Back in December 2022, Google announced that they were adding another “E” to their E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) framework, which is now E-E-A-T. The new “E” stands for “Experience,” meaning that content needs to feel more relatable and trustworthy.
In other words, it is no longer enough to have expert opinions alone. To really catch people’s attention, businesses also need to share personal experiences that resonate with their audience.
Below, this SEO agency in Brookfield, Illinois is going to explain how focusing on this extra “E” can improve your brand visibility and help your business rank higher on search engines.
What is E-E-A-T, and why is it so important for your online success?
Since it was first introduced in 2018, E-A-T has always been an important part of Google’s Search Quality Rater Guidelines. Four years later, Google added “Experience” to the mix because they want to promote content that is accurate and relatable. With the new “Experience” metric, the goal is to encourage brands to share real-life stories or personal experiences that make their content more engaging and trustworthy.
Adding experience improves your content quality
The new “E” in E-E-A-T is about giving your content more depth. While the other E, “Expertise,” is about formal knowledge or industry qualifications, the experience focuses on what you have actually lived through or observed firsthand. For businesses, this means sharing real-world examples, case studies, or testimonials that show how valuable your product or service is.
Think about a pet owner looking for the best pet care products. A blog that features quotes from vets or customers’ personal experiences with those products will naturally seem more relatable and trustworthy than one that only offers surface-level information.
This is where the “Experience” factor enters — when you share genuine stories and practical advice, your brand can build stronger connections with potential customers.
A professional SEO agency in Brookfield, Illinois can help your business implement this strategy. Whether you run a local shop or an online store, they can help you incorporate firsthand knowledge that makes your brand more relatable and trustworthy to Google.
Building authority through experience in your content
When it comes to authority, experience makes all the difference. You could have the most accurate and up-to-date information, but if readers don’t trust that it is based on real-life situations, they probably will not pay much attention.
Google understands this too, which is why authoritativeness goes together with experience.
A great way to establish authority is by collaborating with experts who have firsthand knowledge of your industry. For example, a financial planning blog written by certified professionals who also share their own investment stories will come off as much more trustworthy.
A good SEO agency in Brookfield, Illinois can create content that is informative but also draws from real-life insights. By doing so, they make sure your website becomes a trusted resource for users seeking expert advice and personal testimonials.
Trust is the backbone of E-E-A-T
Everything about E-E-A-T is really about building trust. Google wants to promote content that users can trust, so your site needs to be a reliable source. Experience adds a human touch that makes your content feel more relatable and credible.
One way to maintain this trust is by having a website that is easy to use on any device. If they get a smooth, secure browsing experience, your users are more likely to trust your brand and come back for more. Updating your content regularly and maintaining transparency about your sources of information further boost your credibility.
A professional SEO agency in Brookfield, Illinois can make sure that your website has valuable content, and that it also provides a secure and accessible user experience.
How to apply E-E-A-T principles to your content strategy?
Evaluate your current content and ask yourself, “Does this reflect real-world experience?” Add in some personal stories, customer feedback, and insights from industry professionals when you can. Make sure your content highlights both your knowledge and your real-world experience.
Consistency is key, so be sure to audit and update your content regularly to keep it fresh and relevant. If your website gets stale, it can lose trust fast, so keeping your website content current is essential for maintaining both trust and authority.
You could also just hire a professional agency. An SEO agency in Brookfield, Illinois can help you create content that aligns with E-E-A-T principles.
Looking for an SEO Agency in Brookfield, Illinois?
Are you looking for a professional SEO agency in Brookfield, Illinois that can help you apply E-E-A-T principles and improve your online presence? If so, look no further than Digital Destination LLC. We can help your business create engaging, credible content that meets Google’s latest standards. Contact us at (312) 933-6806 to learn how we can help.