They’re the words that every SEO specialist dreads. Google. Algorithm. Update. But do you really need to closely monitor your rankings and indexed pages for fear they will somehow fall foul of the new rules?
Well in truth, not really. In fact, if you are following SEO best practice then you should notice very little difference. At the end of the day, Google is simply there to ensure the best user experience, precisely what we should all be doing as marketers anyway.
Google’s latest algorithm is doing just that, with the introduction of its ‘helpful content update’.
What is the helpful content update?
In August, Google posted the following to its Twitter profile:
“Next week, we will launch the “helpful content update” to better ensure people see more original, helpful content written by people, for people, rather than content made primarily for search engine traffic.”
Essentially businesses and individuals that are writing content with the end-user in mind will be rewarded, whereas those writing solely for the purpose of ranking on search engines will see their content devalued by the search engine.
Should I be worried about my rankings?
We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again. You want your content to provide true value to readers, right? So, if this is already a key focus of your content strategy, then you should have nothing to worry about.
However, if you are focused on writing content that speaks only to search engines, with little thought to your readers, then a change of tact should be made sharpish to ensure your site doesn’t fall down those rankings.
Google has said of the update:
“These launches are part of a broader, ongoing effort to reduce low-quality content and make it easier to find content that feels authentic and useful in Search.”
Looking to give your rankings a boost? Speak to our team today to discuss the best approach for your audience.