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Google Helpful Content Demystified
In September 2023, Google revealed its “Helpful Content Update,” a significant algorithm change aimed at prioritizing genuinely helpful and informative content over content primarily created for search engine rankings. Here’s an overview of the update and its impact:
Objective of the Update:
This update seeks to ensure that high-quality, user-centric content is rewarded in search rankings while penalizing unoriginal, low-quality material. It has a global impact, affecting content in all languages and across all websites.
Key Features and Changes:
Improved Classifier: The update introduces a more refined classifier to better identify and rank helpful content.
Global Impact: Unlike previous updates, this one applies to content in all languages and globally.
Sitewide Algorithm: The entire site will be affected by this update.
Search Only Impact: Currently, the update affects Google Search and Google Discover.
Third-Party Content: New guidelines emphasize the importance of oversight and relevance for hosting third-party content.
Content Assessment: Google recommends self-assessment and content improvement if traffic changes post-update.
