The SEO Alphabet Soup: Breaking Down Google’s E-E-A-T
In a world where there are over 1 billion websites, SEO is not just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have. Think of it like a signboard that points potential customers towards your business. But instead of being on a highway, it’s in the vast network of the internet. And believe it or not, SEO can be your most dedicated employee – working 24/7 to bring in new leads, increase brand visibility, and make your website more user-friendly.
Now if you’ve been scratching your head trying to get a grip on Google’s E-E-A-T concept, you’re in the right place. We’re here to make your life easier and decode this enigma for you!
What Even is E-E-A-T? Hint: It’s Nothing to do With Food!
When it comes to Google’s E-E-A-T, we’re not talking about a hearty meal, but rather a three-pronged formula that Google’s algorithm craves. This flavourful acronym stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.
These are key ingredients that, when blended together, can make your website deliciously appealing to Google’s complex palate:
Experience
Let’s first dive into the first ‘E’ in E-E-A-T, which represents ‘Experience.’ It’s all about showing off your smarts and know-how when it comes to creating content online. Google loves websites and creators who really know their stuff and can provide accurate, trustworthy information. Being an expert means you’ve got the qualifications, experience, and deep understanding of the topic you’re talking about. Google’s algorithms want to make sure users get the best, most reliable info from people who really know their onions.
Expertise
Let’s now look at the second ‘E’ in E-E-A-T, which represents ‘Expertise.’ Picture this as your chef’s secret recipe or your mastery of a dish. Google, like a discerning food critic, looks for sites that demonstrate a high level of skill and knowledge in a particular field or subject matter. This demonstration needs to occur at the page level, not sitewide. If you’re concocting content in a field where you lack expertise, don’t fret! Collaborate with a culinary master, or in this case, an expert in that field. It will add the necessary flavours to satisfy Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines.
Authoritativeness
Next, we have the ‘A’ in E-E-A-T, which stands for ‘Authoritativeness.’ This is akin to the reputation you hold within your culinary, or mean professional, domain. Are you considered the Gordon Ramsay of your field, or are you still a sous-chef learning the ropes? Do others frequently refer (i.e., backlink) to your content or advice? Think of your authoritativeness as the Michelin star of your site. A solid foundation of expertise can pave the way to earning this star. By demonstrating your skills and knowledge, you build a reputation as an authority in your area, earning the trust and references of others.
Trustworthiness
‘Trust’ is the ‘T’ in E-E-A-T, and is the holy grail of any relationship, be it personal, professional, or in our case, with Google and search engine users. Trustworthiness is like the food safety certificate of your website, indicating whether Google and searchers can rely on your site as a credible source of information. One of the biggest indicators of your site’s trustworthiness is online reviews. These reviews, whether they sing your praises or expose your shortcomings, can have a significant impact on your website’s ranking on Google. A consistent track record of positive reviews can skyrocket your website’s position, while a slew of negative reviews can, unfortunately, send it spiralling down.
Out with the Old, In with the Updated
The first stop in our journey to SEO wizardry is our own backyard – our content. Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines suggest we spruce up our existing content. Here’s the deal: with an influx of new information, our once cutting-edge content can start feeling like yesterday’s news.
This is where we unleash our inner Marie Kondo and do some spring cleaning. Run an audit of your website to highlight the thin, duplicate or outdated content. Then get down to business with reworking and refreshing them. Remember, the aim is to be like a chameleon – constantly adapting to our surroundings.
Conquer the Content Kingdom
While our repurposing strategy is charging full steam ahead, we cannot ignore the importance of creating new content. This is where topical breadth and depth come into play.
Topical breadth is about painting with all the colours in our palette. This means diving into various topics within your industry and demonstrating your expansive knowledge.
Topical depth, on the other hand, is about how far down the rabbit hole we’re willing to go. And while the myth that “longer content ranks better” has been busted, remember, Google doesn’t like to play with thin content. Aim for content that is as comprehensive as it is engaging.
While we’re busy spiffing up our old content, let’s not forget about the shiny new possibilities. This is where topical breadth and depth work into our SEO strategy.
Originality is Key
If there’s one thing the divine beings of Google worship, it’s a good dose of originality. Imagine them up there, perched on their lofty clouds, their faces lighting up each time they stumble upon a slice of unique content in the endless sea of the Internet. So, why not make their day and sprinkle a dash of originality on your website?
Flex those creative muscles that have been lying dormant and waiting for their moment to shine. Get them out of the shadows and into the spotlight where they belong. It’s time to create something fresh, something distinctive, something so unmistakably ‘you’ that it sets your site apart from the rest.
And don’t forget to give credit where credit’s due and back your statements with data if applicable. It’s all about being a credible source.
Highlight Your Credentials with Strong Author Bios
Who knew that something as seemingly mundane as an author bio could be a secret weapon in boosting your E-E-A-T score? If you haven’t paid attention to this often-overlooked nugget, now’s the time to turn the spotlight onto it.
We live in an age of authenticity, where people are increasingly sceptical about faceless entities. They want to know who’s behind the content they consume. They want to connect with real people. And that’s precisely where a well-crafted author bio comes in. It’s not just a bunch of stale facts stitched together; it’s the story of the person behind the words.
Don’t shy away from being explicit about the author’s achievements. This isn’t the time for modesty. If they’ve published a book, completed advanced certifications, or conquered a seemingly impossible task, put it right out there! It’s like your own mini version of a red carpet event, and you’re the star.
And while you’re at it, don’t forget to emphasise their industry knowledge. This can range from mentioning specific years of experience to explaining their unique perspective or approach to topics in their field. This shows that the author knows their stuff and that they are not just another face in the crowd.
Assign the Experts
If you’re not an expert on a topic, no worries. There’s always someone who is. Get them to create a guest post and feature their author bio instead. If that’s not possible, have an expert review your content. And just like with author bios, make sure to highlight their expertise.
The Importance of Your ‘About Us’ Page
If you’ve been wondering how to showcase your brand’s story, look no further than your ‘About Us‘ page. Think of it as your brand’s digital autobiography, where you can candidly chat about everything that makes you, well, you! It’s the virtual stage where you get to strut your stuff and show Google, and your prospective customers, just what you’re made of. While it may not rank high for unbranded keywords, it certainly helps in proving your E-E-A-T on a sitewide level.
Your ‘About Us’ page is where you get to go all-out, giving a grand tour of your brand. Who are you? What do you do? What’s the mission that gets you out of bed every morning? You might even want to show the world the faces behind the brand, their credentials, their skills, their love for ping pong – you know, the little things that make your team unique and personable.
The Link of All Links: Using Quality Backlinks
Ah, link building. Like an underrated indie film – it doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves, but boy does it pack a punch!
In the magical world of SEO, quality backlinks are like golden tickets to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. They hold the power to transport your website from the shadows of search engine results pages (SERPs) to the dazzling limelight of the first page. But here’s the catch: not all backlinks are created equal.
Now, we’ve all been tempted to play the numbers game. After all, more backlinks = higher rankings, right? Well, not quite. It’s about quality, not quantity. So, you don’t want your website linked to or from untrustworthy sources.
Your goal should be to woo high-quality, relevant websites that have a good reputation in the online neighbourhood. But remember, it’s not just about being part of the ‘in’ crowd. You want positive mentions, shoutouts that say, “Hey, these guys know what they’re talking about.”
Leave Your Mark with Authentic Reviews
Online reviews are like your brand’s report card. They help determine whether your site is trustworthy or not. Make review generation a key part of your SEO strategy or collaborate with a reputed organisation to manage it. After all, nothing screams “trustworthy” louder than a bunch of happy customers.
From E-E-A-T To S-U-C-C-E-SS
From sprucing up your content and flexing your creative muscles, to flaunting your credentials and curating quality backlinks, it’s clear that mastering E-E-A-T is no walk in the park. But hey, no one said the path to SEO success was going to be easy!
So if you’re wondering how to put your best foot forward, it’s worth reaching out to the team at First Page, where we eat, sleep, and breathe SEO. We’re your one-stop shop for all things SEO, offering a smorgasbord of services that are tailor-made to take your online presence to the next level.
Our SEO specialists are at the ready, eager to help you navigate the complex labyrinth of Google’s algorithms and come out on top. We’re not just about getting you to the first page of search engine results – we’re about keeping you there.
Contact us today to learn more!
