Google September 2023 Helpful Content Update

Explore Google's September 2023 Helpful Content System Update - Discover how this major algorithm change affects website rankings.

On the 15th of September 2023, Google rolled out a significant update to its algorithm, known as the September Helpful Content Update. This update is poised to have a substantial impact on numerous websites across the internet. In this article, we will delve into the details of this update, explore the changes it brings, and discuss which types of websites are likely to be affected.

Understanding the September Helpful Content Update

Today, we'll be unraveling the intricacies of Google's Helpful Content System update, which was launched in September 2023.

It's essential to note that this update stems from Google's previously introduced system, the Helpful Content Update, unveiled on August 18, 2022. The primary purpose of this system is to assess the quality of content on websites. However, unlike other updates that primarily consider factors like freshness and relevance, this system places a significant emphasis on the concept of "helpfulness."

In essence, it evaluates how beneficial the content published on a website is to both users and search engines. Traditionally, many SEO professionals have focused on optimizing content solely for ranking higher in search results. Google has recognized this trend and aims to penalize websites that prioritize search engine rankings over user value.

The Helpful Content Update sends a clear message: your content should cater to people, written by people, and serve the needs of real human readers. Interestingly, Google's stance on AI-generated content has evolved with this update. While Google was initially opposed to AI-generated content, they now accept it, provided it is reviewed and refined by a human editor to enhance its value and relevance to human readers.

A Site-Wide Ranking Signal

Crucially, the Helpful Content Update is not a penalty but rather a site-wide ranking signal. This means that if Google detects helpful content on some of your web pages and unhelpful content on others, the ranking of all pages—both helpful and unhelpful—will be affected. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the content on all pages of your website.

When the Helpful Content System affects a website, its ranking gradually declines. Recognizing this signal can be challenging, but if you suspect your site has been impacted, it's advisable to remove unhelpful content promptly. However, be prepared for a gradual restoration of your website's ranking; this signal is weighted and can take several months to fully recover.

Notably, websites affected by the Broadcore Update tend to see their ranking restored in the subsequent Broadcore Update, which usually takes about 6 to 8 months. On the other hand, websites affected by the Helpful Content System may experience a quicker recovery, though not immediate. It may take months, but waiting for the next Broadcore Update is unnecessary.

The September 2023 Update: Key Highlights

On September 15, 2023, Google introduced an update to the Helpful Content System with several notable features. One significant aspect to highlight is its impact on third-party content. If your main website publishes content from third-party sources or has sub-domains dedicated to such content, the Helpful Content System will scrutinize it closely.

If unhelpful content is found on the entire website or within sub-domains, it can negatively affect the ranking of your main website. Google's recommendation in this scenario is clear: either remove unhelpful content from your website or sub-domains or mark it as "no-index" to remove it from Google's index. This proactive approach can safeguard your website's ranking and facilitate its gradual recovery.

Conclusion

In summary, Google's September 2023 Helpful Content System Update is a significant development for website owners and SEO professionals. It underscores the importance of prioritizing user value over search engine rankings and acknowledges the role of AI-generated content when it is enhanced by human editors. To maintain or regain your website's ranking, it's crucial to evaluate your content, both on the main website and sub-domains, and take proactive steps to remove or no-index unhelpful content.

This update began rolling out on September 15, 2023, and is expected to take approximately two weeks to complete. If you notice a sudden drop in your website's ranking or traffic after this date, and you suspect unhelpful content may be the cause, take action promptly to rectify the situation.

Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for more updates in the dynamic world of Google's algorithm changes.