Complete E-E-A-T SEO Techniques for SMBs

Just when you are feeling pretty good about your website, you are starting to lose visitors, and you can't figure out why. You are working on your Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and there is improvement in your traffic, but it's dropping. Let's look at E-E-A-T SEO Techniques. Below is what I'll discuss in this article.

1. ?What is E-E-A-T?
2. Definition and role
3. Google's purpose in creating E-E-A-T
4. Why is E-E-A-T important in Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?

?What is E-E-A-T?

But what does each of these letters mean? E-E-A-T (or Double E-A-T) stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. It's a framework that Google uses to evaluate the quality of content on websites, especially in the context of its search algorithm. The primary goal is to ensure that users are provided with accurate, reliable, and trustworthy information when they use Google to search for answers.

E-E-A-T is not a ranking factor, but it is essential. Google's Quality Raters use Google's Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines to review writers' content and report back to Google with their findings.

?Definition and its Role in Google's Search Algorithm

Experience: What is Experience? Let's look at Merriam-Webster's definition below:

?"2a – a practical knowledge, skill, or practice derived from direct observation of or participation in events or in a particular activity."

Let's break it down to a more manageable level.

When you see, feel, or practice something frequently, you are experiencing the effects of things, whether they are facts or events. You know what they are talking about from either reading a lot about the topic or you have done it yourself.

Expertise: This is about you or someone else having knowledge or skill in a particular area. Content should be created by someone who thoroughly understands the topic they're discussing. For instance, if it's a medical article, ideally, it should be written by a medical professional or someone with significant knowledge in that field.

Authoritativeness: The content on your website should be credible. An authoritative source is recognized and respected by peers, experts, and the general audience.

Trustworthiness: This relates to the accuracy and reliability of the content and the website. The content you provide to your users must be accurate. They need to be able to trust the content will not mislead them. Factors like site security, clear policies, and transparency about who's behind the website will give your users confidence that they can trust you.

Google is interested in seeing high-quality content. Using E-E-A-T in Google's search algorithm ensures that websites that adhere to these principles may rank higher in search results because Google believes the users will receive value when they visit your website.

What was Google's purpose in creating E-E-A-T

The internet provides a ton of information. With Google being the leading search engine, they consider it their primary responsibility to ensure users get the best relevant and reliable information. However, that proves to be a challenge for them. The internet is full of misinformation, fake news, and low-quality content that is spreading like wildfire with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).

As a result, E-E-A-T Google introduced Google's Search Quality Rater Guidelines. Human raters use these guidelines to evaluate the quality of Google's search results. While these ratings don't directly affect rankings, they help Google refine its algorithm to produce better results.

The introduction of E-E-A-T was a response to the need for better content quality standards. Especially in "Your Money or Your Life" (YMYL) topics, you must prioritize experience, expertise, authority, and trust. Why? It is because this content affects everyone's health, finances, and safety.

Therefore, Google introduced E-E-A-T to ensure the internet provides you and your users with information that makes a reader's experience pleasant.

Why is E-E-A-T important in SEO?

Even though the principles of E-E-A-T in SEO are not a ranking factor, it is still important to follow the guidelines for four reasons:

Higher search rankings: Google's search algorithm provides users with the most relevant and reliable information. If you follow these guidelines, Google notices. Remember, high-quality content is more likely to be rewarded. Your website will move up the ladder in Google Search, increasing visibility and organic traffic.

User trust and satisfaction: Users rely on search engines to find accurate and trustworthy information. When your website showcases experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness, users are more likely to choose your website above your competitors and stay longer on your site.

If they don’t find that high-quality content on your site, poof, they are gone. They’re on their way to a website, social media, or platform that has it. Not only that, they may very well become repeat visitors.

Credibility and reputation: E-E-A-T helps establish your website as a credible and reputable source in your industry. You can enhance your brand image, attract visitors, and even lead to collaborations and partnerships.

Better user experience: A positive user experience will ensure users will return to read your high-quality and reliable content. As a result, this can lead to more extended website visits, lower bounce rates, and increased engagement metrics, all favorable signals to search engines.

So what do you think? Does this make sense in the overall scheme of things? It should. ?E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) is a building block for Google's search algorithm, shaping how content is ranked and presented to users.

For Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs), understanding and implementing E-E-A-T SEO techniques is crucial for improving online visibility, gaining user trust, and enhancing overall business credibility. Within this article, we looked at what E-E-A-T is, its definition and role, what Google’s purpose was in creating E-E-A-T, and why it is important to you in the world of SEO.

Though E-E-A-T is not a direct ranking factor, its influence is undeniable, rewarding those who provide reliable, relevant, and high-quality content.

For those companies that are SMBs, embracing the principles of E-E-A-T not only boosts your Google rankings but also fosters a solid and trustworthy relationship with your audience, ultimately driving business growth.

#EEAT #SEO