now changed its focus to overall user experience, which means that the length of the article and other factors won’t matter as much. If a website provides a helpful experience for the user, then it’s likely that Google will rank that site higher in its search results. Now is the time for website owners to start focusing on creating helpful content for their readers. The Helpful Content update is coming, and it will put a higher focus on websites that meet user expectations.
