Google’s September 2023 Update: Elevating Helpful Content
On September 14, 2023, Google unveiled an update set to roll out over a span of two weeks. This new shift is laser-focused on promoting content that proves invaluable to users.
The September 2023 helpful content update is rolling out with an improved classifier. It will take about two weeks to complete. We’ll update our ranking release history page when the rollout is complete: https://t.co/hgjEkfpbA2
— Google Search Central (@googlesearchc) September 14, 2023
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What’s Changing?
The update aims to refine how “helpful content” is ranked on Google Search. But what constitutes as “helpful”? Google describes it as material that aligns perfectly with user queries, being useful, informative, and pertinent.
Google has integrated a novel classifier to segregate helpful content from the less desirable efficiently. The outcome? Quality content will gain prominence, ascending higher in the search results.
However, there’s a flip side. Content deemed unhelpful — those spammy, misleading, or irrelevant pieces — will witness a dip in their rankings.
Prepping for the Update: A Guide for Webmasters
For webmasters and content creators, adapting to this change can be streamlined with a few proactive steps:
- Deliver Value: Craft content that meets user needs — informative, relevant, and useful.
- Keep It Clean: Steer clear from deceptive practices and spammy content.
- Quality Over Quantity: Ensure your content is articulate, lucid, and accompanied by top-tier visuals.
- Amplify Your Reach: Harness the power of social media and various channels to circulate your content.
By adhering to these principles, you can align with Google’s vision of helpful content, securing a desirable rank.
Further Insights on the September 2023 Update:
- Scope of Impact: The update will influence only Google Search and Google Discover, leaving other products like Gmail and Google Maps untouched.
- Not a Penalty, But a Push: This isn’t Google penalizing websites, but rather an initiative to spotlight beneficial content.
- Traffic Dips? Don’t Panic: A decline in web traffic post-update doesn’t brand your content as “unhelpful.” Several variables, like algorithm tweaks or keyword search volume shifts, can be the culprits.
The recent update, known as Google’s helpful content update, specifically focuses on content that appears to have been primarily created with the intention of ranking well in search engines rather than providing assistance or information to users.
This algorithm update is aimed at aiding searchers in discovering high-quality content, as stated by Google. The objective is to reward superior and more valuable content crafted for human readers and intended to assist users.
Searchers often become frustrated when they come across unhelpful webpages that rank highly in search results solely because they were optimized for search engine rankings. This type of content is often referred to as “search engine-first content” or “SEO content.”
Google’s helpful content algorithm seeks to demote websites prioritising search engines over user experience while simultaneously elevating more useful websites designed with humans in mind, emphasising user needs over search engine requirements. Therefore, I recommend going for evergreen link worthy content.
This means prioritizing genuinely useful, informative, and audience-relevant content for Digital Marketing and SEO agencies. Shift focus from keyword-stuffing to addressing real user queries and providing value. Regularly update and audit content to ensure it aligns with this approach. Embrace a strategy that balances SEO with authentic, user-first content, fostering long-term organic growth and user trust.
In the rapidly evolving realm of SEO, this update underscores one constant: quality, user-centric content remains paramount.
