Google taking low-quality search results seriously

Google is taking low-quality search results seriously. Next week, the search engine will launch the “helpful content update” to tackle content that seems to have been primarily created for ranking well in search engines rather than to help or inform people.

“This ranking update will help make sure that unoriginal, low quality content doesn’t rank highly in Search, and our testing has found it will especially improve results related to online education, as well as arts and entertainment, shopping and tech-related content,” said Danny Sullivan, Public Liaison for Search.

For example, adds Sullivan, if you search for information about a new movie, you might have previously seen articles that aggregated reviews from other sites without adding perspectives beyond what’s available elsewhere. This isn’t very helpful if you’re expecting to read something new. With this update, you’ll see more results with unique, authentic information, so you’re more likely to read something you haven't seen before.

He says that Google will continue to refine its systems and build on this improvement over time.

Google says it works hard to make sure the pages it shows on Search are as helpful and relevant as possible. To do this, it constantly refines its systems: Last year, the company launched thousands of updates to Search based on hundreds of thousands of quality tests, including evaluations where it gathers feedback from human reviewers.

“We know people don’t find content helpful if it seems like it was designed to attract clicks rather than inform readers. So starting next week for English users globally, we’re rolling out a series of improvements to Search to make it easier for people to find helpful content made by, and for, people. This ranking work joins a similar effort related to ranking better quality product review content over the past year, which will also receive an update. Together, these launches are part of a broader, ongoing effort to reduce low-quality content and make it easier to find content that feels authentic and useful in Search,” he said.

More helpful product reviews

“We know product reviews can play an important role in helping you make a decision on something to buy. Last year, we kicked off a series of updates to show more helpful, in-depth reviews based on first-hand expertise in search results,” he adds.

Google has continued to refine these systems, and in the coming weeks, the search giant will roll out another update to make it even easier to find high-quality, original reviews.

“We’ll continue this work to make sure you find the most useful information when you’re researching a purchase on the web. We hope these updates will help you access more helpful information and valuable perspectives on Search,” he added.

 A search update rolling out for English-speaking users next week will "make it easier for people to find helpful content made by, and for, people," the company says. It's meant to ensure that "unoriginal, low quality content" created primarily to game Google rankings doesn't vault to the top of search results. Google has already been trying to elevate higher-quality product reviews, perhaps in response to TikTok's success with that kind of content, TechCrunch writes.