The September 2023 Helpful Content Update rollout by Google, initiated on September 14 and concluded on September 28, has been successfully finalized. Google has disclosed that this update encompasses an enhanced classifier and introduces several substantial modifications to the Helpful Content System, a Google initiative aimed at prioritizing content for people while reducing the visibility of content primarily tailored for search engine algorithms.
What You Need to Know about the Google’s Helpful Content System
Google’s Helpful Content System collaborates with various systems to assess website rankings based on content quality and utility.
With the September 2023 update, Google has revised the system’s guidelines and documentation, providing fresh guidance for those who may have encountered a decline in their website traffic.
Significant Changes in the September 2023 Update
The September update has introduced three significant changes to the guidelines of the Helpful Content System:
- Modifications to the recommendations regarding machine-generated content.
- Updated regulations for hosting third-party content on subdomains or the main domain.
- Supplementary guidance on actions to take if a website encounters a decrease in traffic after a Helpful Content Update.
Revised Instructions Regarding Machine-Generated Content
Google’s prior position regarding machine-generated content, which had leaned towards favouring human-generated content, has been moderated. The revised guidelines reflect a change in Google’s perspective toward AI-generated content, aligning it more closely with their other recommendations for crafting valuable material.
Hosting Third-Party Content
The update has tackled the prevalent practice of hosting third-party content on a website’s main domain or subdomain. Although some website owners might have thought that this approach could enhance the ranking potential of subdomain content through the main site, the September 2023 update might have adverse effects on websites employing this strategy.
Google’s current recommendation is to prevent the indexing of third-party content if it is substantially unrelated to the primary site’s purpose or if it is created without direct supervision.
Revised Self-Evaluation Instructions
Google has revamped its Helpful Content Self-Assessment guidance, incorporating fresh insights. Noteworthy alterations include a heightened focus on the review procedure, advisories against making misleading updates to pages, and a reminder to avoid manipulating content additions or removals merely for the sake of appearing “up-to-date” in search rankings.
Insights from Google’s Gary Illyes on the Update
Gary Illyes from Google offered context about the update, shedding light on the problem of micro-sites. Illyes pointed out that these third-party websites, residing on subdomains or subdirectories without proper oversight, frequently aim to manipulate search outcomes rather than offer genuinely beneficial content.
When asked about sitewide signals, Illyes clarified that distinct signals function at multiple tiers, encompassing URL, pattern, host, and domain levels.
Recovering from a Helpful Content Update
Finally, the update incorporates fresh recommendations for individuals impacted by a Helpful Content Update. Google suggests that these websites should identify and either remove or replace unhelpful content.
Google now recommends identifying unhelpful content on your website and taking action to either remove it or replace it with more valuable material.
In Conclusion
Concluding the September 2023 Helpful Content Update represents another milestone in Google’s continual commitment to enhancing the quality and relevance of search outcomes. Website owners and SEO professionals need to adapt to these modifications in order to effectively optimize their search rankings.
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