Google Releases New Helpful Content Update

Google recently pushed a new helpful content update to its search algorithm on Sep 14, 2023. This update aims to better reward helpful, original content while reducing the rankings of unhelpful or low-value content.

What is the Helpful Content Update?

The helpful content update is designed to identify content that doesn't seem to offer much value to searchers. The algorithm uses machine learning to automatically classify sites with high amounts of unhelpful content.

Sites determined to have a lot of unhelpful content may see their rankings decline for all content, not just the low-value pages. This is because Google assumes if a site has a lot of unhelpful content, the rest of the content is less likely to be useful either.

How the Helpful Content System Works

The helpful content system generates a site-wide quality signal that Google uses along with many other factors to rank pages. It works entirely automatically to identify unhelpful content globally across all languages.

The signal can take months to apply fully to affected sites. Google will continue monitoring sites classified as having unhelpful content, and if the low-value content does not return over time, the classification will no longer apply.

How Site Owners Should Prepare

If you've noticed ranking changes after a helpful content update, you should review your content and fix or remove unhelpful pages. Focus on creating original, high-quality content that offers real value for searchers.

Removing low-value content can help the rest of your site to rank better over time. But if you keep producing helpful content, you likely don't need to worry about these updates at all.

The key is making your content useful, relevant, and satisfying for searchers. Follow Google's recommendations for creating people-first content, and regularly self-assess your pages to ensure you're meeting quality standards. With a focus on great content, Google's helpful content updates can work in your favor.