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Few concepts have generated as much buzz and speculation in SEO as E-E-A-T.
Short for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness, this framework has been a cornerstone of Googleβs Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines for years.
But despite its prominence, more clarity about how E-E-A-T relates to Googleβs ranking algorithms is still needed.
In a recent episode of Googleβs Search Off The Record podcast, Search Director & Product Manager Elizabeth Tucker addressed this complex topic.
Her comments offer insights into how Google evaluates and ranks content.
No Perfect Match
One key takeaway from Tuckerβs discussion of E-E-A-T is that no single ranking signal perfectly aligns with all four elements.
Tucker explained
βThere is no E-E-A-T ranking signal. But this really is for people to remember itβs a shorthand, something that should always be a consideration, although, you know, different types of results arguably need different levels of E-E-A-T.β
This means that while Googleβs algorithms do consider factors like expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness when ranking content, there isnβt a one-to-one correspondence between E-E-A-T and any specific signal.
The PageRank Connection
However, Tucker did offer an example of how one classic Google ranking signal β PageRank β aligns with at least one aspect of E-E-A-T.
Tucker said:
βPageRank, one of our classic Google ranking signals, probably is sort of along the lines of authoritativeness. I donβt know that it really matches up necessarily with some of those other letters in there.β
For those unfamiliar, PageRank is an algorithm that measures the importance and authority of a webpage based on the quantity and quality of links pointing to it.
In other words, a page with many high-quality inbound links is seen as more authoritative than one with fewer or lower-quality links.
Tuckerβs comments suggest that while PageRank may be a good proxy for authoritativeness, it doesnβt necessarily capture the other elements of E-E-A-T, like expertise or trustworthiness.
Why SEJ Cares
While itβs clear that E-E-A-T matters, Tuckerβs comments underscore that itβs not a silver bullet to ranking well.
Instead of chasing after a mythical βE-E-A-T score,β websites should create content that demonstrates their expertise and builds user trust.
This means investing in factors like:
- Accurate, up-to-date information
- Clear sourcing and attribution
- Author expertise and credentials
- User-friendly design and navigation
- Secure, accessible web infrastructure
By prioritizing these elements, websites can send strong signals to users and search engines about the quality and reliability of their content.
The E-E-A-T Evolution
Itβs worth noting that E-E-A-T isnβt a static concept.
Tucker explained in the podcast that Googleβs understanding of search quality has evolved over the years, and the Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines have grown and changed along with it.
Today, E-E-A-T is just one of the factors that Google considers when evaluating and ranking content.
However, the underlying principles β expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness β will likely remain key pillars of search quality for the foreseeable future.
Listen to the full podcast episode below:
Featured Image: salarko/Shutterstock
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