So, Google’s really into helpful, user-focused content these days.
But how do you actually make content that Google loves?
And, just as importantly, how do you know if your content is hitting the mark?
In today’s BoostMyDomain post, we’re getting practical.
We’ve asked some top SEO and marketing pros, plus business leaders who’ve been there, done that, to share their secrets.
They’ll tell you their go-to strategies for both creating awesome content and measuring how well it’s working.
Think of it as your cheat sheet for creating content that both users and Google will adore.
Read on!
Scott Gabdullin
My best strategy for improving content quality is focusing on intent — figuring out what the user really needs and giving that in the simplest, most engaging way.
I evaluate success by looking at engagement metrics, such as time on page, bounce rate and conversions, but I also consider how the numbers translate into the bigger picture.
Are users able to easily find what they are looking for without getting frustrated? Are they taking the next logical step?
Regular feedback, user testing and iterating content according to real interactions ensures that it’s not just ranking nicely but genuinely helping people.
Scott Gabdullin
Founder, Authority Factors
Adedoyin Adedeji
A strategy that never fails to work for me is actually answering questions that real people are asking. I usually do this through various methods but my top 3 are:
1. Focus on user-centric forums to find concerns or questions that your target audience may be asking for. Many of these forums include Reddit, Quora, Discord, Twitter, LinkedIn etc. It’s amazing the type of info you could glean from these social platforms.
2. Use the People Also Ask section on google. These contain frequently asked questions by users. Plus it’s great for targeting long tailed keywords for SEO purposes.
3. Use the topic research feature on SEMRUSH. This particular feature is a goldmine filled with tons of info about search queries/questions (why, what, how, when & why) that your readers might have.
These are my go-to steps for creating evergreen content that stays relevant for as long as possible with very little to no update necessary to the content.
Adedoyin Adedeji
Content Marketing Manager, Talent Hackers
Agata Gruszka-Kierczak
My content strategy centers on understanding our audience’s needs and creating content that directly addresses them.
I start with understanding the ‘why’ behind a search query. Because I work within my area of expertise, I’m able to put myself in the user’s shoes: “If I were searching for this, what would I really want to find?”. This perspective allows me to move beyond generic explanations and incorporate practical, real-world examples.
For existing content, I prioritize the ranking for the primary keyword over overall ranking. I then delve into user behavior metrics. I’ll check how long people are actually sticking around on the page.
Are they scrolling down? Are they clicking on any of our other links, or are they leaving quickly?
A high bounce rate signals a problem. Perhaps the intro is boring, maybe the information isn’t helpful, or maybe it’s just plain hard to read. These are the areas I target for improvement.
It’s definitely not a “set it and forget it” kind of thing. It requires ongoing testing and refinement. However, if you just keep asking yourself, “Would I find this useful?” you’re probably on the right track. I’ve seen positive results, and it’s particularly rewarding to see this approach validated by Google’s focus on helpful content.
Ultimately, we’re working toward the same goal: providing the best answers to users’ questions.
Agata Gruszka-Kierczak
International SEO Manager, WhitePress
Nikolas Stratis
My approach is to look at things from the users’ perspective and give them real answers to the questions that they have.
Rather than chasing keywords and semantics, I am always advising clients to think about how they can add value to their website’s visitors.
In other words, I am trying to think of search engines not as enemies but as advisors for best practices. Their aim is to improve the user’s experience and so this is what I am trying to achieve as well.
For example, while working with a tax expert, we developed a corporate tax calculator that was free and available to the public. That enhanced the website traffic and increased the users’ interaction with the brand.
The result was a rapid improvement in Google rankings and a high return on investment over a short period of time.
Nikolas Stratis
Partner, Prodyssey Solutions Ltd
Wesley S Cable Sr
With Google’s focus on “helpful content” we need to remember that the point of creating content is to provide value to the reader. We tell our clients that writing content to simply rank on Google is a bad practice that will never get you the results you are after.
We make sure our content is helpful by answering a few questions about every piece of content that we create:
– If I was a client or prospective client for this business, would I find this information helpful?
– Does this content provide value to our clients or prospective clients?
– Are we providing a unique angle in this content that isn’t the same as everyone else?
– If I never published this content, would anyone care?
If we cannot answer yes to all of these questions, then we won’t produce the content. Many times we go back to content written in the past and ask these same 4 questions. If we cannot answer yes to all of these, then the content needs to be updated or re-written.
We have found that when we look at content creation this way, we create much better content and Google tends to reward us with better rankings.
Janet Jay
The best way to produce quality content in today’s market is by doing what an LLM can’t: be human.
Be personal.
In my niche, talking about chronic pain, mental health, and invisible illness, this means being vulnerable and sharing hard, private experiences that aren’t easy to put words to.
The medical field is prime for AI writing – it’s happening now and will grow exponentially. So for my content to stay competitive, I have to be part of it!
I’ve spent most of my life in constant pain searching for answers, so my best work integrates the experiences that make me a subject matter expert with the info my readers need.
I know it works – my most-read post is one of my most personal, emotion-filled pieces. And I’ll be writing more in 2025!
Janet Jay
Blogger, JanetJay.com
Alifiya J
Whenever I am writing blogs for our website and in the process of creating a draft, I ensure that I thoroughly study the SERPs for that particular topic.
The People Also Ask section of SERP features help me understand the topics that my readers will be interested to read about. This feature can be built up as an H2 heading in a strategic way and will also help in finding more ideas to include in the content.
The process goes like- Research the SERP, note down the People Also Ask ideas, build those up for H2s and you’re done with a batter content outline to be followed. This strategy helps me write the informational content for my website where I have to mention features, advantages, disadvantages and also FAQs at the end of the blog.
Alifiya J
Marketing Associate, Recruit CRM
Igor Volovoy
Elit-Web works to improve content quality by focusing on what users need, in line with Google’s emphasis on helpful and user-focused content.
We make sure our content is relevant and answers the questions users are searching for. This means providing clear, valuable information that engages users and addresses their needs directly.
To measure the effectiveness of content, we look at key metrics like how long users stay on the page, bounce rates, and how they interact with the content.
We also track SEO performance, including organic traffic and search rankings.
By regularly analyzing these factors, Elit-Web fine-tunes its content strategy to ensure it meets both user expectations and search engine guidelines, ultimately improving the quality and results of the content.
Igor Volovoy
CEO, Elit-Web
Lim Berns
I personally do research. It’s simple. As long as people like what I read, I write. I support my writings with facts.
I also make it user-readable.
Of course, I will use AI to write, and it helps to outline main points. I use AI to analyse my competitor websites and formulate similar yet different responses to questions that writers never thought possible.
However, I want to be original in my words.
I use AI for content gap analysis but ensure human-driven editing for depth and nuance, and it does keyword analysis really well.
Lim Berns
Chief Automation Officer, WunderWaffen
Firdaus Sateem
I usually focus on People First Content that are driven by expert insights that genuinely address user needs. Ditch the fluff and get straight to solutions.
Here’s my go-to: every piece of content starts with one question— “What’s actually useful here?” Then, I lean on subject-matter experts to add depth and credibility (because let’s face it, users can smell generic drivel a mile away).
Measuring quality? I look beyond rankings. Metrics like time on page, scroll depth, and repeat visits tell you if your content’s pulling its weight. If readers stick around or come back, you’re doing it right.
Bottom line: write for the real people behind the screen, not some mythical algorithm overlord. Happy users = Happy Google. Simple as that.
On behalf of the BoostMyDomain community of readers, we thank these leaders and experts for taking the time to share valuable insights that stem from years of experience and in-depth expertise in their respective niches.
BoostMyDomain invites you to share your insights and contribute to our authoritative publication. Reach a wider audience, build your credibility, and establish yourself as a thought leader in an industry that caters to every business with an online presence!
