I am confident in my content creation efforts, but now with EEAT, I am unsure about how the algorithms will respond. My team currently writes the content, but I edit and approve it before posting. I allow them to list themselves as authors, even though they are not very experienced. They usually spend about two days researching a topic before they begin writing. What steps should I take in this situation?
To stay ahead in SEO, especially considering EEAT, it’s crucial to prioritize the expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness of your content. Here’s how to address the concerns raised:
1. Enhance Author Expertise:
- Formalize Author Training: Implement a structured training program for your content team to improve their expertise. This could include workshops, online courses, or mentorship programs focused on SEO best practices, subject-specific knowledge, and ethical writing.
- Focus on Depth: Encourage your team to conduct thorough research, going beyond the initial two days. Encourage them to consult multiple reputable sources, interview experts, and cite credible data to demonstrate their understanding.
- Showcase Experience: While your team might not have extensive public experience, highlight any relevant expertise they possess. This could include internal projects, certifications, or educational background.
- Avoid “Ghostwriting”: While it’s okay for your team to be listed as authors, clearly state your role in editing and approving the content. This transparency helps establish trust and avoids potential penalties associated with “ghostwriting” practices.
2. Build Authoritativeness:
- Develop Author Profiles: Create professional author profiles for your team members, featuring their expertise, experience, and credentials. This could be on your website, LinkedIn, or other relevant platforms.
- Encourage Guest Posting: Encourage your team to contribute guest posts to reputable websites within their area of expertise. This builds their online presence and demonstrates their authority.
- Focus on Backlinks: Build a strong backlink profile for your website by reaching out to relevant websites and requesting links to your high-quality content. This is a key factor in establishing authority.
3. Ensure Trustworthiness:
- Fact-Check Rigorously: Implement a thorough fact-checking process to ensure accuracy in your content. This builds trust with readers and protects your brand’s reputation.
- Address User Concerns: Actively monitor your website’s comments section and social media mentions. Respond promptly to any questions or concerns users may have about your content.
- Transparency is Key: Be open and transparent about your content creation process, including your editing and approval procedures.
- Ethical Guidelines: Develop and enforce clear ethical guidelines for your team regarding content creation and citation practices. This ensures all content aligns with Google’s E-A-T guidelines.
4. Continuous Improvement:
- Stay Updated: Regularly monitor changes in Google’s search algorithm and best practices. Adapt your content strategy and processes accordingly.
- Analyze Performance: Utilize Google Search Console and other analytics tools to monitor your website’s performance. Identify areas for improvement and make adjustments based on data.
By focusing on these steps, you can ensure your content consistently meets E-A-T standards, ultimately improving your SEO performance.