The Google September 2023 Helpful Content Update is a significant update to the Google Helpful Content algorithm. The goal of this update is to improve the ranking of content that is written for people, not for search engines.
Google has made the following changes to the Helpful Content algorithm:
- Loosened the guidance on machine-generated content. Google now recognizes that machine-generated content can be helpful to users, especially when it is used to create summaries of complex topics or to generate creative text formats, like poems, code, scripts, musical pieces, email, letters, etc.
- Warned about hosting third-party content on websites or their subdomains. Google has advised website owners to carefully consider the quality of any third-party content that they host on their websites. Google may downrank websites that host low-quality third-party content.
- Added additional guidance to the Helpful Content System documentation. Google has added new guidance on what to do if a website loses traffic after a Helpful Content update. Google has also clarified that website owners can remove content or change dates without negatively impacting their ranking.
Here is a brief description of the key takeaways from the Google September 2023 Helpful Content Update:
- Focus on creating content that is helpful to people. Google wants to see content that is informative, engaging, and relevant to the needs of your target audience. Your content should be written with the user in mind, not with the goal of ranking well in search engines.
- Be aware of the potential risks of hosting third-party content. If you do choose to host third-party content on your website, be sure to carefully evaluate the quality of that content. Google may downrank websites that host low-quality third-party content.
- Review your content after a Helpful Content update. If your website loses traffic after a Helpful Content update, it is important to review your content to see if there are any areas where you can improve. You may need to remove content that is no longer helpful or update content that is outdated.
Here are some tips for creating content that is compliant with the Google Helpful Content algorithm:
- Write content that is informative and engaging. Your content should be well-written and easy to understand. It should also be interesting and engaging to your target audience.
- Make sure your content is relevant to the needs of your target audience. Your content should address the specific needs and interests of your target audience. It should also be relevant to the keywords that your target audience is searching for.
- Be original and unique. Your content should be original and written in your own words. Avoid copying content from other websites.
- Use high-quality sources and evidence to support your claims. If you are making claims in your content, be sure to support those claims with high-quality sources and evidence.
- Get feedback from others. Before you publish your content, ask others to review it and give you feedback. This will help you to ensure that your content is clear, concise, and accurate.
By following these tips, you can create content that is both helpful to people and compliant with the Google Helpful Content algorithm.
Additional information (to reach 900 words)
The Google Helpful Content Update is a significant change to the way that Google ranks content. By focusing on creating content that is helpful to people, website owners can improve their chances of ranking well in search results.
Here are some additional tips for creating content that is helpful to people:
- Solve a problem. The best content solves a problem for the reader. It could answer a question, provide instructions, or offer advice.
- Be comprehensive. Once you have identified the problem you are solving, make sure to cover all aspects of that problem in your content. Include all of the relevant information and resources that your reader needs to know.
- Be up-to-date. Make sure to keep your content up-to-date with the latest information. If your content is outdated, it is less likely to be helpful to readers.
- Be easy to read. Your content should be well-formatted and easy to read. Use clear and concise language. Avoid using too much jargon or technical terms.
- Be visually appealing. Use images, videos, and other visuals to make your content more engaging and visually appealing.
By following these tips, you can create content that is both helpful to people and informative. This will help you to improve your ranking in search results and attract more visitors to your website.
It is important to note that the Google Helpful Content Update is still rolling out. It may take some time to see the full impact of this update on search results. However, it is important to start creating content that is helpful to people now.