Google has announced five updates to its Search Quality Rater Guidelines, with an updated version of the document issued too which gives a brief explanation about each update. Although these guidelines and updates will have no direct impact on your ranking, but they’ll help you know the aspects that Google considers while assessing content quality. These guidelines can also help you understand the future direction Google may be headed towards in its algorithmic changes, and the types of nuances it looks for while evaluating content and E-A-T. Let’s know take a look at the five updates that have been made to Google’s Search Quality Rater Guidelines.
Update 1 – Expanded the definition of the ‘Groups of people’
Google’s YMYL content includes a section about ‘Groups of people’ which till now included information related to age, nationality, religion, ethnic origin, race, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, and disability. Keeping these groups as it is, Google further added some more classifications. These include caste, gender expression, immigration status, sex/gender, victims of a major violent event and their kin, or any other characteristic that is associated with systemic discrimination or marginalization. This proves how Google is working to expand its notions of YMYL content to include a variety of identities and socioeconomic conditions.
Update 2 – Refreshed guidance on researching reputation information
- Earlier, Google stated that “reputation research is necessary for all websites”. But now, it states that reputation research is only necessary “to the extent that an established reputation can be found”.
- Google also encourages raters to consider whether a topic is YMYL or not, and assess reputation accordingly. For instance, user reviews are helpful for an online store, but not as much for a medical information website.
- Earlier, Google only considered the number of positive reviews for a website, but with the new update, it’s going to focus on detailed and trustworthy positive reviews to be an evidence of a good reputation.
- Google also adjusted its definition of how reputation should be measured on an individual or website level, by giving an example that “for individual authors and content creators, biographical information articles can be a good source of reputation information.”
- Google switched its language from “when a high level of authoritativeness or expertise is needed” to “for YMYL informational topics.”
Update 3 – Restructured and updated ‘Lowest Page Quality’ section
How Google will now calculate the lowest page quality has also been updated. Along with what it considered earlier, Google has made some additions to determine that a page can cause harm, misinform users, or spread negativity. The additions include –
- Websites that doxx users
- Content containing instructions on committing suicide or homicide
- Content that contains offensive or dehumanizing stereotypes
- Harmful content that can be easily refuted by widely accepted facts
- Unsubstantiated theories that are not grounded in facts or evidence
Update 4 – Simplified the ‘Upsetting-Offensive’ definition
Google has simplified its definition of ‘Upsetting-Offensive’, making it briefer and more concise. This is with the hope that offensive and factually incorrect information will be better spotted to prevent such content from crowding out accurate and trustworthy information in the top search results. As per the new update, upsetting and offensive is content that can be considered such as per the searchers from the locale, but one thing that Google has removed is the statement that said “result should be considered “upsetting-offensive” even if it satisfies user intent”.
Update 5 – Minor changes throughout
Google has also come up with many other minor changes throughout, which include updated screenshots, updated URLs, wording, consistency, and clarity. All kinds of outdated data should be removed, to keep the content updated, fresh, and of high quality.
With these five updates, Google makes sure that the guidelines are working as intended, so that search on the search engine giant can be improved. Staying on top of all such updated can help keep up with Google’s understanding of what makes for a quality search experience, thus optimizing your content and website accordingly. For every such update and optimization, you can always rely on the services of a professional digital marketing company in Bangalore, who at all times stays updated with the latest news, and cab deliver the best solutions accordingly.
