As the world’s most popular search engine, Google’s developers understand that as customers’ requirements evolve, so should Google’s ranking algorithm. As a result, Google must determine which material is relevant and valuable to a searcher’s query and adjust the information presented to that user accordingly.
Search Quality Raters
Google employs external Search Quality Raters to check search results to determine their quality. The raters, according to Google, have no direct influence on rankings, but they do assist the company in assessing the quality of its search results.
The Search Quality Rater Guidelines can provide SEOs with insight into what Google prioritizes and what may become a ranking component in the future. The focus of the Search Rater Guidelines is on diversity and inclusion. Google changed its Search Rater Guidelines in December 2019 to underline that ratings should not be based on personal opinion, political affiliation, religion, or any other element that may contribute to bias.
Google is used by people of various genders, races, sexual orientations, religions, and backgrounds. As a result, the Guidelines should represent the diversity of Google’s user base. “Different types of searches require very different types of search results,” Google wrote in the Guidelines.
Quality of a Web Page
A website’s content is one of the essential factors considered by raters. Content is divided into three categories by the guidelines: Main Content (MC), Supplementary Content (SC), and Advertisements/Monetization (Ads). The content will aid raters in determining the website’s quality, whether it satisfies the searcher’s needs, and how Google might improve its algorithm.
Trustworthiness/Authoritativeness/Expertise (E-A-T)
Raters will examine a website’s content and assign a score based on the author’s competence, authority, and author’s, website’s, and overall brand’s trustworthiness. E-A-T is the acronym for this component of the content-rating system. In the aftermath of COVID-19, Google has moved its focus to websites and businesses that maintain a high level of authority in their respective industries.
For Mobile Users
In 2016, Google announced the mobile-first indexing strategy, which promoted the usage of mobile versions of websites as a significant source of content and ranking signals. Google then switched to “mobile-only” indexing in March 2021. Now it does not crawl any information that is only displayed on desktop versions of websites, including text, photos, videos, links, and structured data.
It is why raters are assisting Google in better understanding search from the standpoint of a mobile user by identifying needs-based searches.
Edge Digital
Does your business need help getting your website to rank? Edge Digital can help. Our digital marketing experts are experienced with Google algorithms and know how to make them work for you. So, take steps to get your page ranking higher today and call 919-726-4366. See what we can do for you.
Kim works with brands since 2011 to develop and manage their digital and social media strategies; meet company objectives, such as increasing leads, engagement, and website traffic, utilizing best practices, the latest tools and strategies; and develop quality content. She is a problem-solver who loves a challenge when it comes to increasing sales.