Understand EAT SEO and its Impact on Google Rankings

Do you know when Google EAT came in 2014, it impacted numerous websites, causing a dip in their SERP rankings? This is what the term ‘EAT SEO’ alludes to. 

But, surprisingly, some websites managed to thrive post the EAT update, illustrating how if you ‘EAT Google’s algorithms’ the right way, you can emerge stronger.

Half of all businesses today are in a similar predicament, grappling with a powerful but often misunderstood hero of SEO, known as E.A.T – Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness. When one asks, ‘What is EAT?’ It’s this triad that we’re referring to.

If these EAT factors seem like a complex, hard-to-grasp concept, don’t worry! I am here to simplify it all. I am here to clarify ‘what Eat stands for’ and demonstrate how this influential trio can boost your website’s visibility on Google.

So, stick with us as we dive headfirst into the captivating world of Google EAT, discussing the transformative role it plays in your Google rankings.

What Exactly is EAT?

If I were to explain EAT SEO in very simple words… I would say, it is some major tweaks in Google’s algorithm to make the SERP results more user-oriented. 

Google itself says it is “Very Important” 

It measures your website in 3 aspects: Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.

EAT SEO is a ranking factor of Google’s algorithm which is mentioned in Google’s search quality evaluator guidelines. 

So, if you’re creating content, aim to showcase your deep knowledge regarding EAT SEO, earn recognition, and build trust with your audience. If you can do that, Google might just give you a high five with better rankings!

Read More: What Is Google E.A.T SEO And How To Perform It?

Unveiling the Power of E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust!

Now, let’s dive into the four components of Google E-E-A-T cut across your content.

Experience

Imagine you’re at a new restaurant in town. You’ve heard rave reviews and your expectations are sky-high. You walk in, and the decor is impressive, but when the server comes to take your order, they have no idea what’s on the menu, let alone what to recommend. Disappointing, right? This is where ‘Experience’ comes into play in the EEAT framework.

Experience is not only about what you do; it’s about how well you do it. Just like that server, if your website doesn’t offer the expertise, ease of use, and a sense of comfort to its visitors, they’re likely to leave, never to return.

Experience in the concept of EEAT is to create a website that provides high-quality content they can use, and easily navigate. It’s about knowing your audience’s needs and expectations, then delivering on those in a seamless and effective manner.

You can take your example too… As a user, even you also want to take knowledge from an experienced or knowledgeable person.

Here I have a few ways with the help of which you can show your experience;

• Use Case Studies: Case studies or customer stories will show your real-world examples of how your services and product have helped others. These can showcase your expertise and the practical application of your knowledge. 

• Share Personal Experiences: If you have first-hand experience related to the topic you’re writing about, share it. This can help build a connection with your readers, as well as lend credibility and authenticity to your content.

• Present In-Depth Research: Quality content is always driven through research. You should have information-baked data, which demonstrates that you have a deep understanding of the subject.

• Provide Step-by-Step Guides: It’s not only to show your knowledge about the content but also to make your user understand it in a chronological way as well.

• Content Curation: By collating high-quality resources from other experts, you’re providing additional value to your readers. This shows your commitment to providing a comprehensive understanding of the topic.

And make sure one thing, ‘experience’ isn’t about what you know, it’s also about how you present it. Your content is user-friendly, well-organized, and easy to understand.

Expertise 

Your expertise will tell the users how well or master you are in a particular field. It all means that you should have proper skills and knowledge about the specified field.

Google wants to deliver valuable and reliable content to its users, and websites that showcase expertise are more likely to be rewarded with higher rankings.

One can illustrate their expertise in a particular field by providing these pieces of information:

• Providing High-Quality Content: It indicates your knowledge in your specified field. The content should be well-researched, accurate, and detailed, and offer valuable insights or solutions to the user.

• Your Credentials: They play an important role in your content, especially in YMYL(Your Money Your Life) topics. If you’re a certified expert or professional in your field, then make this clear on your website or in your content.

• Regular Updates: It will make your content more reliable and attractive. This shows that you’re actively participating and researching in your field to maintain your expertise.

• External Validation: When other reputable websites in your industry link back to your content, it signals to Google that your website is a trusted source of information.

• Expertise In Your Niche: It’s essential to focus on your niche and illustrate your expertise within that specific area. As a user, you always want information with the most relevant and knowledgeable sources for your queries, so being an expert in a particular field can help you stand out.

If you’re doing these measures in your field, then it means you’re an expert in your field.

Authority 

It stands for the fame of an author, website, or content in the respective topic area.

When someone sees an individual or website go to source information about a topic, then it’s authority.

When your website is perceived as an authoritative source, it is more likely to rank higher, gaining visibility and attracting more visitors.

You should implement these things to show your authoritativeness in your field:

• Establish Yourself As A Respected Expert: This could be done by earning recognition from other industry leaders or renowned websites. Backlinks, mentions, reviews, or endorsements all can help you in building your authority.

• A Strong Online Reputation Should Be Developed: Interact with your users, respond to their comments and questions, have a relevant discussion with them on forums or social media, etc.

• Showcasing Expertise: Ensure that your content is linked to a prestigious author profile. By establishing this connection, you can capture your audience with a great sense of trust.

• Consistency and Quality: Consistently producing high-quality content is crucial to maintaining authoritativeness. Engaging and informative posts that address users’ needs will reinforce your reputation as a reliable source of information.

• Backlinks and Citations: When other reputable websites link back to your content is a significant signal of authoritativeness to Google. Seek opportunities to collaborate or guest post on trusted websites within your industry to earn valuable backlinks.

In the world of Google rankings, authoritativeness holds tremendous power.

By providing reliable information, earning backlinks from trusted sources, cultivating a positive reputation, showcasing expertise, and consistently delivering high-quality content, your website can climb the ranks and gain more visibility. 

Trustworthiness 

Trust is all about the rightness, transparency, and accuracy of the website and its content.

Your reader will always look for a number of things to evaluate trustworthiness, including whether the website state who is responsible for published content.

When your website is perceived as trustworthy, it gains credibility, leading to higher search rankings and increased visibility.

Trustworthiness is very important for YMYL queries but applies to non-YMYL queries too.

Ymyl websites always demand a high degree of trust, so they need satisfying information.

Your user will always take into account content accuracy.

Here are key insights into how trustworthiness impacts Google rankings:

• Transparent About Your Identity: To build trust, you should be open and transparent about your website’s identity, purpose, and the people behind it. Give clear information about your organization, including contact details and an “About Us” page that highlights your mission and values.

• Secure Website: A secure website will always establish trust among your users. Make sure your website has an SSL certificate, as indicated by the “https://” in the URL.  

• Reputable Sources and Citations: Cite reputable sources and provide references to back up your claims. This demonstrates that your content is well-grounded in reliable information, further enhancing your website’s trustworthiness.

• Customer Reviews and Testimonials: Positive customer reviews and testimonials can significantly impact your website’s trustworthiness. Encourage satisfied customers to share their experiences, and respond

What is YMYL?

The concept of YMYL(Your Money Your Life) plays a crucial role in determining Google rankings. The contents of YMYL contents will directly impact on person’s financial, physical, or emotional well-being.

Ymyl includes topics such as medical advice, financial guidance, legal information, and safety tips.

Google’s higher emphasis on the EAT SEO factor for the YMYL content.

E-E-A-T plays an important role in YMYL SEO because misinformation on such topic could cause harm to your website in the following way:

• The person viewing the content

• Others are influenced by the person who is viewing the content

• Group of people affected by the actions of those who viewed the content

It means that for a website dealing with such topics, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness are vital.

Let’s check some examples of YMYL topics:

• Clear YMYL topics: when to go to an emergency room, purchasing prescription drugs, educational information, current events, nutrition, and diet

• Maybe YMYL topics: a review of a type of car, a hot sauce challenge, personal opinion about why an exercise is important, new about a bike accident

• Unlikely YMYL topic: purchasing a ball, a music video, news about local high school cricket game, how frequently to wash clothes

There are plenty of other YMYL topics. But Google will rank only those who have the highest level of E-E-A-T.

Is E-A-T a Ranking Factor?

When it comes to achieving higher rankings on Google, website owners and content creators usually wonder about the significance of EAT SEO – Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. 

Many people wonder whether E-A-T(Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) is a direct ranking factor in Google’s algorithms. 

The answer is yes, EAT SEO is indeed a ranking factor in Google’s search algorithm. While Google uses a complex set of criteria to determine rankings, EAT plays a vital role in ensuring that users receive reliable and valuable content.

But it is not a direct ranking factor,…… its importance cannot be overlooked in Google’s algorithms. By focusing on expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness, you can improve your website’s overall quality, enhance user experience, and potentially achieve better rankings. 

Remember to provide high-quality, well-researched content from authoritative sources to establish your EAT SEO and enhance your chances of ranking well in search engine results.

How To Get Benefit From Eat SEO Algorithm?

1. Generate High-Quality Content

In the realm of SEO, creating high-quality content is not only essential for engaging readers but also crucial for understanding the impact of EAT SEO (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) on Google ranking.

Here I have some tips to improve the quality of your content:

• Thoroughly research your topic: Before diving into writing, conduct in-depth research on the topic. Familiarize yourself with the latest industry trends, best practices, and algorithm updates. This will help you create content that is current, accurate, and valuable to your readers.

• Include internal and external links: Include both internal links (links to other relevant pages within your website) and external links (links to authoritative sources) throughout your content. Internal linking improves the user experience and encourages visitors to explore more of your website. External links to reputable sources help establish credibility and enhance the quality of your content.

• Incorporate relevant keywords: Conduct keyword research to identify relevant keywords and phrases related to your topic. Integrate these keywords naturally throughout your content.

• Use visuals effectively: Incorporate relevant images, charts, graphs, or infographics to enhance the visual appeal and comprehension of your content. Visuals can help break up text, illustrate concepts, and make complex information more digestible for readers.

• Structure your content: Organize your content into logical sections using headings, subheadings, and bullet points. This makes it easier for readers to scan the content and find the information they are looking for. Additionally, search engines prefer well-structured content, which can positively impact your ranking.

2. Tell Visitors Who Are You

All three pillars of the EAT SEO guidelines indicate that Google wants to know who creates content(which means the author) and whether that person/ website is an approved source for that knowledge.

If you haven’t yet crafted an about us or a team page that introduces the amazing individual behind our content creation, now is an auspicious moment to do so.

Author pages are a simple way to show your team’s Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.
Here, I’m gonna show you how I did AUHTOR’S BIO…….

3. Build Suitable Backlinks

Securing backlinks from reputable websites is a vital component of your Eat SEO strategy. Plus, it can show that your business is an authority in an industry.

These links act as a vote of confidence from other web pages, indicating that your content is valuable and worth referencing. 

In an example below, google folks backlink on our website:

You’d probably be more likely to trust a brand recommended by a friend. 

The other great part about backlinks? They are a crucial part of any Eat SEO strategy. In a general way, the more high-quality backlinks you earn, the better your Google search ranking.

Here are a few things that you can do to optimize with link-building in mind:

• Publish original research that people might want to specify

• Create helpful how guides for topics in your niche 

• Share visual data on social media

 Always include links to your articles 

4. Keep Content Correct And Up To Date

Providing accurate and up-to-date content is not only essential for providing value to your audience but also crucial for improving your Google ranking.

Now, we’ll delve into the importance of keeping your content correct and up to date, and how it can positively impact your website’s visibility and search engine optimization (SEO) performance.

• Establishing Credibility: google values trustworthy and reliable sources of information. By keeping your content up to date establish an authoritative figure in your industry. This improves both your reputation and your chance of earning quality backlinks.

• Providing value to users: Users appreciate accurate content that addresses their queries, solves their problems, or provides valuable insights. By continuously updating your content, you demonstrate your commitment to delivering high-quality information, which can lead to increased user engagement and repeat visits.

Adding Fresh Insights and Perspectives: Updating your content provides an opportunity to add fresh insights, new research findings, or recent industry trends. It increases the relevance and value of your website. This can attract more visitors, encourage social sharing, and contribute to improved search engine visibility.

5. Show Your Expertise 

Google isn’t satisfied with merely good content; it craves content from individuals who truly know their stuff. In the vast digital realm, where information is abundant and sometimes unreliable, Google aims to provide its users with the most accurate and valuable results.

That’s why it prioritizes content created by credible experts who have a deep understanding of their subject matter. By establishing yourself as a trusted authority who genuinely knows what they’re talking about, you can make a significant impact on your website’s visibility and overall ranking in Google’s search results. 

Here you can see my example, which shows that I pined my bio link in this blog.

Which shows my expertise in SEO. At the end of every blog, I always put my bio to show my expertise.

6. Make The Purpose Of Your Content Clear

What is the purpose of your content?

The point of your content is to effectively communicate valuable information and insights to your target audience. It serves to educate, inspire, inform, or engage readers, addressing their specific needs and interests.

Why is Clarity Important?

• User Understanding: Clear and straightforward content helps users easily grasp the main message you want to convey. When visitors understand your content, they are more likely to engage with it, stay on your website longer, and come back for more.

• Establishing Trust: A clear purpose builds trust with your audience. Users appreciate websites that provide valuable and transparent information.

• Addressing User Intent: Search engines aim to provide the most relevant results for users’ queries. When your content purpose aligns with what users are looking for, Google is more likely to recognize its value and rank it higher in search results.

Ultimately, the point of your content is to provide value and achieve your desired goals, whether it’s driving traffic, generating leads, or fostering brand loyalty.

7. Check The Facts

Search engine optimization(SEO) plays a vital role in ensuring a website’s visibility and success.

Here are some points through which you can check the facts:

• Stay Up-to-Date: Stay informed about the latest findings and guidelines to provide your audience with the most accurate and current information. Regularly review and update your content to reflect any changes or advancements in the field.

• Verify Information from Credible Sources: When writing a blog you should rely on reputable sources such as scientific studies, registered experts, and trusted organizations. Ensure that the information you present is supported by reliable sources and cross-checked for accuracy.

• Engage with Experts: Consider involving experts. Their expertise can help ensure accuracy and provide valuable insights that resonate with your audience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding EAT  SEO (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) and its impact on Google ranking is essential for website owners and content creators. By focusing on these factors, you can improve your website’s visibility and credibility. 

Ensure that your content is backed by reliable sources and accurately reflects the expertise in your field.

Remember, optimizing your website for EAT involves providing valuable content, demonstrating expertise, building authority, and cultivating trust with your audience and search engines.
If your website has been hit by the EAT algorithm, or if you wish to enhance your Google rankings through EAT, you can freely book a 30-minute strategy session. In this session, one of my SEO experts would discuss your website performance and how it can be improved further.

FAQs

1. How can I improve my website’s EAT SEO?

Enhance EAT SEO by producing high-quality content that showcases your expertise. Cite reputable sources, get high authority backlinks, build a positive reputation, and ensure your site’s technical security.

2. Can EAT SEO impact my local business rankings?

Yes. EAT impacts all content rankings, including local. Strong EAT signals can help your local business rank higher in localized search results.

These questions and answers should provide a good basis for your blog on EAT SEO. Let me know if you need anything else.

3. How does Google evaluate EAT?

Google employs Quality Raters, who follow Google’s Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines. These guidelines emphasize EAT, and Raters assess content accordingly.

4. Why is EAT SEO important for my website’s Google ranking?

EAT SEO is crucial as Google uses these principles to rank your content. High EAT scores can improve your visibility on Google. It shows that your content is reliable and valuable, leading to higher rankings.

5. Is EAT more important for certain industries?

EAT is essential for all industries, but even more so for YMYL subjects, like finance or health, where misinformation could lead to serious consequences.