What Is Google’s Helpful Content Update?
Google announced the release of its helpful content update on August 18, 2022. With the use of a new signal, Google’s search algorithm automatically weeds out irrelevant and unhelpful content and promotes “people-first” content.
People-first simply means content that’s original and helpful for your visitors. This is in contrast to content that prioritizes gaming the system, so it could rank on Google.
According to Google, the update could take up to two weeks to roll out from August 25, 2022. This means that around this time and for the next few months, you might find your content being bumped up or out of Google. Here’s how to calibrate your content.
1. Prioritize Your Readers
The first consideration should be your target audience. Write content that answers their questions or guides them to complete their tasks. If you’re writing a how-to, for instance, make it as informative as possible without being long-winded.
As Google says, you don’t have to reach a particular word count. Instead, be mindful of your reader’s time and make every word count.
2. Write From Experience
Avoid putting out content on topics that are trending, but you know nothing about. If the topic fits your niche but is unfamiliar to you, research about it or gain some first-hand knowledge. Writing about an app? Download and try it out! Don’t be tempted to copy and paste from multiple sources just so you could be part of the current buzz.
3. Use AI Content Intelligently
Artificial intelligence is a tool to improve your work and increase your productivity. Unfortunately, AI tools such as article spinners have been used to populate search engines with trash content in the hopes of ranking well on search.
Use AI to lighten your workload, but don’t depend solely on it. For example, you can use online tools to check your grammar and polish your writing. Or, you can use AI-powered text visualization to convert your thoughts into actual pictures. But the main ideas and final say should still come from you.
4. Don’t Make False Claims
It’s frustrating to get a false or misleading answer when you do a Google search. Some creators do this to get highlighted in Google’s featured snippets, which should have helped users easily find answers to their questions.
Google warns against content that makes false, inaccurate claims. Do the hard work of asking the right questions, looking for answers, writing accurately, and correcting yourself when necessary.
5. Add Value to Your Content
When you’re reporting news, you have to stick to the facts. However, you can add value to your content by asking relevant questions such as how and why. These types of content provide an in-depth look or a new perspective on an issue.
You can use polls or surveys to uncover your users’ needs. Instead of parroting what has been said, help your users by providing interesting commentary, telling informative stories, giving a fact-based analysis, or solving problems.
6. Focus on Your Niche
Don’t rely on a hit-or-miss strategy when it comes to content. Write with clear goals that communicate your brand. Unfortunately, some creators take whatever’s popular, come up with mediocre content, and keep their fingers crossed that it resonates.
By focusing on your niche, you get to dig deeper into the most relevant content. You can stop gasping for ideas and create content that you actually know about.
Google’s Helpful Content Update Could Be a Win for You
By removing unhelpful content, Google actually helps your site improve and ensures that the most relevant pages rank. If you see that your content has been hit by the current update, take it as a challenge to improve. In the end, it will still be a win for you and your visitors.
