Google is rolling out a new update to its helpful content system, following the December 2022 update. This update, known as the September 2023 helpful content update, started on September 14 and is expected to take about two weeks to fully roll out.
According to Google, this update includes an improved classifier. The search engine giant will update its ranking release history page once the rollout is complete.
Here are some new details provided by Google regarding the helpful content update:
- Added new guidance about hosting third-party content
- More explanation on what to do after a helpful content update
- New points about removing content or changing dates in order to create helpful, reliable people-first content
One notable change is that Google removed the words “written by people” and now states that helpful content is created for people in search results. This suggests that AI-generated content is acceptable as long as it’s helpful.
In May, Google announced that a helpful content system update would be introduced this year. The update aims to enable the system to better understand content created from a personal or expert perspective. Google also mentioned that it’s working on improving how search results are ranked, with a focus on content that demonstrates unique expertise and experience.
It’s important to note that the current update is separate from the previously mentioned one, and Google will share further information on their ongoing work in this area in the future.
If you’ve been affected by this update, Google has provided a list of questions that you can ask yourself to assess your content. Make sure to review these questions objectively and determine if your content aligns with the update.
Recovering from this update can take several months, but making the necessary changes to your content over time can help speed up the process.
The helpful content update specifically targets content that appears to be created solely for the purpose of ranking well in search engines. Google’s goal is to reward high-quality and useful content that is written with the intention of helping users.
Users often get frustrated when they come across unhelpful webpages that have high search rankings because they were written primarily for search engine optimization. Google’s algorithm aims to downgrade these types of websites and prioritize those that are designed to be helpful to users.
This ongoing effort by Google aims to reduce low-quality content and make it easier for users to find authentic and useful content in search results.
If you notice any significant changes in your rankings or visibility in Google search over the next two weeks, it’s likely due to this update. Review Google’s advice, make the necessary adjustments to your content, and hope for a recovery in the coming months.
At Bridgewell Marketing, our team of SEO experts can help optimize your website to ensure it meets the requirements of Google’s helpful content update. Contact us today to learn how we can improve your website’s visibility and rankings in search results. Click here to visit our website.
