Google is concerned with providing their consumers with quality information and webpages. In fact, their algorithms are designed to favor sites with content that is unique, relevant, and well-developed.
In light of their recent core updates, Google released a message to webmasters advising them what to be aware of in terms of their site’s Google ranking in relation to their content.
What exactly is Google looking for?
Let’s take a closer look at three of Google’s newest quality-related questions to help you produce content that Google loves.
Does the content provide original information, reporting, research, or analysis?
There are millions of sites on the internet related to the same topic. If yours does nothing but regurgitate unoriginal information that can be accessed with ease elsewhere, Google isn’t going to be interested in optimizing your page.
Your site gains value when you can provide a consumer with information that they can’t get elsewhere. At the very least, you should strive to come up with a new way of looking at a topic.
Of course, not every bit of essential content can be an original thought. However, providing a unique angle or a comprehensive breakdown of a pre-existing topic can help you produce original content about subjects that have been widely covered on other sites.
That leads us to our next essential question!
Does the content provide a substantial, complete, or comprehensive description of the topic?
Web content that fares well in terms of SEO must have another vital element as a part of its foundation: it cannot be vague. Content typically cannot be good, unique, or impactful without being rigorous.
This isn’t to say your content needs to be complex to the point of confusing your consumers. However, your page should be exhaustive enough that any reader shouldn’t need to question its purpose. After all, who would choose weak, general content over well-informed, thoughtful information?
So, how can you make your content substantial?
Be thorough. Google doesn’t favor broad strokes of basic information. Content cluttered with generalizations, weak background info, and unconnected concepts will not fare well under Google’s new algorithm.
Substantial content should be both unique and detailed. A consumer should feel as if though the page that they are viewing is complete, extensive, and includes non-obvious content. Google loves content that is not only individual but also scrupulous.
Is this the sort of page you’d want to bookmark, share with a friend, or recommend?
Is your content shareable? Would you trust someone else to benefit from the information found on your page? Is your site one that consumers feel like they can rely on?
To answer these questions, you’ll want to examine your content in relation to one of Google’s favorite concepts: E-A-T. This stands for Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.
Why is it necessary to produce content that meets these three criteria?
Enhancing your ability to sound like an expert, developing an authoritative reputation, and earning the trust of your consumer will give you good standing in the eyes of Google.
Sites that are trustworthy, reliable and interesting ascend the SEO ladder with more ease than unstable or unreliable ones, leading to more organic traffic over time.
False facts, faux information, and incorrect reporting are all certain to tank your site’s reputation. Google’s favorite content is well-informed and dependable.
If you don’t trust a webpage enough to share it, why should Google?
What Google doesn’t want:
- Unrelated keywords or keyword “stuffing” (repeating a keyword too many times to try to manipulate your SEO ranking)
- Vagueness, generalizations, common-sense information, or thin/surface-layer content
- Untrustworthy or unstable content
- Unoriginal or regurgitated content
Producing the content that Google loves doesn’t have to be a hit-or-miss process. Ensuring that your page is unique, thorough, and trustworthy should help you earn a good reputation with Google.
Do you have any thoughts about what makes quality content succeed? Any tips for creating the type of content Google wants? Let us know in the comments below!
