E-A-T is not a direct ranking factor but it is a necessary quality that must be met to rank well and maintain it on Google. Google’s E-E-A-T, which stands for “Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness,” is a set of guidelines used by Google to evaluate the credibility and quality of a website’s content. The concept of E-E-A-T was introduced in December 2022 as an expansion on the previous acronym E-A-T, which only stood for “Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness”.
Experience refers to the extent to which the content creator has first-hand experience in the topic they are writing about. It is considered important because it provides insight into the context and perspective from which the content is being presented. For example, someone reviewing a tax preparation software should have experience using the software, not just expertise in accounting.
Expertise, similar to E-A-T, refers to the author’s knowledge and experience on the topic they are writing about. The author’s credentials, qualifications and experience are all taken into consideration when evaluating this aspect.
Authoritativeness delves into the website’s reputation and influence in its specific industry or community. Google will look at factors such as the number of other sites linking to the website, domain authority, and social media following to evaluate this.
Trustworthiness centers around a website’s commitment to providing accurate and reliable information, and ensuring that the content is helpful for users. Google will also look at factors such as user experience, transparency, and compliance with webmaster guidelines when evaluating this aspect.
It is important to note that the concept of E-E-A-T is not a direct ranking factor, but rather a set of guidelines used by Google to evaluate the overall credibility and quality of a website’s content. Websites that demonstrate a high level of E-E-A-T are more likely to rank well in search results and maintain their rankings over time.
In addition to being evaluated by Google, E-E-A-T is also an important consideration for businesses and individuals looking to establish themselves as a credible and reputable source of information in their respective industries. By focusing on building expertise, authority, trustworthiness and experience, businesses can improve their online presence and increase their visibility to potential customers.
To improve E-E-A-T of your website, it’s important to ensure the information provided is accurate and up-to-date, the authors are qualified and have the necessary experience, your website is transparent about its policies and ownership, and the website is compliant with webmaster guidelines. Additionally, building a strong online reputation, having a well-designed website and focusing on providing helpful content for users can all contribute to a higher E-E-A-T rating.