On August 25th 2022, Google has officially rolled out a sitewide algorithm update called Google Helpful Content Update. The intent of this update is to provide original and relevant content on the search engines that are “written by the people and for the people”.
Sounds like Panda Update?
In 2011, Google has rolled out the Panda algorithm update that was specifically intended to target the “Content Farms”. Websites that used a Spinning Tool to create content were greatly affected.
So, to avoid advanced and modern content spam, Google has introduced an advanced version of the Panda Update. This update will affect all websites with AI-written content and keyword-heavy articles intended to manipulate rankings on Google.
Though it sounds like the Panda Update, it’s actually not! In fact, as mentioned above, it’s an extended version of Panda that will force marketers and digital marketing agencies to rethink some of their SEO content strategies.
Quick Overview of Google Helpful Content Update
Sites that will be impacted by this update:
- Sites that use extensive AI-based automation tools or article spinning tools to produce content on a wide range of topics.
- Due to the content that has historically been created, it stands to impact online educational materials, arts & entertainment, shopping, and tech-related sites the most.
- Sites that cover every random topic that has no relevance to the niche.
- Websites with less emphasis on quality and more focus on quantity of the content just for search engine rankings and traffic.
- Websites that copy and paste blog posts.
- Sites that use click baits.
- Sites that do not deliver user satisfaction
- Sites that do not answer questions or provide solutions to the users
- Sites that do not deliver people-first content and are focused on search engine rankings only.
- Sites that summarize what others have written without adding much value.
- Sites whose content leaves readers feeling like they need to search again to get better information from other sources.
Preventive Measures to Improve Ranking:
- Remove the auto-generated content from your website
- Avoid adding content related to multiple industries.
- If your site gets affected by this update, then keep on posting quality content on your site on a regular basis.
- Don’t stray too far from your main topic (stick to your area of expertise)
- Avoid creating content for search engine ranking.
- Demonstrate first-hand experience.
- Don’t combine multiple topics into one site.
- Do provide sufficient, relevant, and original answers to searchers’ questions.
- Don’t neglect the overall reader experience.
- Don’t answer a question that has no confirmed answer.
- Take out all the thin content pages from your website.
- Do not stuff keywords on dedicated landing pages.
- Share a thorough or in-depth knowledge about a particular subject.
- Have a purpose for your website.
- Focus on one niche only.
- The content written should include the author’s information and the author’s bio should be related to the industry you are serving.
- The content should focus on the target audience.
- Optimize your website home page to offer a clear value proposition.
- Content must be written by the human and for the human.
Validation Period of this Update is Several Months!
Unlike other updates, the validation period of your website is not that quick! If Google’s Helpful Content Update hits your website and you fix your content today, it doesn’t mean that your site will recover tomorrow.
Google stated that they’ve kept a validation period. This waiting period builds Google’s trust in your website as you continuously prove your commitment to updating your content, not just fixing the issue.
The validation period is several months, not just a few days or weeks. You need to prove to Google that your content is actually helpful in the long run before Google ranks your page better and put your content back to the way it was.
Final Words:
The primary aim of Google’s Helpful Content Update is to devalue AI-generated content. It’s a site-wide update so even if only two pages of your website has AI content, it will impact the ranking of your whole site.
