When it comes to ranking high in Google search results, most website owners and SEO specialists are aware of the importance of keywords, backlinks, and content quality. However, there's an additional set of criteria that Google's search algorithm considers to deliver the best possible results to its users. These are the E-E-A-T factors, which refer to Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. To practically evaluate how your site measures up against the competition in these aspects, consider utilizing tools like the POP's E-E-A-T report to scan your page for E-E-A-T signals and compare them with those of your top competitors. In this blog post, we'll talk about the first component of E-E-A-T: Experience. We'll explain what it means, why it is crucial to prove it, and how to optimize your website to improve your E-E-A-T score.
What is E-E-A-T?
E-E-A-T is an essential component of Google's search quality guidelines centered on experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness. It's a significant aspect considered by Google's AI when ranking a page's SEO. Simply put, E-E-A-T helps Google find high-quality, reliable, and genuine content. Now, when we talk about E-E-A-T, what do we specifically mean? Expertise refers to the level of knowledge or skill in a particular area. For instance, a health-related article authored by a medical professional evidences the element of 'expertise.' 'Authority' refers to the author's standing in a specific field. In other words, does the author have appropriate credentials and a good online reputation? The last element, 'Trustworthiness,' is all about reliability. Google prefers trustworthy sources, i.e., those that display accurate information, have good user experience, and use secure HTTPs. Understanding E-E-A-T is key to SEO and improving your Google search rank. To truly become an authority in your field and make E-E-A-T work for you, you should continually strive to demonstrate quality content based on your experience and expertise.
What is Experience in E-A-T?
Google's inclusion of Experience into its E-A-T criteria, as detailed in the updated Search Quality Rater Guidelines on December 15, 2022, underlines the value of content that showcases the creator's direct, personal engagement with the subject to ensure that the advice is reliable and the insights genuine. This emphasis on Experience, particularly for Your Money or Your Life (YMYL) topics, underscores the importance of content that reflects practical knowledge gained through direct involvement or observation, guiding creators to discern when to share personal narratives or defer to established expertise.
Experience can be related to formal education, practical skills, work experience, or a combination of these factors.
Why is Experience Essential to Prove in E-E-A-T?
Proving experience in your field or niche is essential for several reasons. First, it helps search engines determine your content's relevance and authority when it comes to specific topics or queries. For instance, if you run a health and wellness website, demonstrating that you have experience in researching, practicing, or advising on health-related issues will improve your chances of ranking high for health-related keywords or questions.
The new Google Guideline highlights that content should reflect personal expertise or actual visits to discussed locations, valuing first-hand life experiences in its creation. Moreover, Google advises that to establish expertise and authoritativeness, content creators should demonstrate in-depth knowledge and human effort in their work, as Google's updates now scrutinize the authenticity and helpfulness of information, encouraging strategies that showcase true expertise.
Second, proving experience can also increase your audience's trust and satisfaction. When people search for information online, they want to know that the sources they rely on are reliable and knowledgeable. By showcasing your experience and expertise, you can build your audience's confidence in your content and your brand.
Understand and Implement E-E-A-T: First-Hand Experience and Expertise Content Guide
If you're wondering 'What is E-E-A-T?', it's a marketing strategy used to work towards higher search engine rankings. To understand and implement E-E-A-T requires first-hand experience and expertise. Experience is the foundation of any strong E-E-A-T strategy; having experiences in days, weeks, months, or even years - the more, the merrier. Your first-hand experience becomes your cornerstone, your major advantage amongst competitors. It demonstrates knowledge and the high degree of proficiency expected by users.
A writer’s expertise plays a significant role too. It's the fuel that powers your content, making your pages more favorable to Google. Efficiency, effectiveness, and the ability to stay updated are qualities an expert writer embodies and subsequently reflects in their work. Quality content allows users to have high confidence in the information provided. Writers should continuously update their skills with the keyword changes in this dynamic marketing field.
Hence, applying consistent effort to update your experiences, demonstrating first-hand understanding while maintaining high levels of expertise, is your key to success. Regular reviews of your strategy and making necessary amendments based on user and competitor behavior will ensure you stay at the top of the marketing game. Go the extra mile, E-E-A-T that, and experience the thrill of achievement!
Making E-E-A-T Practical: Demonstrating Experience and Expertise in Your Content
In search of a high content quality, we're making E-E-A-T practical by demonstrating experience and expertise in our content. As Google stresses on page experience, with this approach, experience expertise becomes an essential aspect. You should know that when content demonstrates evidence of authority and personal experience, Google starts viewing your site as a valuable source. This runs from demonstrating experience in written content to the backlinks and media you use.
But it doesn't become sufficient by just making experience evident. SEO and keyword research is equally important. This is where the expertise factor arises. Your content must be well researched and incorporate targeted keywords naturally, making it highly optimized for search. When Microsoft and other leading authorities validate the expertise, the authenticity of your content boosts multiple times.
Each page of your site has the potential to demonstrate your expertise on a specific type. But remember, it's not just about having a good page experience or content. It's about how each part of your site comes together to show Google the value you offer. Make your expertise visible in your content and Microsoft will stamp you with authority ensuring your content is destined for success.
Enhancing Page Experience Through E-E-A-T and EEAT Strategies
Enhancing your page experience naturally involves understanding and implementing the principles of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness). It's essential to remember that in the world of marketing, your social-media ads or any other form of advertising must align with E-E-A-T guidelines.
Experience combats this by providing valid and reliable information. As your knowledge grows on the topic, the easier it'll be to implement E-E-A-T strategies and demonstrate your expertise. After all, experience Google demands should not be underestimated in today's SEO strategies. Providing value and proving your experience and knowledge in a structured manner purposed for your audience, can significantly improve your marketing and search results. E-E-A-T shouldn't be viewed as a hurdle but rather a tool to refine and validate the content in your pages. Understand these strategies and provide reliable, quality content to improve your SEO and the overall page experience.
Experience is a critical component of E-E-A-T, and it's crucial for website owners and content creators to demonstrate their expertise and knowledge to rank high in Google search results. Whether you run a business website, a personal blog, or an e-commerce platform, focusing on E-E-A-T factors, including experience, can help you build your brand's authority, trust, and reputation. By providing relevant and accurate information, collaborating with experts, and creating engaging content, you can show both search engines and your audience that you have what it takes to lead your niche or industry.
Co-Founder & Lead SEO at POP
Kyle Roof is an SEO expert, speaker and trainer. Kyle currently resides in Chiang Mai, Thailand with his family.
