Google's September 2023 Helpful Content Update: What SEOs Need to Know!
Google has rolled out a significant update that's causing ripples in the SEO community. Here's a quick breakdown:
📅 Timeline:
Started: September 14, 2023
Ended: September 28, 2023
🔍 Key Insights:
- This update primarily targets "SEO-first" content, i.e., content written - primarily for search engine rankings.
- The SEO community has been vocal about the changes, with many noting significant ranking shifts.
- Data providers like Semrush and seoClarity have provided insights, with some showing less volatility than typical Google updates.
🎯 What's Targeted:
- Content created to rank well in search engines over genuinely helping users.
- The update promotes helpful content and will soon demote unhelpful content.
- It's a sitewide algorithm, impacting the entire website.
🌍 Global Impact:
- Not limited to English-language content; it's global and across all languages.
Google hinted at a "meaningful" impact, especially for online educational materials, entertainment, shopping, and tech-related content.
🛠 Recovery:
- If hit, review your content in line with Google's advice.
Refreshes are ongoing, but recovery can take several months.
💬 Barry Schwartz noted, "This update seemed to go after content that was written for ranking in search... It reminds me of when Google released the Penguin update."
Data Source from: Semrush
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