SEO and E-E-A-T: Google’s Standard for High-Quality Content

E-A-T in SEO is a fundamental concept that Google considers when evaluating websites. It consists of Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. This blog post explains in detail what E-A-T is in SEO, why it's increasingly important, and how you can implement it on your website. It offers practical tips for improving E-A-T, its relevance to algorithm updates, successful examples, and tools you can use. It also includes recommendations for businesses and types of content that align with E-A-T, providing a comprehensive guide to improving E-A-T in SEO.

What is E-A-T in SEO?

What is E-A-T in SEO?

EEAT in SEO is the basic framework Google uses to evaluate search results. These concepts, which stand for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness, are used to measure the quality of a website and its content. Google aims to provide its users with the most accurate and trustworthy information. Therefore, EEAT criteria are crucial for websites that want to rank high in search results.

EEAT is especially important for websites that discuss issues that could impact users' health, finances, or safety, known as Your Money or Your Life (YMYL). YMYL sites are more strictly regulated and subject to more thorough assessments for their compliance with EEAT criteria. It is crucial for these sites to demonstrate their expertise and credibility to prevent users from being exposed to misleading or inaccurate information.

EEAT Basic Components

Experience: The content is based on real-world experience and provides practical information.
Expertise: The creator has in-depth knowledge of the topic and can demonstrate their expertise.
Authoritativeness: The website creator is a recognized and respected resource in the industry.
Trustworthiness: The website and its content provide accurate, transparent, and reliable information.
Timeliness: The content contains current and accurate information and is updated regularly.

Understanding and implementing EEAT principles not only helps your website rank better on Google, but also helps you gain user trust and improve your brand reputation. Remember, Google's algorithm is constantly evolving and prioritizes user experience. Therefore, focusing on EEAT is a crucial strategy for long-term SEO success.

EEAT Components	Explanation	Importance
Experience	The content is based on real-world experiences.	Provide users with practical and applicable information.
Skill	Content creators have in-depth knowledge of the topic.	Provide accurate and reliable information.
Authority	The creator is a recognized and respected resource in the industry.	Improve the reliability of information.
Trust	The website and its content provide accurate and transparent information.	This increases user trust in the website.

Google's quality rating guidelines provide detailed information on how EEA-T is evaluated. These guidelines are used by search quality raters and serve as a guide to determine how well a website adheres to the EEA-T principles. By reviewing these guidelines, you can identify your website's strengths and weaknesses and develop improvement strategies. For example, you can increase credibility by improving your About Us page, adding author biographies, and providing references.

Read: Why EEAT Is Critical for Ranking in Competitive Niches?

How Does Google Evaluate SEO E-A-T?

In the previous section, we explained that SEO E-A-T is not a quantitative factor. You can't analyze and strive for E-A-T the way you calculate the percentage of keywords in an article. This is due to the differences in Google's evaluation tools.

Google uses a software algorithm to determine rankings. However, with E-A-T, Google uses human resources to conduct manual evaluations. These human resources are third-party search engines called Search Quality Raters.

You can analyze and experiment with general ranking factors because you're dealing with robots. Like most robots, everything can be measured numerically. However, with E-A-T, you can't do this because humans work manually.

How Search Quality Raters Work

The Rater's job is to evaluate Google's algorithm for displaying search results. If the Rater finds irrelevant results, incorrect information, or content that doesn't meet E-A-T SEO requirements, it will report it to Google. Google then evaluates the algorithm based on this report.

The next steps are predictable. Google will update its algorithm to remove "unsuitable" content from search results. Furthermore, Google is working to prevent similar errors from occurring in the future.

E-A-T Levels

In Google's search quality rating guidelines, there are guidelines that describe E-A-T at various levels. The ultimate goal is to improve E-A-T as high as possible, but it will take years for any website to reach this highest level.

It's important to remember that most websites won't have low E-A-T, as long as their content is genuinely useful. A website with a low E-A-T level will look spammy, and achieving a high E-A-T level is challenging.

1. Lowest E-A-T Level

Pages with the lowest E-A-T levels tend to look spammy and don't meet good page experience standards. These pages can be considered untrustworthy if they:

They don't provide enough information about the website or its content creator.
They have a poor reputation or E-A-T.
They have a misleading purpose or design.
They block or hide key content.
They are associated with scams, malicious downloads, or other harmful behavior.
Manipulating people for the benefit of another website or organization while harming others.

2. Low E-A-T Level

Google's rating guidelines state that a website can lack E-A-T on a topic despite having a positive reputation elsewhere. This indicates that topical relevance is crucial. Examples include:

The content creator lacks appropriate experience or expertise.
The website or content creator is not considered authoritative or trustworthy for the page's topic.
The page or website is not trustworthy for its purpose.

3. High E-A-T Level

Websites with a high E-A-T level demonstrate experience, expertise, authority, and trustworthiness. These can be found on news websites, government websites, relevant videos, small businesses, and relevant blogs. Their primary goal is to meet user needs with high-quality articles and evidence of knowledge.

4. High E-A-T Level

Websites with a very high E-A-T level provide the best user experience. These pages fulfill search intent with high-quality content and high originality. Standards vary depending on the website's purpose and topic, such as news, artistic content, and information. The primary goal is to provide high-quality, original content. When building E-E-A-T, ensure that your website content is relevant and useful, and reflects your true knowledge and expertise.

Why is EEA-T Increasingly Important?

Google's search algorithm is constantly evolving and aims to provide the best, most reliable, and most relevant results to users. In this context, the EEA-T concepts of Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness in SEO are becoming increasingly important for websites to achieve success in search engine rankings. This is because Google wants to prioritize knowledge-based and trusted sources that best meet users' needs.

One of the main reasons for the increasing importance of EEA-T is its efforts to combat online disinformation. The spread of false or misleading information can lead users to make poor decisions or be harmed. Therefore, Google is taking a stricter approach, especially regarding "Your Money or Your Life" (YMYL) content, which can impact users' health, financial situation, or security. Websites that produce content that adheres to the EEAT principles are considered more trustworthy sources on these sensitive topics and rank higher in search results.

Factor	Explanation	Importance
Information Pollution	The increase in false and misleading information on the internet.	This makes it difficult for users to access accurate information, making the EEA-T important.
YMYL Topics	Issues that affect users' lives, such as health, finances, and security.	Google applies a higher standard to this issue, EEAT is more critical.
Algorithm Update	Continuous improvements to Google's algorithm.	It rewards sites that adhere to the EEAT principles and penalizes others.
User Expectations	User demands for quality and reliable information.	EEAT has a positive impact on site traffic by increasing user satisfaction.

Google's ongoing algorithm updates also increase the importance of EEA-T. The search engine is becoming smarter every day and is better able to assess content quality, author expertise, and website credibility. Therefore, investing in EEAT principles in SEO not only improves search engine rankings but is also a crucial step for long-term success.

Benefits of EEA-T

Improved search engine rankings
Increased website traffic
Gaining user trust
Strengthening brand reputation
Increased conversion rates
Long-term SEO success

EEAT has become an integral part of modern SEO strategies. By implementing these principles, website owners and content creators can meet search engine and user expectations, outperform competitors, and achieve sustained success. A focused approach to EEAT in SEO will also contribute to a more reliable and information-based internet environment.

Things to Consider When Implementing EEAT

EEAT in SEO When implementing this concept, you should aim to gain the trust of not only search engines but also users. There are several key points to consider in this process. First, ensure all information on your website is accurate, up-to-date, and based on trusted sources. Misleading or incomplete information can damage your reputation with users and Google.

To successfully implement the EEA-T, your content must be expert, authoritative, and reliable. You must ensure it complies with relevant health guidelines. For example, if you publish health-related content, it should be written or approved by a doctor or qualified healthcare professional. Otherwise, incorrect or misleading information can lead to health issues, which can damage your website's reputation.

EEAT Elements	Explanation	Recommended
Skill	Content is created by people who have in-depth knowledge and experience on a particular subject.	Create content from experts in the field and add author biographies.
Authority	The person or website creating the content should be well-known and respected in the field.	Mentions, awards and certifications from other authorities in the industry.
Trust	The website and its content are trustworthy and honest.	Transparent contact information, secure payment methods, user reviews.
Experience	The content is based on practical experience and supported by real-life examples.	Include user stories, present case studies, publish product demos.

You should remember that EEAT is not only reflected in the content creation process, but also in the overall structure and functionality of your website. It's important for your website to be clean, easy to navigate, and securely accessible. Furthermore, clearly listing your contact information will make it easy for users to contact you and increase the perception of trust.

Here are some steps to consider when implementing EEAT:

Improve Content Quality: Ensure your content is accurate, up-to-date, comprehensive, and answers user questions.
Demonstrate Expertise: Have your content prepared by experts in the field or include expert opinions.
Prove Your Authority: Get mentioned by other industry authorities and showcase your awards and certifications.
Ensure Reliability: Provide transparent contact information, use secure payment methods, and be open to user feedback.
Share Experiences: Enrich your content by including user stories, case studies, and product demos.
Ensure Website Security: Secure your website and protect user data using an SSL certificate.

Remember that EEA-T is an ongoing process. Because search engine algorithms are constantly changing, you need to regularly review and update your website and content. This way, you can maintain your reputation with both users and Google. English: Your keyword research can maintain your success.

Website Optimization Tips for EEAT in SEO

Your website's EEAT in SEO Improving your adherence to its principles can help you improve your Google rankings and gain user trust. In this section, we'll focus on practical strategies you can implement to improve your EEA-T. Remember, EEAT isn't just a ranking factor; it's a set of factors that directly impact your website's user experience and reputation.

Strategy	Explanation	Important Level
Improving Content Quality	Create content that is informative, accurate, and up-to-date.	High
Highlighting Your Areas of Expertise	Demonstrate your expertise in your content and cite your sources.	High
Ensuring Reliability	Be transparent, state your contact information clearly, and use an SSL certificate.	High
Improve User Experience	Make sure your website is fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate.	Medium

Your website's EEAT in SEO: There are several ways to improve your compliance with these principles. These methods focus on improving content quality and user experience. Here are some basic tips for improving it:

1. Tips for Recovery

Update and refresh your content regularly.
Cite your references and sources clearly.
Allow user feedback and feedback.
Optimize your website speed.
Ensure mobile compatibility.
Always keep your security certificate (SSL) up to date.

Improving your EEAT not only creates value for search engines but also for your visitors. By providing reliable, high-quality content, you can encourage users to stay on your website longer and return again.

2. Content Quality

Content quality is the cornerstone of EEAT. Your content should be accurate, up-to-date, informative, and responsive to user inquiries. Also, ensure your content is written or reviewed by experts in your field. If you make claims in your content, support them with credible sources.

3. User Experience

User experience (UX) is another important factor that directly impacts your website's EEAT score. Your website should be user-friendly, fast-loading, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate. Users should be able to easily find the information they're looking for and have no difficulty navigating your website. Remember, a positive user experience encourages users to stay on your website longer and return again.

The Relationship Between EEAT and Algorithm Updates

Google's search algorithm is constantly updated to ensure users receive the most relevant and reliable results. These updates are based on the following principles: EEAT in SEO: (Experience, Expertise, Competence, Trustworthiness). Google evaluates EEAT signals to gauge a website's quality and reliability, and these assessments directly impact search rankings. Therefore, a website's adherence to EEAT principles is crucial to a successful SEO strategy.

Algorithm updates are especially important for websites that address critical issues such as user health, finances, or safety, known as YMYL (Your Money or Your Life). Compliance with EEAT principles becomes even more important on these sites, as false or misleading information can have serious consequences. Google regulates these sites more strictly and evaluates EEAT signals more rigorously.

1. EEAT Interaction and Algorithm Updates

Algorithm Update	Impact on the EEA-T	Types of Websites
Medical Update	EEA-T health site comes to the fore.	Health, Medicine
BERT Update	The quality of content and contextual meaning have become important.	News, Blog, Education
Core Update	The overall EEAT assessment has been expanded.	E-commerce, Finance, Law
Spam Update	Removal of low-quality content and spam has been accelerated.	All websites

Focusing on EEAT principles not only helps websites achieve better search engine rankings but also helps earn user trust and strengthen brand reputation. Being perceived as a reliable, competent, and experienced resource is crucial for long-term success. This is where implementing a proper EEAT strategy allows websites to achieve sustainable growth.

2. Key Update Features

Google algorithm updates typically have a specific focus. For example, some updates aim to improve content quality, while others focus on identifying spam content or manipulative links. The overall goal of these updates is to improve user experience and provide the most relevant results. Therefore, it is important for website owners to understand how the algorithm works and optimize their sites accordingly.

3. Update Effects

Search ranking fluctuations
Changes in organic traffic flow
Increase or decrease in website reputation
Differences in user engagement
Changes in conversion rates
Interactions in brand awareness

It is important to remember that algorithm updates are not just technical issues; they also represent an ethical responsibility. Providing accurate and reliable information to users, demonstrating honesty, and being transparent are the foundation of a website's long-term success. Therefore, adhering to the EEAT principles means creating value not only for search engines but also for users.

Recommendations for Businesses to Achieve EEA-T

EEAT in SEO: Ensuring adherence to these principles is crucial for businesses to rank higher in search engines and gain user trust. Therefore, businesses should take EEA-T seriously and optimize their websites and content. Here are some key recommendations for businesses to ensure EEA-T compliance.

The first step for businesses is to establish themselves as an authority figure. This can be achieved by staying up-to-date on industry innovations, conducting research, and producing valuable, original content. Collaborating and interacting with other key players in the industry will also help boost your credibility.

Element	Explanation	Important Level
Areas of expertise	Have in-depth knowledge and skills on a particular subject.	High
Experience	Practical knowledge and experience in your field.	High
Authority	Become a recognized and respected resource in your industry.	High
Reliability	To provide accurate, honest and transparent information.	Very High

Step-by-Step Recommendations

Ensure Your Website Security: Ensure your site runs over HTTPS by using an SSL certificate.
Clearly state your contact information: Post your company address, phone number, and email address on your website in an easy-to-find location.
Use Author Biographies: Create detailed biographies of your content authors that highlight their expertise and experience.
Add References and Sources: Cite credible sources and references to support the information in your content.
Respond to User Comments and Feedback: Increase engagement and build trust by actively responding to your users' comments and feedback.
Prioritize Transparency: Clearly state your business values, mission, and ethics.

It's also important to provide accurate and up-to-date information on your website. Inaccurate or incomplete information can cause you to lose user trust. Therefore, review and update your content regularly. It's also important to develop an effective customer service strategy to answer user questions and assist them.

Focus on user experience improvement. Ensure your website is user-friendly, easy to navigate, and displays well on mobile devices. Fast loading times and intuitive design will encourage users to stay on your site longer and engage with your content. Websites that adhere to these principles will be perceived as valuable by both users and search engines.

Examples of Sites That Successfully Implement EEAT

EEAT in SEO Websites that successfully implement these principles generally aim to provide high-quality, trustworthy, and credible information to users. These sites achieve higher search engine rankings and long-term success by building user trust. Sites that successfully implement EEA-T are typically resources that specialize in a specific niche and offer in-depth information in that area.

Web situs	EEAT Application Areas	Highlight
Klinik Mayo	Health Information	Articles written by expert doctors, based on scientific evidence, detailed medical guides.
Wikipedia	Encyclopedic Information	Comprehensive, edited by many volunteer experts, meticulously referenced.
Investopedia	Financial Information	Compiled by financial experts, the latest market analysis and a comprehensive glossary of financial terms.
Pine Tree Eat	Recipe	Recipes tested by professional chefs, detailed instructions, user reviews and ratings.

These sites use various methods to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their content. For example, a health website might have content written and approved by doctors and healthcare professionals, while a finance website might have content written by financial experts and updated regularly. These practices increase the site's authority and credibility, which contributes to higher search engine rankings.

Example Sites and Their Features

Mayo Clinic: Provides evidence-based medical information written by healthcare experts.
Wikipedia: Contains comprehensive encyclopedic information edited by volunteer experts and carefully cited sources.
Investopedia: Provides up-to-date market analysis and a glossary of financial terms prepared by financial experts.
The Pine Tree Eats: This site offers recipes tested by professional chefs, including detailed preparation steps.
Nolo: Provides clear and practical legal information written by legal experts.

Another key aspect of successful EEAT implementation is user experience. These sites have user-friendly designs to ensure users can easily access the information they are looking for. They also utilize various media elements, such as images, videos, and infographics, to improve content readability. By encouraging users to spend more time on the site and interact with the content, they increase the site's value.

EEAT in SEO Sites that implement these principles focus on continuous improvement and innovation. This is achieved by regularly updating content, considering user feedback, and utilizing new technologies. This allows them to continually meet search engine expectations and consistently provide the best user experience.

Types of Content That Support EEA-T

EEAT in SEO The concept of Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (EEA-T) refers to a set of important criteria that Google considers when evaluating websites. Creating content that meets these criteria is crucial for improving search engine rankings and gaining user trust. The types of content that support EEA-T aim to improve the user experience by providing informative and trustworthy resources.

When creating content, understanding the needs and expectations of your target audience is crucial. This means creating content that answers their questions, solves their problems, and captures their attention. A content strategy focused on EEAT aims to deliver content that is valuable and meaningful, not only to search engines but also to users.

Content Type	Explanation	EEAT Value
Expert Articles	Articles containing in-depth analysis written by experts in the field.	High Skill, High Authority
Case study	Studies that provide concrete results and are supported by real-world examples.	High Experience, High Reliability
Reviews and Comparisons	Detailed reviews and comparisons of products or services.	High Experience, High Reliability
Interview	Interviews with famous people in their fields, sharing knowledge and experience.	High Skill, High Authority

Content types that support EEA-T help increase your website's credibility and authority. This improves search engine rankings and user trust in your site. Here are some types of content you can use to strengthen EEA-T:

1. Recommended Content Types

Original Data Research and Analysis
Comprehensive Guides and Training Materials
Industry Trends and Forecasts
Expert Opinions and Panels
User Testing and Feedback
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Remember, EEAT isn't just about content creation; it's also about the overall structure and user experience of your website. Therefore, you need to ensure that every detail, from site design and speed to security, adheres to EEAT principles.

2. Effective Content Types

Effective content types are those that satisfy user search intent and provide added value. This type of content typically provides in-depth information, suggests solutions to problems, and includes engaging details that capture users' attention. For example, a practical guide can help users successfully complete a task, supported by step-by-step instructions and visuals.

When creating content that supports EEA-T, it's important to keep the following in mind: verify the accuracy of your content, cite reliable sources, and demonstrate your expertise. Also, ensure your content is user-friendly and easy to understand. The following quote highlights the importance of creating effective content:

Quality content is the cornerstone of search engine optimization (SEO). Creating content that adheres to the EEAT principles is the most effective way to create value for both search engines and users.

Regularly review and update your content to ensure it is current and accurate. This will help maintain the credibility and authority of your website. EEAT in SEO Creating content that adheres to the principles is an important investment in the long-term success of your website.

Tools for EEAT Assessment

EEAT in SEO There are various tools you can use to assess and improve your website's credibility (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). These tools can help you identify your website's strengths and weaknesses, improve content quality, and enhance your overall SEO performance. As EEAT assessment becomes increasingly important among Google's ranking factors, using these tools effectively is crucial.

The tools you can use for EEAT assessments generally fall into several categories. These include content analysis tools, backlink analysis tools, reputation management tools, and user feedback tools. Each type of tool allows you to analyze and improve different aspects of your website. For example, content analysis tools help you assess the completeness, accuracy, and currency of your content, while backlink analysis tools allow you to measure the quality and authority of inbound links to your website.

Assessment Tools

Google Search Console: This is used to monitor your website's performance in Google search results and to detect and fix errors.
SEMrush: This is a comprehensive tool for various SEO tasks such as keyword research, competitor analysis, site audits, and backlink analysis.
Ahrefs: This is a popular tool for backlink analysis, keyword research, and content research.
MozPro: Offers features such as keyword tracking, site audits, and backlink analysis.
BuzzSumo: This is used to identify content trends, find influencers, and analyze social media performance.
Google Analytics: This is an essential tool for tracking your website traffic, user behavior, and conversions.

The table below shows some of the main tools you can use for EEAT assessment and the EEAT elements they focus on. With these tools, you can continuously monitor and improve your website's EEAT performance. This will help your website appear more trustworthy and authoritative in the eyes of Google and rank higher in search results.

EEAT assessment isn't limited to tools. User feedback, customer reviews, and reputation management are also important components of EEAT. Regularly monitoring comments and feedback about your website and responding to negative feedback quickly and effectively can strengthen your EEAT profile. Remember, EEAT is an ongoing process and needs to be monitored and improved regularly.

Read: How Does Semantic Search Impact SEO?

Conclusion

EEAT in SEO: The concepts of Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness are a set of core criteria that Google considers when evaluating websites. These criteria aim to ensure users access high-quality and reliable information. Taking steps in accordance with EEAT principles is crucial for improving your website's SEO performance and achieving higher rankings on Google.

Improving EEAT not only improves search engine rankings but also increases user trust in your website. When users receive information from trusted and expert sources, they engage with your website longer, increasing conversion rates and building brand loyalty. Therefore, investing in EEAT is a long-term strategic approach.

Components	Improvement	Strategy Explanation
Experience	Practical experience of the content writer or website on the topic.	Share personal experiences, publish case studies, include user reviews.
Skill	The content or website writer has in-depth knowledge of the topic.	Create content that demonstrates your competence in your field, includes expert opinions, and showcases your certifications.
Authority	The website or its creator is considered a well-known and respected source in the industry.	Mention other industry authorities, get links, speak at conferences, show off your awards.
Trust	The website and its content are accurate, transparent and reliable.	Use an SSL certificate, create a privacy policy and terms of use page, clearly state your contact information, and manage user comments.

Here are steps you can take to improve your EEA-T:

Improve Content Quality: Create accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive content.
Showcase Your Expertise: Showcase your knowledge and experience in your field.
Build Your Authority: Interact with other industry experts and increase your exposure.
Ensure Reliability: Be transparent and honest, protect user data, and build a trustworthy reputation.
Improve User Experience: Ensure your website is user-friendly, fast, and accessible.
Evaluate Feedback: Consider user comments and feedback and make continuous improvements.

Remember, EEAT in SEO is an ongoing process. By regularly evaluating your website and content, making improvements, and focusing on user needs, you can achieve higher rankings in Google and achieve long-term success.

SEO and E-E-A-T: Google’s Standard for High-Quality Content