With the constantly changing landscape of SEO, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest trends and algorithm updates. However, understanding how Google’s algorithms work is essential for any business that wants to stay visible online.
Recently Google has announced an algorithm update called the Helpful Content update that has the potential to be one of the most significant changes in over a decade. This update emphasises the importance of delivering helpful content to users, and it’s essential for any business that wants to rank high in search results.
Here at FocusedGrowth®, we’re an innovative Digital Marketing Agency that always keeps a close eye on the latest changes. We’ve written this blog to help our clients understand exactly what’s involved with the “Helpful Content update” and what it means for their SEO strategy.
Helpful Content Update
Google has recently begun to roll out a new and large algorithm update called the Helpful Content update. The primary purpose of this update is to help searchers find high-quality content.
The update works by targeting websites that contain a relatively high amount of unsatisfying or unhelpful content, that is content that has been written for search engines’ specifications rather than humans. Any such content will be devalued and instead, content written for people will be given a boost.
Unlike other previous updates which have targeted specific kinds of pages, the Helpful Content update is sitewide, meaning it has the potential to impact all pages.
Why is the Change Being Made?
The previous focus of search results has been on search engine-first content or SEO content, that is content, which has been specifically written for the purpose of ranking in search engines.
Over time, searchers have grown to become disappointed when they land on these pages, as even though they rank well on their search, they may not necessarily align with their interests or assist them with what they’re trying to achieve.
Google’s new update aims to streamline the process by downgrading those types of search engine-first websites, while promoting more helpful websites, designed for humans, above search engines. This will assist in Google’s ongoing effort to reduce low-quality content and make it easier to find content that feels authentic and useful in search.
When will Google’s Helpful Content Update Launch?
Google launched this update on August 25, 2022, and progressively rolled it out over the following two weeks.
The update is now live and it’s worth noting that going forward this update will run continuously, allowing it to monitor newly-launched sites as well as existing ones.
What Type of Content will be Impacted?
While the update will be site-wide and will not target a specific niche, there are certain types of content that have historically been written more tailored for search rather than humans, and will therefore likely be impacted the most. This includes:
- Shopping
- Tech-related
- Arts and entertainment
- Online educational materials
If your business is in any of these industries or has a connection to any related material, your business will more than likely be impacted.
Why You Need to Act
Even if your site has been producing new content, you can’t afford to wait and rest on your laurels.
Google’s new update is site-wide, and not on a page-by-page basis. So if Google determines that your site is producing a lot of unhelpful content, that is content that’s written primarily for ranking in search engines, your whole site will be impacted.
This is a situation you want to avoid, as you will drop off search results, severely impacting your online visibility.
If your business is not appearing in online search results, you are missing out on a key opportunity to reach potential customers. When people are looking for a product or service, they will often start with a web search. If your business doesn’t appear in the search results, they may never know that you exist. In addition, your competitors who are appearing in the search results will have a significant advantage over you. They will be more likely to get the customer’s business, and they may also get more repeat business from customers who are familiar with their brand.
If your site has been identified as producing unhelpful content, it can actually take up to several months to recover, so it’s imperative that you take action to pre-empt any impact.
If the content on your site has been primarily written to attract people from search engines, rather than made for humans, your site will be more than likely affected by the new update. It can actually take up to several months to recover, so it’s imperative that you take action to pre-empt any impact.
FocusedGrowth® Can Help
Here at FocusedGrowth® we’re a cutting-edge Digital Marketing Agency that makes it a priority to always stay ahead of the curve. With many years of experience in the industry, we have a proven track record of anticipating and adjusting to changes in the market, to make sure our clients can successfully leverage any opportunities that may arise.
We understand the importance of creating content that is not only optimised for search engines, but also engaging and informative for your human audience. We believe that content should be informative first and foremost, as this is what will keep people coming back for more.
Our team are experts at creating content that strikes the perfect balance between being informative and search engine friendly. So if you’re looking for content that will help your website to rank highly and engage your target audience, then FocusedGrowth® is the perfect solution for you.
As part of our comprehensive service, our experienced team will perform a full audit of your site to assess any susceptibility and exposure to Google’s new Helpful Content update. We’ll then design a strategy that ensures the creation of content that focuses on your customers and their needs. We’ll help you create content that is both people-friendly and search engine friendly so that you can attract more visitors to your site and convert them into loyal customers.
In order to provide users with the most relevant and up-to-date content, Google is always changing its algorithm. Its most recent update, the Helpful Content update, aims to prioritise content written for people, over content that has been written for search engine specifications.
As a small business owner, to ensure you maintain a prominent online presence, you have to make sure your content is in line with all the latest algorithm changes. Anything less will run the risk of your business being left behind, taking months to recover, while your competitors have prospered.
Here at FocusedGrowth®, we understand the unique challenges facing small businesses and we’re here to help you maximise your online presence. We specialise in creating people-first content that satisfies your customers and helps you rank higher in search results. We’ll design a tailored strategy for your business that will make it stand out from the rest and provide an attractive seamless experience for any potential customers.
For any of your Digital Marketing needs, why not contact us today?