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What Does Google’s ‘Helpful Content Update’ Mean For You?

What Does Google’s ‘Helpful Content Update’ Mean For You?

Google will soon rollout a change to its search ranking algorithm that may prove be one of the most significant changes in over a decade. 

Google announced yesterday that it’s rolling out new Search updates over the next few weeks that will aim to make it easier for people to find high-quality content. Google call it the helpful content update. So, how helpful is it really? 

Google says that the update will especially target content that has been created primarily for ranking on search engines, known as “SEO-first” content, rather than human-first content. 

What is Google’s helpful content update? 

Google’s new helpful content update specifically targets “content that seems to have been primarily created for ranking well in search engines rather than to help or inform people.” 

The purpose of this algorithm update is to help searchers find high-quality content. Google wants to reward better and more useful content that was written for humans and to help users instead of only benefiting the website owner. 

Content written for the purpose of ranking in search engines – what you might call “search engine-first content” or “SEO content,” has been frequently written about lately and discussed across social media. 

In short, searchers are getting frustrated when they land on unhelpful webpages that rank well in search because they were designed to rank well but without providing the required content.  

Google’s new algorithm aims to downgrade those types of websites while promoting more helpful websites, designed for humans, above content which is designed for search engines.  

Google said this is an “ongoing effort to reduce low-quality content and make it easier to find content that feels authentic and useful in search.” 

If you are a frequent Google searcher, then time to rejoice! 

Google Suggests Instagram and TikTok are eating into Google’s core products, Search and Maps 

The launch of the new Search updates come as Google recently acknowledged that TikTok is cutting into its Search product. 

Senior vice president Prabhakar Raghavan, who runs Google’s Knowledge & Information organisation, recently noted that younger users are often turning to apps like Instagram and TikTok instead of Google Search or Maps for discovery purposes.  

For instance, Raghavan said nearly 40% of young people go to TikTok or Instagram when looking for a place to eat, as opposed to Google Maps or Search. Google therefore is attempting to create a better user experience via the helpful content update. 

 
This just highlights that for those businesses who are yet to delve into the world of video content as a means of promoting your business, they could be missing out on nearly 40% of search traffic. Are you one of those businesses? 

It’s time to stop ignoring the power of TikTok for your business. It’s not just a ‘teenager thing’. Over 60% of users are 20-49 and these could be your key customers.  

Our TikTok Tips 

  • Jump on those trends and show some personality. TikTok is a perfect example of why people buy from people. Express yourself! 
  • Be consistent. Have a schedule and stick to it but don’t be scared to be reactive. Some posts might be getting only a couple of views, but some might get 1000s! 
  • Don’t try to make it perfect. Creating content takes time but try not to worry about the small imperfections. Imperfect content is better than no content! 

With these upcoming ranking improvements, Google is likely looking to regain users’ trust when it comes to delivering relevant and high-quality results. We recommend hitting the TikTok trend whilst it’s hot. 

What types of content will the helpful content update impact? 

While Google algorithms do not specifically target any specific niche, Google said these types of content may be impacted the most: 

  • Online educational materials. 
  • Arts and entertainment. 
  • Shopping. 
  • Tech-related. 

This is because content written in those areas has historically been written more for search engines than humans.  

For example, Google say:  

“If you search for information about a new movie, you might have previously encountered articles that aggregated reviews from other sites without adding perspectives beyond what’s available elsewhere on the web. This isn’t very helpful if you’re expecting to read something new.”  

With this update, you’ll see more results with unique information, so you’re more likely to read something you haven’t seen before. If you are a website owner, make sure that any content you are producing is unique and useful to any potential readers! 

More helpful product reviews written by experts 

In addition to announcing the search results ranking improvements, Google also said it’s launching an update in the coming weeks to make it easier to find high-quality and original reviews.  

Product review videos are a notable part of TikTok, so it’s no surprise that Google is working to surface higher-quality reviews on its search results page. This is in order ensure that people come to its platform for reviews, as opposed to social media. 

What will be impacted?  

Google said this update may, in the future, impact those who “create product reviews in any language,” but Google said the initial rollout will be “English-language product reviews.” Google added they have seen “positive effects” from this update in the past and the search company “plans to open up product review support for more languages” in the future. 

As a business, it is SO important to be obtaining regular in-depth, high-quality reviews of your product/service in order to be found in the right ways. Positive reviews will earn you search engines trust.  

If you don’t have a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business), or if you do and you aren’t managing it, and receiving/responding to reviews then you’re missing a trick.  

Google Business Profiles are often overlooked at SEO agencies, but that’s where CREATIVE in TiME are different.  

We can set up and manage your Google Business Profile to improve your local SEO and get you found. Through uniquely tailored review responses, useful Google posts and closely monitored insights, CREATIVE in TiME can take your Google Business Profile from Zero to Hero. 

Conclusion

In short, here’s what you need to do now:  

  • Create human-first content. Follow Google’s long-standing advice and guidelines to create content for people, not for search engines. Find these guidelines via a quick Google Search. 
  • Create video content. It’s time to stop ignoring the power of TikTok for your business. It’s not just a ‘teenager thing’. Over 60% of users are 20-49 and these could be your key customers. 
  • Get more reviews and make sure your Google Business Profile (formerly, Google My Business) is up to date.  
Blogging: How to Start in 2023

Blogging: How to Start in 2023

So, you want to start a blog…GREAT! 

Blogging is an amazing way to bring more traffic to your website, become an authority in your field and build a community. 

What is Blogging? 

Blogging is the act of posting content on a website. They are informal articles written for the main purpose of showing thought leadership and expertise on a certain topic.  

Often, you will be reading a blog and won’t even know it!  

That recipe you just read, blog. 

List of fashion trends, blog. 

Technology tips, blog. 

If you’re searching for it then someone is blogging about it and vice versa, if you want to blog about something then the likelihood is that someone is searching for it. 

If you want to know the ins and outs of how to start blogging in 2023 then keep reading! 

Step 1: Choose your Blogging Host 

To get people to start reading your blog, it needs to be online! 

If you are starting from scratch, then you need to use a blog host to get your blog online. 

In this guide, we will show you how to use BlueHost for all of your blogging needs. Let me tell you a few quick reasons: 

  • They register your custom domain name for free 
  • 30-day money back guarantee 
  • Free, automatic installation of WordPress blogging software (this sounds scary but don’t panic) 
Image showing BlueHost screen showing prices for blogging hosting

Step 2: Create Your Account 

Once you visit their website, you need to select your plan. We would recommend that for a blogging beginner, you will only need the basic plan. 

Next, you need to input your domain name. Yes, this may seem like the complicated part. 

If you already have previously paid to register a domain and wish to use that to host your blog, then you can put it in the right box. If you have not, then input your chosen domain name into the left box and click “next”. 

Now for the easy part, I’m sure most of us have bought something using the internet before, so fill out your billing details on the registration page now. 

You will also need to choose your hosting package and extras, for a beginner blog, it is likely you are not going to need any extras as your account plan will have everything you need for your blog. 

You are now ready to create your BlueHost account and password! Not to be that person but please choose a secure and unique password, I don’t want any birthdays or full names here! 

Confirmation picture from Bluehost for blogging host

Once you have your account set up, you will be shown an installation helper but since you are reading this you can just click on “skip this step” to follow along with us instead (or do both!). 

The WordPress blogging platform will automatically install, and you can click on the “log into WordPress” button on the top right-hand corner to go to the administrator section of your blog. 

Step 3: Customise your blog 

This is where the fun really begins, here is your opportunity to customise the appearance of your blog! 

How you want your blog to look is personal preference, there is no right or wrong answer for how your own blog should look.  

One of the benefits of WordPress is its “themes” which can be accessed through the “appearance” tab. You should have some free WordPress themes already installed for use on your blog and unless you have a very specific design in mind, we would recommend using one of these. 

Once you pick a theme, all you need to do is hover other the theme and click activate. It’s that easy! 

If you don’t like any of these themes, just click “add new theme” to browse lots of other WordPress themes which you can install and activate. 

Step 4: Start writing 

The first step to any good blog is coming up with a title but we aren’t going to talk about that today, we already have a blog about that! Click here to find out about how to create engaging and catchy titles that people will WANT to click on. 

Step 5: Post! 

On WordPress, go to the menu on the left and click “posts”. 

Delete the post which is already there (it defaults on all new blogs and is not needed) and then click “add new”. 

You can now add in a title, your content and even extra things such as images. Don’t forget your SEO as well (what is SEO for blogging, you ask? Click here to find out). 

If you are creating your own blog, then you will also need to promote it. What’s a blog if it isn’t being read? 

Some ways to promote your blog are through social media, email marketing and search engine optimisation. 

If you are unsure of how to do this then get in touch now