Last week, I went to a networking event, and a colleague of mine asked me my thoughts on the updates that Google was going to make to its algorithm.
When they first started asking me about it, I had no idea what they were talking about, it's been summer after all.
But then I spent the long weekend looking into it, and this is happening.
Everywhere you look lately, some content creator or coach is talking about AI and how it's been a lifesaver for business owners to consistently pump out content to support their SEO and get them ranking higher than ever. For years, these websites needed to put out new content. Then suddenly, and thankfully for AI, the owners can sit down for an hour on a Sunday with a coffee and ask AI to write enough content to schedule not one blog a week but maybe even multiple blogs daily.
Well, our friends at Google caught on to what was happening, how people were bumping the systematic algorithm, which, if you pay for Google Adwords, does all the bumping for you.
So, thanks to AI and the way that people have been using it, we're all getting an algorithm update—one that, from my understanding of what I have read, is going to be weighed more on Reviews about your business than the content that your business is putting out there.
The real question: Does Google penalize AI content in 2024? The short answer: it depends.
Saddle up, friends, because we might be at the end of what we know about Search Engine Optimization.
What a time to be alive.
The world's leading search engine, Google, continuously updates its algorithms to provide users with the most relevant and high-quality search results. These changes are designed to improve the overall search experience and ensure that users find the information they are looking for quickly and efficiently. Over the past year, Google has made significant updates prioritizing helpful content and expert reviews. If you're a content creator, marketer, or business owner, understanding these changes can help you optimize your content strategy and improve your search rankings.
Google has made it clear that AI-generated content is not inherently against its guidelines.
However, Google has also stressed that AI-generated content must adhere to the same quality standards as human-authored content. This means AI-generated content should be original, informative, and provide value to the reader. Google has cautioned against using AI tools to generate low-quality, spammy, or misleading content, as such practices can result in penalties or lower rankings.
So what does that even mean?
The Helpful Content Update: Prioritizing User-Centric Information
One of the most noteworthy recent changes is the Helpful Content Update. This update prioritizes content that is genuinely helpful and user-centric. What does this mean for content creators? Essentially, Google wants to rank content that provides real value to users. The emphasis is on original, informative, and well-researched content that addresses the needs and questions of the target audience.
Quality Over Quantity: Rather than churning out numerous low-quality articles, focus on producing fewer but more comprehensive pieces that offer in-depth insights. Quality content is more likely to engage readers, be shared across platforms, and ultimately rank higher in search results.
Understanding User Intent: Content should be created with a clear understanding of what users are searching for. Content creators can tailor their work to effectively meet user expectations by analyzing search queries and trends.
Consistent Voice: While Google has not explicitly stated that it can definitively identify AI-generated content, the company has hinted at its ability to detect certain patterns and characteristics associated with AI-generated text. This may include analyzing factors such as:
Consistency in writing style and tone
Presence of factual inaccuracies or inconsistencies
Unusual word choice or phrasing
Lack of original insights or personal experiences
2. Product Review Updates: Fostering Trust and Authority
Google's recent updates have also highlighted product reviews, emphasizing the importance of high-quality, insightful reviews over generic or spammy content. These updates aim to enhance the credibility and usefulness of reviews in guiding consumer decisions.
In-Depth and Authentic Reviews: Google favors reviews that provide detailed information, original research, and expert opinions. Shallow, surface-level reviews are less likely to rank well. Instead, provide comprehensive evaluations covering a product's pros and cons.
First-Hand Experience: Reviews written by individuals with actual experience using the product are more valuable. Sharing personal insights, photos, and experiences can enhance the review's authenticity and improve its chances of ranking higher.
Comparative Analysis: Google values content that compares multiple products, offering a balanced view. Comparative reviews that discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different options help users make informed decisions and are likely to rank better.
E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness
Google's commitment to high-quality content is reflected in its focus on E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. This concept is crucial for content creators, especially in health, finance, and legal advice, where misinformation can have serious consequences.
Showcase Expertise: Content should be created or reviewed by individuals with proven expertise in the field. Adding author bios, credentials, and links to authoritative sources can help establish credibility.
Build Authoritativeness: Websites should strive to be authoritative sources in their niche. This can be achieved through consistent, high-quality content that earns backlinks, mentions, and social shares from other reputable sites.
Establish Trustworthiness: Trust is built through transparency and accuracy. Citing reliable sources, avoiding misleading information, and maintaining an up-to-date site can enhance the trustworthiness of your content.
As Google continues to refine its algorithm, these updates are a shift in search engine optimization (SEO) tactics and a broader movement towards a more informative and user-friendly web. By focusing on creating valuable, well-researched, trustworthy content and continuously asking for Google reviews, businesses, and content creators can improve their search rankings and build stronger relationships with their audiences.
We live in wild times of an ever-evolving digital landscape, and content that prioritizes authenticity, expertise, and user experience will be better positioned to thrive and succeed. Stay informed, adapt your strategies, and keep your content standards high to ensure you remain relevant in Google's search results and continue to effectively meet your communities needs.
Here are Five ideas on how your business can get better at asking for and receiving more Google reviews:
1. Ask Directly for a Review
Sometimes, the simplest method is the most effective. Asking for a review after a positive interaction with a customer can go a long way.
In-Person: If you interact with customers face-to-face, take the opportunity to politely ask for a review when you know they’re satisfied.
Personalized Emails: Send a follow-up email thanking them for their business and asking for a review. Make sure to include a direct link to your Google review page for convenience.
Text Messages: If texting is part of your communication with customers, send a quick thank-you message with a request for a review and the link to your review page.
2. Make it as Easy as Possible
The more convenient you make it for customers, the more likely they are to leave a review. Simplify the process with tools like Google’s link generator.
Direct Links: Generate a direct link to your Google review page and share it via email, social media, and your website.
QR Codes: Create and display QR codes that lead to your review page. You can place these codes on receipts, business cards, or even at your checkout counter. (Do not put the QR Code on your social media.)
3. Leverage Your Social Media Presence
Your followers on social media are already engaged with your business, making them more likely to leave a review if prompted.
Social Media Posts: Share posts encouraging your followers to leave a review, and include the direct link to your review page.
Stories and Videos: Use Instagram or Facebook Stories to ask for reviews after a successful event or promotion. You can also create a live video thanking your customers and requesting reviews.
4. Automate the Process with Follow-Ups
Using automated tools makes it easy to remind customers to leave a review without additional manual effort.
Email Follow-Ups: Use customer relationship management (CRM) tools to send automatic emails after a purchase or service, requesting a review.
Post-Purchase Surveys: Include a link to your Google review page in customer satisfaction surveys. This gives happy customers an easy way to share their experience.
5. Include Review Requests in Email Signatures
A subtle but effective method is to include a review request in your email signature.
Email Signature Links: Add a brief line in your email signature, such as “Enjoyed our service? Leave us a review!” with a direct link to your Google review page.
Requesting reviews doesn't have to be awkward or challenging. Using the strategies above, you can increase your Google reviews, improve your business's online reputation with the new algorithm updates, and attract more potential customers. The key is to make the process as easy as possible and to engage with customers when they're happiest with your service. Implement these tips today and watch your Google reviews and web traffic grow.