This exploration takes us behind the scenes of Google’s announcement, revealing the nuances and expert conjectures surrounding this anticipated algorithm shift.

Unmasking the Buzz: Certainly, the SEO community is abuzz with speculations and insights surrounding Google’s proclamation of the Helpful Content algorithm update. Jeremy Rivera peels back the layers, acknowledging the conjectures while emphasizing a crucial point – the update hasn’t rolled out yet. So, what do we know?

The Google Pattern: There’s a discernible pattern when Google decides to make a significant announcement, as Rivera points out. This is evident in past instances like “Mobillegeddon” and the Page Experience update. The narrative suggests a concerted effort by Google to push for specific changes in site behavior. Rivera intriguingly raises the question: What if the noise around the helpful content update is a strategy to prompt SEOs to clean up their act in anticipation?

A Play of Words: The discourse touches on the language Google uses to communicate these updates. Rivera notes the intentional messaging, especially when Google declares its disdain for AI spam content. The narrative suggests a parallel impact between the explicit announcement and the actual algorithm update – a strategic move to influence site owners’ behavior.

Spam Team’s Revelation: Crucially, the announcement emanated from the Spam Team rather than a straightforward SEO update. Rivera captures the essence of this by underlining Google’s hesitance to provide a direct indicator of what is deemed “helpful” or “unhelpful” in the Google Search Console. This intentional ambiguity prompts site owners to tread cautiously, steering clear of potential penalties.

The Fear Factor: The blog brings attention to the fear Google instills within site owners, emphasizing their reluctance to explicitly label content. Rivera suggests that Google is relying on on-site owners to navigate toward the perceived safer side of the content definition, all while being wary of spammers exploiting any explicit signals.

The Intentional Message: The discourse concludes by highlighting the intentional nature of Google’s messaging. The stomping around and the shouting against AI spam content are portrayed as deliberate moves, echoing the impact of the impending algorithm update.

Certainly there is a lot to parse, and a lot of expert SEO conjecture when it comes to Google’s official announcement of the Helpful Content algorithm update. But as many have been quick to point out: We haven’t seen it roll out yet.
So what do we know?

Google Is Making Noise About This Update

There’s a pattern, that you start to see when Google decides to do a larger press-push about its updates. It’s usually when they are “pushing” for something. We’d seen “Mobillegeddon” when Google first talked about mobile-friendly content. We saw the Page Experience update, which also pushed sites to be faster. We long ago, Penguin released to scare site owners into less link-based spam.

No one who wants to know when the next season of their favorite show is going to be released will sing the praises of the sites currently ranking. Anyone who has a Twitter account can see boastful figures hawking their success with mass AI generated content. Certainly, Google uses its BULLY PULPIT to push the site owner community in a direction.

This Announcement Came From The Spam Team

The announcement came from the Search Quality team.

https://twitter.com/JohnMu/status/1561646631250006016

Google will NOT be including a “helpful content” or “unhelpful content” demarkation in Google Search Console. That means they are AFRAID of giving site owners direct insight on what is “helpful” and what is “unhelpful”. They’re betting on site owners leaning into the “safer” edges of that definition, and fearful of “spammers” exploiting any explicit signal on content.

The Message Is As Intentional As the Algorithm

Google is stomping around shouting “WE HATE AI SPAM CONTENT” and “WATCH OUT FOR THE NEW SITEWIDE ALGO PENALTY”. This is 100% just as intentional in it’s impact as the ACTUAL algorithm update!

Jeremy Rivera, in his exploration of the #seobits, raises pertinent questions about the update, delving into the patterns and signals emitted by Google.

The conclusion of this discourse leaves us at the crossroads of anticipation and uncertainty. Despite the flurry of conjectures from SEO experts, the actual rollout of the update remains an enigma. Jeremy cleverly navigates through the noise surrounding the update, prompting readers to question: What do we know?

A key observation surfaces – Google’s intentional noise-making. Drawing parallels with historical updates like “Mobilegeddon” and the Page Experience update, Jeremy contemplates whether the uproar is a strategic move to nudge SEOs toward a specific direction. Dave Snyder’s tweet adds a layer of humor to the narrative, suggesting that Google might be orchestrating a cleanup operation before the Helpful Content update.

The revelation that this announcement originates from the Spam Team adds a layer of intrigue. Google’s decision not to provide a direct demarcation of “helpful” and “unhelpful” content in Search Console fuels speculation. It implies a wariness of giving explicit signals, placing the onus on site owners to navigate the subtle nuances of helpfulness.

The intentional nature of Google’s messaging is emphasized. The search giant, with stomping confidence, declares its disdain for AI spam content and warns of a looming sitewide algorithm penalty. The conclusion draws attention to the synchronicity between Google’s messaging and the impending algorithm update – a strategic dance aimed at influencing site owners’ behavior.

As we reflect on the seismic ripples of Google’s declarations, we find ourselves in a space where speculation meets intentionality. The blog concludes not with definitive answers but with an invitation to readers to ponder the intentional choreography of Google’s moves

Categories: SEOSEObits

Jeremy Rivera

Jeremy Rivera started in SEO in 2007, working at Advanced Access a hosting company for Realtors. He came up from the support department, where people kept asking "How do I rank in Google" and found in the process of answering that question an entire career. He became SEO product manager of Homes.com, went "in-house" at Raven Tools in Nashville in 2013. He then worked at several agencies like Caddis, 2 The Top Design as an SEO manager and then launched a 5 year freelance SEO career. During that time he consulted for large enterprise sites like Smile Direct Club, Dr. Axe, HCA, Logan's Roadhouse and Captain D's while also helping literally hundreds of small business owners get found in search results. He has authored blog posts at Authority Labs, Raven Tools, Wix, Search Engine Land. He has been a speaker at many SEO conferences like Craft Content and been interviewed in numerous SEO focused podcasts.