The internet brought a revolution to the world of business and marketing. Now with Google and other search engines, businesses have unlocked countless ways to reach their target audiences. Content marketing, SEO, backlinks, and keywords are always at the forefront, giving an easy play to businesses. However, amid these strategies and calculations, somehow informative content gets lost in the digital ecosystem. To solve this, the world's largest search engine started a major update regarding its helpful content algorithm. 

This friendly update requires changes and updates in SEO techniques. So let's explore how this algorithm impacts your brand's visibility online. Moreover, how can you write Google's helpful content algorithm-friendly content? 

What is the update regarding Google’s helpful content?

Since it was released in 1998, Google has been the deciding factor in maintaining a balance in the digital space. This update is a new attempt to keep things in order, helping the users find what they are truly looking for. Google's helpful content update came with a few adjustments in the search algorithm. This was done to improve the evaluation of Google on how a web page is helpful to a real human being. Using this refined algorithm, Google intends to reward "people-first content" while it continues to devalue inorganic programmatic material. 

Google’s Helpful Content System - 

Google has a user-first approach so it is fully known that the biggest search engine is leveraging the best technology to power this new change in its algorithm. The company has built a machine-learning model that evaluates a website’s helpfulness. This Google helpful content algorithm judges every website for quality measurements and then lets it pass the test. According to this evaluation, it is decided whether the website is helpful or low-value, which is called the search engine’s helpful content system. This is now considered the backbone of this new updated infrastructure that the company uses for better rankings.  

What is considered helpful or people-first content?

This term refers to the content that is directly related to the users' interests and searches. According to Google, helpful content is thoroughly evaluated and more likely to be original and useful to search engine users. Any kind of helpful content would deliver meaningful information, add value to the readers, and solve queries.

This is surely in direct contrast with the search engine's first content, which is known for only focusing on clickbait tactics and heavy optimization. Whereas people-first content prioritizes the user experience and satisfaction. So taking this people-first approach will now make search engine rankings and at the same time will provide valuable content. All together, the digital sphere will be a better, and high-quality space. Publishing people-first content will also mean that the brands are getting genuine, and loyal following lists because they are providing valuable content. 

How can you write helpful content matching Google’s algorithm?

You might think that writing helpful content is straightforward, but it requires strategic methods. Here is what you can do, following Google's instructions - 

● Sticking to your competence: 

The first and foremost rule is to stick to your expertise. This way you can focus on writing content that comes within the bounds of your niche and specialty. This also gives you a chance to showcase your authority and knowledge in one place, while setting your content up for success. You can start by listing the top pain points of your customers and your business' main categories. Then you can focus on brainstorming ideas within each category that ensures it ties to a customer pain point. 

● Prioritizing quality:

Another way of taking your effort to provide people-first content a step further is to prioritize quality in every piece that you publish. You can start by diving deep into one topic, researching thoroughly, and providing meaningful substance to your readers. As Google is looking for content that is helpful to its users, producing valuable content will motivate them to take notice of your content. You can do this by spending time creating thoughtful content and adding your valuable insights to differentiate it from others. 

● Focusing on humanity:

Producing content just for the backlinks, or SEO optimization is a thing of the past. Both users and Google are now focused on getting helpful content. One of the best ways to do that is by letting your unique personality shine through your writing. After all, the uniqueness is what sets the writers apart. The old algorithm might have rewarded the inorganic keyword-stuffed content, but this new helpful algorithm would not. So to be noticed, now you need to showcase your authenticity and connect with the readers on a deeper level. 

● Writing to a certain audience:

Another key tip to crafting valuable, people-first content is knowing who your audience is and writing only for them. You can start by creating a detailed buyer persona for your audience. Here you can include relevant information about their pain points, demographics, interests, and targets. Then start referring to this persona every time you sit down to write. This will make sure you are not skipping any unique needs of your customers. 

● Staying focused:

One of the signs that Google’s helpful content contains is that the writing is focused. So if you are used to writing just for the SEO, without any real direction, it is time to change your way of writing. Instead what you can do is maintain a purpose throughout the entire content and deliver on every expectation. Start with setting one primary goal that you want to achieve with every piece of writing and adjust the content accordingly. 

● Centralizing satisfactory content:

Google's helpful content update has clearly stated that it only rewards content that is satisfying to the readers. So keep this in mind while crafting your content and write it in such a way that the audience is left wanting more the next time. This will make sure the audience is coming back to read the content because it is exactly what they need, solving every query that they have. 

The SEO landscape is powerful. It can break or make your game online at any point. However, with these new changes, there is a chance for content that provides value to rank higher. By adhering to this strategy and practice, you will also be able to create meaningful, and authoritative content, thriving at the search engines as well.