The December 2022 helpful content update has been released, which improves our classifier and works across all content globally in all languages. The rollout may take up to two weeks to complete.

What is Google Helpful Content

Google Search’s helpful content system generates a signal that our automated ranking systems use to improve the visibility of original, helpful content written by people for people in search results. This page describes how the system works and how you can evaluate and improve your content.

The Dec. 2022 helpful content update was released Dec. 5, starting to become more visible today & will take about two weeks to fully roll out. It improves our classifier & works across content globally in all languages. Our help page explains more:

We are hoping it will help to increase the visibility of the content. We know many websites with duplicated content for years with no penalty. So, will it be beneficial for those contents?

This update to the helpful content system may include new signals or changes to previous signals in addition to expanding to all languages. Google does not provide specific information.

With each algorithm update, there is an opportunity to recover from the previous one. If Google’s helpful content system hits your website in August and you’ve worked to improve it, your rankings may improve.

On the other hand, algorithm updates can have negative consequences. If the August rollout had a positive or no impact on you, that could change with the December 2022 update.

Learn About Helpful Content

What is Helpful Content

Helpful content is content that provides real value to your audience. It’s not just promotional or self-serving – it helps your audience solve a problem or meet a need. For example, a helpful blog post might answer a frequently asked question, provide step-by-step instructions for completing a task, or offer solutions to common problems. Helpful content is also often educational and informative rather than just entertaining. The goal is to provide something that will somehow improve your audience’s lives.

There are several reasons why helpful content is important for search engine rankings. First, it helps establish your brand as an authority on the topic. Search engines like Google look for credible and trustworthy content, and that’s what you’re providing with helpful content. Second, when people find your content helpful, they’re more likely to share it with others, which helps boost your ranking through social signals. Finally, helpful content tends to be more in-depth and comprehensive, which helps you rank for long-tail keywords and attract more organic traffic. It’s worth investing time and effort into creating helpful content!

Yes, helpful and high-quality content is essential for Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Search engines like Google aim to provide the best possible results for users’ queries, which means they prioritize relevant, informative, and valuable content to the audience. Here are some reasons why helpful content is crucial for SEO:

1. Improved User Experience: When your content addresses users’ needs and provides valuable information, it enhances the overall user experience. This leads to longer on-page time, lower bounce rates, and higher engagement, all of which are positive signals for search engines.
2. Higher Search Engine Rankings: Well-crafted and helpful content is more likely to receive backlinks and social shares from other websites, which can boost your website’s authority and trust in the eyes of search engines. High-quality backlinks are a significant ranking factor for SEO.
3. Targeted Keywords: Creating useful content often involves using relevant keywords naturally. When users search for those keywords, your content is more likely to appear in search results if it provides value and meets their needs.
4. Earning Featured Snippets: Helpful content has a better chance of being featured in Google’s featured snippets. These snippets appear at the top of the search results and can significantly increase your visibility and traffic.
5. Long-Tail Keywords: Valuable content often addresses specific topics, which can help you target long-tail keywords. Long-tail keywords may have lower search volumes but are typically less competitive, making it easier for your content to rank well.
6. Reduced Bounce Rate: If your content is relevant and useful, visitors are likelier to stay on your site and explore further. This reduces the bounce rate, another positive signal for search engines.
7. Higher Social Media Engagement: Valuable content tends to get shared more on social media platforms. Search engines consider social signals, and content that generates engagement is likely to impact your SEO efforts positively.

Remember, SEO is not just about stuffing keywords into your content. The focus should always be on creating content that genuinely helps and provides value to your target audience. By doing so, you are improving your chances of ranking well in search engines and building a loyal and engaged audience for the long term.