The Importance Of EEAT And Why Google Wants It
What makes your website any different from your competitors?
I ask that question a lot. Far too often, I am met with an expression that reminds me of how a cow looks at a passing train.
It’s time to hone in on EEAT – Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust. It is becoming increasingly important to carry out this approach so that Google can recognize your site as a knowledge leader within its niche.
Today, we’ll explore what each term means and the best ways for incorporating them into a strategy to show Google that you are indeed an expert on the topics covered by your pages. The end result will be more traffic to your website, which means more customers which means more profit!
So let’s dive right in and help build up your digital brand with EEAT.
What is EEAT and Why Does Google Care About It
It stands for Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust, and it’s become a major priority for Google.
Basically, when you search for something on Google, the search engine wants to make sure that the website directs you to a reliable source of information. EEAT is one way that they evaluate that. Essentially, they want to know that the content they’re showing you comes from credible sources who know what they’re talking about.
So if you’re running a website, it’s definitely worth making sure that your content reflects those qualities because it could mean the difference between being at the top of search results or buried on page 10.
Experience:
The first component of EEAT is Experience. Google actually cares if you know what you’re talking about. They want the content creators and website owners to have some real-life experience in the topic they’re publishing about. That way, you can provide valuable insights and accurate information.
It’s important to have knowledgeable writers who can write compelling pieces and have expertise in your industry. If they’ve been doing this for a while, even better! Google wants to see evidence of that experience before they give your content the thumbs up. So, make sure you’re not just throwing words on a page – show that you know your stuff!
Expertise:
The second part of EEAT is all about expertise. In the same way that you would trust someone who is an expert in their field, so to do you need to present yourself and your business as someone who is knowledgable and has the right skills and know-how to give commentary on a certain topic or answer certain questions.
Make sure that you use reliable sources, cite studies relevant to your commentary, and then share a few of your own life and business experiences that will relate to your audience. If you do, you’ll very quickly build trust which is a key component of EEAT.
Authority:
The A in EEAT is authority. When considering your EEAT, you need to be seen as a leader in your industry or field. Consider how to showcase this through awards, being recognized by industry leaders, and credentials.
It’s not only about what’s on your website though. One key way to improve your authority is through a process called backlinking. This is where your website is linked and referenced on other websites which have a high domain authority. It’s like a celebrity endorsing your products, which in this case is your business.
If you get this right, you’ll very quickly stand out from the rest.
Trustworthiness:
Just as trust is important in our relationships, your website needs to reflect trustworthiness as well. This is another important component of the EEAT score. It’s critical that you present yourself and your business in a credible and trustworthy manner. You have to be able to back up your claims by proving evidence. What sources are you linking to? How are you proving your credibility? One thing to steer clear of here is click-baiting. That will land you in a world of SEO trouble.
How Does the EEAT Score Work?
When it comes to the EEAT score, Google uses a set of complex algorithms to take a look at your site’s performance. There are a number of factors at play here.
Here are a few of those factors:
- How often are other websites linking back to yours?
- What is the quality and relevance of your content?
- Are you posting and updating content frequently?
- Are you following industry standards when it comes to accuracy and trustworthiness?
- How often are you interacting with your customers online?
All of these factors influence your EEAT score. The end result is how high, or low, your website will rank in Google. And, we all know the importance of ranking high in Google’s search results. It’s the holy grail of the search world.
How Does EEAT Affect SEO?
Immensely! Your website’s reliability and credibility are major factors that are used in search engines to rank your website on search results pages.
If you get the EEAT balance right, your site will be flying in the Google space, coming across as factual, trustworthy, and of high quality. You’ll end up ranking your website higher on these search results which means that more people will see you, which means more business.
If you don’t, you’ll risk dropping down the SEO rankings and being overtaken by your competitors who are placing a great deal of focus in this area. It’s really not complicated to improve your SEO and EEAT score if you have the right partner of course.
Tips To Help You Make Sure Your Site Is Optimized for EEAT
There are many things that you can do to improve your EEAT, if you know what to do of course.
One key factor is your website’s structure and how it’s organized. You have to consider easy navigation and having headings and subheadings which are clear. You also have to consider alt text for all your visuals and make sure that the copy on your website is clear and simple to understand.
Also, being mobile-friendly is key, as is a fast loading time. You don’t want to push away prospective customers before they have even started exploring.
Here are a few other ways you can improve your EEAT:
Building High-Quality Backlinks
One way to improve your website’s ranking on search engines is by building high-quality backlinks
Backlinks are like little arrows pointed toward your site, showing search engines that other sites trust and value your content. However, it’s not just about quantity – the quality of those backlinks matters too. Don’t just slap any old link onto your site, focus on building relationships with other trustworthy and authoritative websites.
Keep your content fresh and relevant!
This means regularly reviewing and updating your content to meet the constantly evolving needs and preferences of your audience. It’s important to ensure that your content is informative, engaging, and aligned with your overall goals.
To achieve this, start by reading through your existing content and identifying areas that may need updating or reworking. Consider conducting surveys or analyzing data to better understand what your users are looking for, and don’t forget to keep an eye on what your peers and competitors are doing. Sometimes the best ideas come from borrowing and adapting existing practices to make them work for your brand and your audience. So, keep your content game strong by staying on top of your updates!
Showcase Positive User Reviews & Testimonials
One of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your EEAT is by showcasing positive user reviews and testimonials. Why are these so important, you may ask? They work as powerful tools to build your reputation and credibility online. Just like you, when searching for a product or service, most people turn to customer reviews before making a decision.
By highlighting your customers’ favorable experiences with your brand, you’re not only gaining their trust but you’re also providing social proof to your potential customers. After all, who wouldn’t want to choose a brand that has already delivered excellent results to others? So, don’t keep those rave reviews hidden – show them off on your website and social media pages. With this simple addition, you can transform your brand’s image and stand out from the competition.
Improve Your EEAT by Collaborating with Experts
One tip to consider is collaborating with experts in your industry. Don’t be afraid to invite guest writers to contribute to your blog with their valuable insights and knowledge.
By teaming up with reputable individuals, you can boost your own credibility and EEAT score. Plus, your website visitors will appreciate the fresh, relevant content!
Include Author & Business Credentials
Did you know that including the author’s business credentials can give their work a major boost in the trust department?
Clearly, readers and publishers alike are more willing to trust the words of an author who has the experience, education, or noteworthy achievements in the field they’re writing about. And who wouldn’t want to be seen as an expert?
So, if you’re planning to write something for your website or blog, don’t be shy about showing off your business credentials. Give your readers a reason to put their trust in you and your expertise.
Make Sure You Monitor Your Businesses Reputation
Have you ever considered the power of “word of mouth” in today’s digital age?
With online platforms such as social media and review websites, the reputation of your business can be greatly affected. It’s crucial to stay on top of what people are saying about your brand, both positive and negative.
By doing so, you’ll gain insight into your customers’ preferences and areas for improvement. And if you address any negative feedback professionally and promptly, who knows, you might even turn an unhappy customer into a lifelong advocate for your business.
So don’t ignore what people are saying about your business online. Rather use it as a tool to improve your EEAT score and boost your reputation.
Avoid Clickbait Content To Improve Your EEAT Score
Have you ever felt duped by a clickbait article that promised to deliver the “shocking” truth, only to leave you feeling disappointed?
Well, it turns out that these types of content not only fail to deliver, but they can harm your website’s reputation and affect your EEAT score. Search engines are cracking down on low-quality and misleading content, so it’s crucial to avoid using clickbait headlines and instead focus on creating valuable and informative material for your audience.
This approach will not only improve your website’s credibility but also increase your readers’ trust. Remember, in the long run, quality always beats quantity, so skip the clickbait and aim for engaging content that resonates with your readers.
Using HTTPS
HTTPS is a fancy way of saying that websites can now add an extra layer of security to protect your sensitive information from hackers. Plus, it can even help boost a website’s visibility in search results.
By switching to HTTPS, you’re not only safeguarding your data but also giving your site a better opportunity to be seen by more people. Why not give it a try and reap the rewards of increased security and visibility?
Key Takeaways & Next Steps for Improving Your Site’s Performance with EEAT
In today’s digital world, site performance is key, and EEATT is the ultimate tool to help you achieve it.
With EEATT, you’ll learn how to optimize your site for speed, accessibility, and user experience, as well as improve your mobile responsiveness, media, and images. By implementing these tips, you’ll boost your site’s efficiency, user-friendliness, and SEO ranking.
So, what are you waiting for? Take action and start implementing these strategies on your website, and watch it soar to new heights with an influx of visitors like never before
Improve Your Website’s EEAT with Make It Loud
Get ready to make some noise with Make it Loud, the SEO agency that’s all about boosting your website’s EEAT score. Our customized approach means we’ll dive deep into your website’s structure, content, and loading times to get stellar results.
Best of all, we personalize our solutions to help you stand out and get ahead in today’s competitive market.
So, if you’re looking for a reliable partner to help improve your website’s EEAT score, look no further than Make it Loud! Contact us today at (678) 325-4007 to see how we can transform your website from zero to hero.
Cliff Tillery, MBA is the Chief Operating Officer and SEO Director at Make It Loud which is a digital marketing firm located outside of Atlanta Georgia. More than 14 years ago, he started search engine optimization at this agency and has taught digital marketing skills to business owners at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, the Gwinnett Entrepreneur Center, and other groups.
