How Google’s Helpful Content Update Changed the SEO Landscape For the Better

BFL_Photo

Although Google’s algorithm updates are dreaded by most marketers, they are actually designed to make the world of online search a better place. Google’s most recent update, The Helpful Content Update, is arguably their most useful algorithm update to date, benefiting both searchers and businesses alike. 

If you are unfamiliar with this new Google update, then you need to keep reading. 

Discover everything there is to know about Google’s Helpful Content Update below and how it has changed the SEO landscape for the better. 

What is Google’s Helpful Content Update? 

Google’s Helpful Content Update is a new algorithm update that was created to reward websites that produce high-quality content and penalize those that don’t. In the words of Google, the update is:

“Our helpful content update launching next week will better surface original, helpful content made by people, for people, rather than content made primarily to gain search traffic. It’s part of a broad effort to show more unique, authentic info results.”

How has the Google Helpful Content Update affected SEO? 

In terms of SEO, the Google Helpful Content Update has had a huge impact, as it demonstrates that Google now wants businesses to write for searchers rather than search engines. This means that if you have been focusing your efforts solely on impressing Google to drive traffic to a website then you need to adjust your strategies asap. 

When the update was rolled out, many businesses saw a sudden dip in rankings, even those who pride themselves on creating great content, and this sent shockwaves through the world of SEO. 

However, the Google Helpful Content Update can only be good for the SEO landscape as it helps to effectively weed out poor-quality content and reward websites that publish useful content. This means that as long as you take the time to tailor your content to your target audience, you should see your site soar above your competitors. 

Our top tips for increasing your SERPs rankings using the Helpful Content Update

There are so many ways that you can appease the new Google algorithm and gain higher rankings on SERPs, including:

  • Write for your intended audience. Before you start creating content, make sure that you think carefully about who you are writing for and know what their needs are. Any content you create should be specifically designed to help your target audience in some way or another. 
  • Leave your readers satisfied. When creating content, consider how satisfied it will leave your target audience. Will they find out everything they need to know, or will they need to go elsewhere for additional information? 
  • Offer firsthand expertise. One of the most effective ways to create helpful content is to use firsthand experience. In other words, do not just regurgitate content from another source but, instead, offer something unique and original. 
  • Refresh old content. As well as ensuring any new content you create is as helpful as it can be, it can also be a good idea to refresh any old content. 1on

If you still need help, our experts are on hand to make useful content that is also optimized.