Google has recently announced a significant algorithm update named the “Helpful Content Update”, – and it does just that.
For years, clever search engine marketers have used blackhat techniques to rank unhelpful webpages on Google purely by being clever with keywords. However, with Google’s latest update, the search engine will give a better focus on those who create valuable content that keeps consumers entertained, satisfies their pain points, and continues to give them what they need.
I hate to say it, but if you’re writing content just for the sake of ranking well on Google and driving traffic to your website, this is bad news for you!
Some things worth mentioning:
- This update is site-wide, so there are no shortcuts here. You need to ensure that every page adheres to this update.
- This only applies to the English language but will expand in time. So, for you multi-lingual businesses, now is the time to shed your bad content.
- Google is constantly evaluating your domain; however, that doesn’t mean that if you fix a bad website today, it will be a good one tomorrow.
Should Google penalise your website, you could be placed on a digital “naughty step” for several months before re-evaluation… eek!
So, how can you ensure your website benefits from this update?
- Ensure your website’s content provides value to consumers, not just the search engine. Google isn’t your customer, after all.
- Do an audit of your website. Is there any content that can be re-purposed?
- Consolidate or delete old and pointless content. Google will only see this as dead weight and penalise your SEO ranking!
Now, you may be thinking, “Oh great, another update to drive down my SEO ranking”, however, the Helpful Content Update is here to provide high-quality content to the end user and, most importantly, penalise those who aren’t. That sounds fair, right?
Heck, I’d say it’s a great deal!
Don’t worry if you’re at the wrong end of this update, many businesses will be facing the same problem. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be a headache if you don’t want it to be.
If you need help combatting this update, we provide a service to do just that. So, you can focus on what really matters – growing your business.
Whether you need changes or not, drop us a line, and we’ll talk it through.
Get in touch with our team.
