4 Secrets to Craft Helpful Content That Ranks Higher in Google Search Results

Since Google’s introduction of its Helpful Content System, designed to encourage content creators to create content that resonates with their target audience rather than appease search engines, there has been a great debate around what constitutes “helpful content”.

The main issue with determining what is helpful content is this is subjective; what one person deems helpful might not be helpful to someone else.?

The consistent ambiguity around how to create content that aligns with Google’s guidelines and ranks favorably in the search engine results pages keeps content marketers up at night.

The concept of "helpful" content in the eyes of Google may have gray area, but what it has taught SEO and marketing professionals alike is that the conventional wisdom of a one-size-fits-all approach paving the path for success in search rankings is no longer a sound strategy.

It’s important to recognize users have different preferences—some like short articles, while others prefer longer, more detailed guides.

Here's my take on how to navigate the helpful content debate.

Key Takeaways

• User Value Matters Most: The main focus of creating content should be ensuring your content is genuinely helpful to your audience rather than focusing on reaching a specific word count.

• Bridge Information Gaps: To understand what consumers find useful around a certain topic, look at? the top 5 search results for a given keyword. By identifying and addressing information gaps in those top five results, you can help improve the user experience and elevate the relevance of the content.

• Quality Content and Patient Growth: Getting links naturally takes time. In the meantime, prioritize creating high-quality content that’s worthy of receiving mentions.

• Proactive Link Building: Build a consistent content distribution strategy. Actively share your content on relevant online platforms to get more people to see it and, hopefully, link to it.

Chelsea Alves , a Consultant at UNmiss, adds her thoughts around what it takes to create helpful content,

“ As with any Google ranking update, it’s crucial to remember user preferences vary widely and the key lies in understanding your audience.

It's not just about meeting search engine criteria; it's about genuinely connecting with your target consumer.

Tailor your content to resonate with your audience by addressing their unique needs and concerns.

Building a credible and trustworthy brand involves more than just trying to beat algorithms; it's about matching the intent of your audience.

Digital content best practices will always be evolving but authenticity and relevance will remain paramount."

Chelsea Alves , a Consultant at UNmiss, adds her thoughts around what it takes to create helpful content, saying,

"In an era where algorithms constantly evolve, and user preferences vary widely, the key lies in understanding your audience.

It's not just about meeting search engine criteria; it's about genuinely connecting with people.

Tailor your content to resonate with your target audience by delving into their needs and concerns.

Don't be afraid to experiment and iterate based on feedback.

Building a trustworthy brand involves more than just algorithms; it's about fostering relationships with your audience.

As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of digital content, authenticity and relevance will remain paramount."

Chelsea's insights highlight the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to content marketing, emphasizing the human aspect in content creation.

Rather than allowing search engine ranking factors to guide content creation and strategy, Chelsea advocates for a people-centric strategy that goes beyond scrutinizing every single search engine guideline.

She anticipates shifting the focus from search engines to user experience will be the key driver of success in the future for content marketers.

Do you agree/disagree?

Share your thoughts in the comments.