If you’re an entrepreneur and establishing your online presence, chances are you’ve heard the term E-E-A-T being used in SEO discussions. At Agenciyo, we believe digital strategies should be easy to understand. So let’s examine what is E-E-A-T is, how it works in SEO, and how you can use it to enhance your site’s performance.
What is E-E-A-T?
E-E-A-T stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. It’s a framework Google uses to evaluate the quality of content, especially in sites that deal with sensitive topics like health, finance, and legal advice. These are also referred to as YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) topics.
Though E-E-A-T isn’t an immediate ranking signal like page speed or mobile-friendliness, it plays an enormous role in the way Google understands the value and trust of your content.
Let’s explore what each aspect is.
Show Firsthand Knowledge
This is the newest addition to the E-E-A-T team. Google introduced it in December 2022 to emphasize the importance of firsthand knowledge in content production. Google E-E-A-T guidelines are also present now.
Imagine you’re reading a review for a laptop. Would you take the word of someone who actually used it or an editor who’s only going through specifications? Incorporate real-life stories, customer case studies, and personal insights into your content. Show you’ve “walked the walk.”
Search engines prefer content contributed by individuals who have done the thing, not just talked about it. It could be:
• A traveler describing places they have visited.
• A mechanic demonstrating how to fix a vehicle they’ve tinkered with.
• A small business owner writing about what tools have helped their business develop.
Expertise: Know Your Stuff
This one’s straightforward: is the person writing the content actually qualified?
Google wants to show content written by people who know what they’re talking about. This is especially important for YMYL topics. For example:
• Medical advice should come from licensed professionals.
• Financial guidance should be provided by certified experts.
But expertise isn’t necessarily a PhD. If you’re running a baking blog and have years of hands-on experience creating recipes, that counts too! Highlight the credentials, experience, and background of your writers. Author bios, qualifications, and professional history all count.
Authoritativeness: Be the Go-To Source
Authority isn’t what you say; it’s who else perceives you as a leader in your space. If your voice is appreciated by others in your industry, Google will appreciate it as well. Build relationships in your sector. Guest post, collaborate on pieces, and secure high-quality links to create your authority over time. Search engines measure authority by looking at such things as:
• Links from authoritative sites
• Media mentions or mentions by respected publications
• Association with respected industry leaders
Trustworthiness: Obtain User Trust
Of the four factors, trust is most important. Of the four factors, trust is most important. Even when your content is well-written and well-researched, if users don’t trust your site, it will not perform. Google’s policy clearly says, “Untrustworthy pages have low E-E-A-T regardless of how experienced, expert, or authoritative they might appear.” Don’t forget the basics. Visible contact details, transparent policies, and transparency do a lot to gain trust with search engines and users alike.
Trust is formed by:
• Providing contact details in the open
• Serving over HTTPS to browse securely
• Displaying original customer reviews
• Quoting correct sources
• Honesty and neutrality in content
A Brief History of E-E-A-T in Google’s Universe
Google’s “Medic Update” highlighted ranking high-quality, authoritative content, especially health and finance. The second “E” for “experience” was added. Google released updates to enhance ranking review content based on firsthand experience and hands-on knowledge. E-E-A-T remains a core component of how Google evaluates content quality.
Why E-E-A-T Matters to Your Website’s SEO
Regardless of whether you run an online shop, consultancy, or blog, implementing E-E-A-T SEO checklist principles can be:
• Improve your search visibility
• Improve user trust and loyalty
• Set you apart from the competition
How to Improve E-E-A-T on Your Site
We help businesses at Agenciyo create trustworthy, SEO-friendly content. Here are some simple yet effective E-E-A-T SEO tips :
Emphasize Actual Experience
Add case studies, product reviews, or personal anecdotes to your content. Actual examples build trust and allow users to connect with your message.
Add Author Bios
Include a short bio with every article stating the author’s qualifications, experience, or expertise. Better still, include a link to their LinkedIn or personal portfolio.
Gain Quality Backlinks
Target digital PR, outreach, and guest blogging to acquire links from quality sites in your niche.
Be Transparent
Include a transparent “About Us” and “Contact” page, feature team members, and provide business credentials or affiliations.
Keep Content Fresh
Old material hurts your credibility. Refresh blogs, especially those with facts, numbers, or trends in an industry, on a regular basis.
Utilize Visuals and Formatting
Use images, bullet points, and headings to break up long text. Besides making for easier reading, it increases user engagement, and that benefits SEO.
Conclusion
By putting the users first, you’ll inherently improve your E-E-A-T. At Agenciyo, we believe that content marketing isn’t about gaming the algorithm. It’s about establishing the trust of your audience. The more your content is rooted in actual experience, deep knowledge, industry expertise, and truth, the better your SEO will be.
Struggling to create content that ticks all the E-E-A-T boxes? Contact Agenciyo, and let’s build your brand with credibility and care.