The Google Helpful Content Update is aimed at prioritizing content that provides genuine value to users. It reduces the ranking of low-quality or unhelpful pages, focusing instead on original, informative content created primarily for people rather than search engines.

MOZ contributor Maryann Muthami has published an article featuring 10 tips to to create helpful content post Google’s Helpful Content Update.

She says, “Here is how you build your brand using helpful content:

1. Understand search intent

Search intent, or user intent, is the motivation behind every search query. Google prioritizes content that directly addresses what users are looking for, making it crucial to align your content with the right intent.

The four primary search intent categories include:

  • Informational: Users seek information like “What is climate change?”
  • Navigational: Users want a specific site, e.g., “Facebook login”
  • Commercial: Users research products/services, e.g., “Best coffee maker”
  • Transactional: Users intend to purchase, e.g., “Buy Subaru Forester”

Google also uses a nuanced approach in categorizing intent within its guidelines, including:

  • Know queries: Broadly informational queries
  • Do queries: Activity-based searches, like booking a flight
  • Website queries: Seeking a specific website
  • Visit-in-person queries: Local business searches”.

How To Create Helpful Content Post-HCU

MOZ
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