August 2018 is unforgettable for many, especially those whose sites got hit by Google that month. Wondering why? Because Google launched the core update that month in which it prioritized sites that align with EAT. And the surprising fact is that this search engine didn’t stop; it updated its algorithms again in December 2022. This time, it added a new “E” and started preferring sites that excel in EEAT.
However, you may be wondering about what is this EEAT, and why is it so important? Most importantly, does it have any impact on search engine optimization? These are all the questions that may be coming to your mind. So, why not explore this term deeply? Wouldn’t it be helpful? If yes, then come along to discover more and get answers to your queries regarding EEAT.
What Exactly Is EEAT?
Since it is a Google term, why not get assistance from it? If we dig deeper into this matter, we find out that EEAT is a part of Google’s search quality raters guidelines. In simple words, it is a set of principles for professional analysts who are dedicated to assessing the quality of search results. It was introduced to ensure that the users see the most helpful content against their queries.
Now let’s discuss what EEAT exactly stands for. Basically, it is an acronym, which is a combination of four different yet relevant terms. These terminologies are Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. They are also called the factors of EEAT. Each of them needs to be discussed deeply. So, let’s do it.
Factors Of EEAT And Their Impact On SEO
Let’s see what each factor of EEAT means and why it matters for search engine optimization.
- Experience
Experience is the new factor added to the existing guidelines of search quality raters of Google. It focuses on whether the content is created by a person who has first-hand experience with the subject or not. In other words, it prioritizes that only those creators produce material that has experienced the situation and circumstances or tested a process, product, or service.
According to Google, those who have not tackled a situation personally can’t describe it efficiently. Similarly, if someone has not tried a product yet, they can’t tell about its pros and cons accurately. From this, it is clear that only that article, blog, or guide will be given preferences that are written by a subject matter expert.
- Expertise
Another “E” in EEAT stands for expertise. It basically refers to the level of knowledge that the content creator has. It is a key quality assessment factor for sites that talk about specialized topics such as medical or legal. How expert the content creator is in the intended fields defines how helpful content he/she can create for their website.
No matter if you have covered the right keywords, if your content doesn’t demonstrate expertise, it is less credible in the eyes of Google. As a result, it will not get as much prominence as an in-depth piece of content. So, the lack of expertise in the information of your site can make it less deserving of ranking in search results.
- Authoritativeness
Authoritativeness is a step forward in assessing the quality of content. Google doesn’t just care about how expert you are; it also keeps an eye on how authoritative you are. In simple words, it evaluates the recognition of your content among industry leaders. It checks to what extent others believe in your information.
When your site gets recognized by the peers in your field, it increases the authority of your website in front of Google. With more authority, your content becomes more deserving of being ranked for the relevant search terms. So, if you focus on the authoritativeness of your site, it is more likely that it will rank higher in search results.
- Trustworthiness
The last metric of EEAT that Google’s professionals use to determine the quality of content is trustworthiness. It is a key factor that influences SEO significantly. It basically refers to the credibility of the information present on your site. It mainly revolves around the accuracy, originality, and validity of the details you use in your content.
Google will never trust your site if your information is wrong, outdated, or stolen from others. All these things matter a lot for this search engine, as it aims to show the most trusted results to users. Additionally, Google also sees other elements, such as whether the site is secure and whether you have featured relevant certifications. So the more you align your SEO practices to demonstrate trustworthiness, the higher the chances of ranking.
Effective Practices To Meet EEAT Criteria For Better SEO
Now that you have learned what EEAT is, its factors, and its impact on SEO, it is also essential to know how to meet EEAT. Complying with these guidelines of Google has become more important than ever, especially since its December Helpful Content Update. So, let’s learn the best practices to demonstrate experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness so that your SEO efforts don’t go in vain.
- Cover Topics From All Aspects
As mentioned earlier, Google doesn’t want generic content. Instead, it requires in-depth information that answers all the questions related to a topic. Therefore, try to cover a topic from multiple aspects. For instance, you can divide the topic into relevant subheadings and then discuss each of them thoroughly. This signals to Google that the content is written by an expert.
- Gain Recognition In The Industry
Google wants you to be recognized by others. When others trust you, it acts as a vote of confidence that increases your authority in the eyes of Google. To gain significant recognition, focus on digital PR, influencer collaboration, and, most importantly, link building. Get featured on credible sites to showcase that you are trusted by others. This acts as a strong ranking signal for Google.
- Ensure Originality In Your Content
The originality of content greatly contributes to demonstrating the trustworthiness of your site. So, before publishing any material, make sure it is 100% original. In this regard, you can rely on advanced plagiarism checkers. Most of such tools allow you to check plagiarism free. So, all you need to do is access a reliable plagiarism detector and upload content to it. Within seconds, the originality report will be on your screen, which will help you take the necessary steps.
- Verify Factual Accuracy In Content
Another helpful practice to build trust with Google is providing highly accurate information. So, whenever you decide to publish a blog, guide, or article, make sure the facts and figures mentioned in it are credible. Double-check all the details to verify that no wrong statement is present in your content. Also, if you borrow information from others, ensure that the sources are credible.
- Add Author Information To Pages
It is discussed earlier that Google appreciates expert reviews on a topic. One effective way to demonstrate expertise and experience is by featuring detailed author profiles on your site. This creates transparency that helps Google easily understand who is creating content and whether he/she is worth writing on a topic. This practice helps you earn the trust of Google, which is essential for ranking higher.
The Final Words
After going through this guide, the term EEAT should not confuse you anymore. From its definition to factors, we have explained everything thoroughly. We hope that you have gained enough knowledge about it to meet its standards easily. For your convenience, we have also provided some best practices to demonstrate EEAT on your site. So, don’t forget to apply them for better SEO.
