Google’s Helpful Content Update - Prioritizing Context over Quantity

Google updates its search algorithm frequently to ensure better value for its customers. While some of its updates feel insignificant, others take it closer to what it has always aimed to ensure for users as a search engine - to make search a worthwhile experience for its users.

Google’s latest update, named the “Helpful Content” update, seeks to reward people-first content over search engine-first output. It is a part of the significant push from the brand to ensure its visitors can see more original content written by people, for people. 

Let’s discuss the key takeaways of the recent Google update. 

Creating more content around what users want:-

While Google is not directly targeting AI-generated content, and it is almost impossible to distinguish content written by humans and AI, the focus is on promoting people-first content. 

Truth be told, ever since AI-driven content writing tools have come to the forefront, Google has been trying to deter users from posting content directly generated via these software. Instead, it wants website owners to understand the need to integrate human efforts to ensure optimized results. 

At Scalenut, AI is seen as a boon for the writing industry, provided it is used well. “Scalenut focuses on AI-assisted SEO research and writing and puts a lot of emphasis on ways how AI can streamline content marketing,” states Saurabh Wadhawan, Co-founder of Scalenut. 

Focusing more on in-depth content:-

Google has been vocal about deterring people from writing content that is superfluous and unrelatable.

In most cases, people who have not had first-hand experience with products or services end up creating content that merely summarizes what other sites have to say with affiliate links stuffed in between. It may achieve the creators’ goals, but is it good enough for the readers?

That is the question Google is seeking to answer with its latest update. It wants people to create more in-depth content that showcases experience and expertise rather than churning out run-of-the-mill stuff. 

Not creating content merely for search engines:-

We can all acknowledge that keywords are essential. But overusing them can prove detrimental, as suggested by the latest helpful content update. 

Google states that it understands the importance of SEO, but it is imperative for creators to apply it for people-first content. It also says that content created primarily for search engines is often found lacking in depth and tagged unsatisfying by the searchers. 

According to Saurabh, “A platform like Scalenut combines NLP optimization with social listening to help creators understand what their target audience is looking for. Scalenut enables users to create people-first content which can be considered valuable not only by the search engines but by the readers too.” 

Final Notes:-

As you read this, Google’s helpful content update is in works and seeks to provide users with an idea of where the search algorithm is headed. The update is currently limited to English searches, but the search giant plans to roll it out for other languages too. 

“Over the coming months, we will also continue refining how the classifier detects unhelpful content and launch further efforts to better reward people-first content,” states Google. 

“It is key to understand that AI in content writing should not be treated as the be-all and the end-all of the process. Instead, it is vital to deduce its best use cases and pour in human efforts to produce the best results. It’s simpler than it sounds.” says Saurabh.