{"id":21029,"date":"2022-08-12T10:38:11","date_gmt":"2022-08-12T09:38:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.improvemysearchranking.com\/?p=21029"},"modified":"2023-11-23T13:32:57","modified_gmt":"2023-11-23T13:32:57","slug":"5-recent-changes-to-google-search-quality-rater-guidelines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.improvemysearchranking.com\/5-recent-changes-to-google-search-quality-rater-guidelines\/","title":{"rendered":"5 recent changes to Google search quality rater guidelines"},"content":{"rendered":"

On July 28, 2022, Google updated its search quality rater guidelines.<\/p>\n

This was the first update in over nine months \u2014 the last time Google updated the search quality rater guidelines was back in October 2021.<\/p>\n

In this post, we will take a look at what changed in the latest update and what content creators and local businesspeople should know when it comes to creating websites and content that meets Google\u2019s guidelines.<\/p>\n

What changed?<\/h2>\n

Google documented five big changes in the recent update.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The language was refreshed to align with the newly published guidelines<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  2. Google refined YMYL, refreshed existing examples, and added a new table of examples.<\/li>\n
  3. Elaborated and added clarifications to low and lowest page quality sections.<\/li>\n
  4. Refactored language to be applicable across all device types.<\/li>\n
  5. Removed user location when irrelevant, removed or updated outdated concepts and examples, updated screenshots, and made other minor changes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What does it all mean?!<\/h2>\n

    We know. Some of it may not make sense.<\/p>\n

    So here is a brief explanation of what it actually means for you and what you need to do about it.<\/p>\n

    Changes to YMYL<\/h3>\n

    YMYL stands for Your Money, Your Life<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    What it means is that Google is more sensitive about certain topics than others. After all, some topics have the potential to affect and influence other people\u2019s lives in a more significant manner.<\/p>\n

    For example, a gossip website may not have the same impact on someone\u2019s life as a blog that shares health tips. Google wants these website categories to be more responsible with the information they share.<\/p>\n

    Makes sense, right?<\/p>\n

    In this recent update, Google has updated how it defines YMYL and who is affected by it.<\/p>\n

    Previously, Google used to break down YMYL topics into the following categories:<\/p>\n