Can Google's search engine actually determine what is quality content?

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   NateB11posted 10 years ago

   If so, what is it that it considers good or bad quality? If not, then what is it that Google puts at the top of SERPs and sends traffic? Also, what is meant by that phrase, Google sending you traffic? I've seen it used, but not exactly sure what it means. Does it mean they put your content at the top of the SERPs?

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2. 72

   relacheposted 10 years ago

   Google determines what Google determines. 
   
   The debate can easily be examined by typing "what is high quality content to google" into the Google search engine and then reading the entirety of every article listed on the first page of results.

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      NateB11posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Do you know what they mean by quality?

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3. 93

   Suzanne Dayposted 10 years ago

   To save you the trouble, I read a few articles about the same thing this morning!
   
   What Google wants is*:
   
   - longer articles (1000 words or more)
   - more organic backlinking (don't go crazy on backlinking yourself)
   - a very small amount of keywords in the hub (say, twice only), url, main title and description
   - titles which appeal to readers
   - articles which engage readers (keep them on the page as long as possible)
   - articles that are popular on social media and are liked or pinned by lots of people
   - less selling, more information
   - authority (ie having many articles about the same subject)
   - authority of website (ie having a big, trustworthy website that is well established)
   - articles which do not read like they are full of keywords
   - articles with photos (for the reader engagement)
   
   I'm sure there's a few more I forgot. Oh my, I promised myself not to get into the complex keyword spreadsheets of yesteryear and I'm sorta glad I don't have to!!!
   
   It is my suspicion that keeping readers on the page as long as possible is starting to figure into the algorithm....though no one talks about it. That's why you have very low ranked Alexa articles featuring on the first page along with very high ranked Alexa articles.
   
   I will admit I wrote some funny and witty hubs with no backlinks or keywords involved and they seem to be doing as well as the richly keyworded and backlinked hubs I wrote 2 years ago...
   
   *Until the next update....will it be a lion this time?
   
   PS - yes if you are at the top of the SERPS (top of google search for those keywords) then yes, Google will send you traffic. Though having the right keywords might not necessarily get you there...I've had plenty of articles ranking for keyword phases which they didn't have in them....

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      NateB11posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      So, we could gather that they mean content that shows the reader good knowledge of the subject matter and goes in-depth, is compelling possibly. It would have to be diverse in content, particularly if we are talking about a whole site; what they call authority sites; the negative side, not an article with a few words and a bunch of ads.
      
      Edit: At least partly.

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         Suzanne Dayposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, definitely cutting out heaps of ads and keyword crap seems to work, and keeping it simple in that regard. I don't think Google wants informative drivel or the equivalent of a thesis though - it has to be engaging, which means the reader finds it compelling to be on the page and wants to read it all the way through...a good litmus test is to see if anyone on social media likes it...and it is over 1000 words

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         1. 88

            NateB11posted 10 years agoin reply to this

            That makes sense, and I think that's why they talk about user experience; the visitor wants to stay on the page and find out more. Compelling I think is a good word.

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               Suzanne Dayposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               Yes, well I certainly seem to be doing better writing hubs that focus on humour, making someone's life easier, interesting how-tos and other stuff that people on social media would like.
               
               I'm pretty sure that's what Google wants now and I'm pretty sure it will be ranking higher in the future too.
               
               But this is just a "guesstimate theory" of mine and there are plenty of theories on here. I guess it depends on what works with your writing style the most as having more hubs always works better than having less hubs....and you need to write them!

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   janderson99posted 10 years ago

   This is interesting - markup for in depth articles.
   
   https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/3280182

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      Suzanne Dayposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, well the Google + thing is a must if you want to be seen on social media!

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      NateB11posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      That's very helpful and useful, plus surprised me; I didn't know they actually looked specifically for in-depth work. Glad I did the authorship thing.

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