Google is updating helpful content guides and improving Search Console reports

Google is updating its guide to creating helpful content by adding a section dedicated to site experience.

The update aims to help site owners take a more holistic view of the page experience during the content creation process.

what’s new

Google’s help page for creating helpful content has been revamped with a new section on providing a great site experience.

This change helps clarify the importance of page experience for those looking to thrive on Google Search.

Although no significant new aspects have been introduced, the update streamlines the existing guidance.

Google reminds publishers that core web vitals are still critical to the success of the page experience, as they have been in the past.

A revised help page entitled “Understanding page experience in Google Search results” provides more detailed information on the role of page experience, as well as self-assessment questions and resources.

This page consolidates important aspects of the site experience that Google has been discussing for the last few years.

Upcoming changes to Search Console reports

In the coming months, the Page Experience report in Search Console will be transformed into a new page that links to general page experience notes and a dashboard view of each Core Web Vitals and HTTPS report that will remain in Search Console.

Additionally, effective December 1, 2023, Google will retire the Search Console Mobile Usability report, the Mobile Optimization Test tool, and the Mobile Optimization Test API.

Google assures that mobile usability remains key to site experience guidance and site owners should continue to prioritize it.

FAQ Highlights

Google addresses several FAQs about the updated guidance, emphasizing the following points:

• A single “page experience signal” is not used for ranking in Google Search, as multiple signals are considered in relation to overall page experience.
• Core Web Vitals remain essential to search success and a great user experience.
• Good Page Experience is not an eligibility requirement to appear in the Top Stories carousel on mobile.
• Site experience is generally rated on a site-by-site basis, although some site-wide ratings exist.
• The helpful content system focuses primarily on content-related signals, but site experience factors contribute somewhat.

More considerations

Google’s automated ranking systems prioritize helpful, reliable content created for people over search engine rankings.

To ensure your content adheres to these principles, rate it yourself and have it rated by trusted, independent people.

Focus on the quality and expertise of your content and try to provide a great site experience.

Take a people-centric approach to content creation, engaging an audience, demonstrating expertise, and ensuring the content is valuable and satisfying.

Avoid search engine oriented content by refraining from creating content solely intended to attract search engine visits or manipulate rankings.

Understand the concepts of EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) and use the Quality Evaluator Guidelines to further improve your content.

Finally, consider the who, how, and why.

Include who wrote the content and how it was created. Above all, create content with the primary goal of helping people.

By following these guidelines, your content will align better with Google’s major ranking systems and have a greater chance of success.

source: Google

Featured image: salarko/Shutterstock