Why is Google so focused on helpful, user-centric content?
And how does this emphasis on quality translate into tangible results for businesses?
In this post, we delve into the “why” behind Google’s algorithm changes and explore the practical implications for content creators and marketers.
We’ve gathered insights from leading SEO and digital marketing experts, as well as business leaders who have successfully adapted to this new landscape.
We asked them to share their go-to strategies for improving and measuring content quality, offering a roadmap for creating content that not only meets Google’s standards but also delivers genuine value to users and drives business growth.
Read on!
Leverage Depth, Relevance, and Engagement
So, Google’s all about helpful, user-focused content these days, right?
At Congruen, we’re totally on board.
Our secret sauce? Making sure everything we create is deeply useful, super relevant, and actually engaging.
Before we even write a word, we dive deep into research to really understand what users are searching for. Then, we make sure the content is easy to read, packed with real-life examples, and constantly updated so it stays fresh.
How do we know if it’s working?
We keep a close eye on things like how long people stick around on the page, whether they bounce right off, and if they actually do something (like sign up or buy).
It’s not just about stuffing keywords anymore – it’s about giving people real value. Basically, we’re obsessed with making our content better.
And guess what? Google loves it!
Raymond Anto
Founder, Congruen
Understanding Intent and Refinement
My strategy to improve and measure content quality centers around understanding user intent and refining content until it fully addresses their needs.
In one instance, I audited a blog post that had strong traffic but low engagement.
After analyzing user behavior, I realized the content was too surface-level and didn’t provide actionable insights. I expanded the post, added real-world examples, and made the information more practical for readers.
To measure quality, I monitor metrics like time on page, scroll depth, and user feedback. For example, when engagement metrics improved significantly on that updated blog post, it confirmed that addressing intent with in-depth, helpful content was the right approach. I also use questions from comments or search queries to continuously adapt the content to evolving user needs.
Through this experience, I’ve learned that quality isn’t just about word count or keyword density—it’s about how well your content helps readers solve problems.
When your focus aligns with their expectations, both the user experience and rankings improve.
Evgeni Asenov
SEO & Content Lead, Resume Mentor
A Human-First Approach
My go-to strategy for improving and measuring content quality is to maintain a humans first approach. Don’t get me wrong I do leverage AI tools for efficiency, but I prioritize crafting content that addresses real user needs and experiences.
This focus has allowed my website to thrive no matter Google’s updates (4+ years), as I continuously adapt my strategies based on engagement metrics (Analytics, Ahrefs, Semrush bla bla, the usual) . By analyzing user interaction data, I can refine my content to ensure it remains relevant and valuable and again Humans first google robots.txt second
A few tips:
1. Match Search Intent – Make sure your content answers what people are actually looking for. Check Google’s search results and tools like Ahrefs to see what’s ranking.
2. Keep It Simple – Write in a way that’s easy to read. Use short sentences, clear words, and avoid stuffing in too many keywords.
3. Use Headings and Lists – Break your content into sections with headings, bullet points, and images to make it easier to scan.
4. Add Internal Links – Link to other pages on your site to help visitors find more useful information and keep them on your site longer.
5. Check Performance – Use Google Search Console to see which pages get clicks and traffic. Update and improve pages based on what’s working.
Marcos Ortiz
Founder, Misaias
Beyond Salesy and Self-Promoted Content
For content marketing SEO is only growing in importance.
Content quality/length matter for rankings so web pages that contain long high-quality content get more visibility and shares. Becoming that trusted source and influencer with timely and helpful answers to questions gets rewarded quickly.
Search engines notice when sites publish consistently/can see how long people stay so building a strong reputation as a site that informs/educates pays off in higher organic search results.
If content is too salesy/self-promoting it gets ignored.
Mobile UX determines your ranking too, using the right keywords for video descriptions/headlines ensures you do better in searches.
It does not take much time to repackage articles that contain outdated information or update your keywords, the possibilities are endless and pay off quickly with increased traffic and engagement.
Refreshing existing content from prior years you not only maximize your previous investment but the traffic drives the rankings too.
Paige Arnof-Fenn
Founder & CEO, Mavens & Moguls
Focus on User Intent and Feedback
To improve and measure content quality, my go-to strategy is focusing on user intent and making sure our content answers specific questions in a comprehensive, clear, and engaging way.
I regularly review user feedback, engagement metrics, and keyword performance to see if the content is meeting their needs.
Additionally, I use tools like Google Analytics to track bounce rates and time on page, which help gauge how helpful and relevant the content is to users.
John Frigo
eCommerce Manager, Best Price Nutrition
Use Bounce Rate and On-Page Time
It’s more of a metric than a strategy, but I still use bounce rate and on-page time as kind of ‘all encompassing’ metrics to tell me if my content is actually helpful for the user or not. It’s pretty simple. If your site has a high bounce rate, the user thinks your content sucks. If the bounce rate is lower and your on-page time is higher, it means you are doing good work and simply need to multiply your efforts.
It may sound clichéd, but when it comes to producing content, you have to actually put yourself in the reader’s shoes and have empathy for what they are trying to learn.
If you don’t clearly understand the intent behind someone who’s coming to your site to find what they need, you’ll produce content that simply doesn’t resonate with them and they’ll BOUNCE.
You’ll end up with a content and traffic mismatch. If that happens, you will see it manifest in the bounce rate and your on-page times. These are two main things I look at to understand how much my content is resonating with my site visitors.
Mike Bonadio
Owner, Mike Bonadio
Craft Content Based on Audience Research
My strategy to improve content quality in response to Google’s emphasis on helpful, user-centric content involves a multi-faceted approach starting with thorough audience research.
I focus on understanding what questions my audience is asking, what solutions they need, and how they prefer to consume content. Based on these insights, I craft content that directly addresses these needs, ensuring it’s informative, engaging, and easy to digest.
This includes using clear language, providing actionable insights, and incorporating visual aids like infographics or videos where appropriate.
I also prioritize updating content regularly to keep it relevant and accurate, which involves revisiting old posts to add new information or adjust for changes in industry standards.
To measure content quality, I leverage both qualitative and quantitative metrics.
On the qualitative side, I use user feedback through comments, social media interactions, and surveys to gauge how well the content meets user expectations.
Quantitatively, I track metrics like time on page, bounce rate, and conversion rates to see if users are engaging with the content as intended. Additionally, I monitor organic search performance, looking at rankings for targeted keywords and changes in traffic patterns post-publication or updates.
Tools like Google Analytics for behavior analysis, Search Console for SEO insights, and even A/B testing for content variations help in refining content further based on performance data, ensuring it aligns with Google’s standards for user-centric content.
Deliver Expertise with Real-World Data
Google’s helpful content update is going to be a paradigm shift.
Thin, generic content is dead while precision and authority will be in demand.
Our strategy revolves around delivering the highest level of expertise. We embed firsthand insights, real-world data, and expert commentary into every piece.
We’ve also ditched surface-level metrics. We focus on engagement signals. Scroll depth, dwell time, and return visits.
The message is clear. Google isn’t rewarding content that mimics expertise. It’s elevating content that is expertise.
Adapt or disappear.
David Holman
CEO, Weepli
Address User Needs, Not Just Keywords
I’ve learned that the key to creating truly helpful content is focusing on what people actually need, not just ranking for keywords.
Before writing, I ask myself: Why is someone searching for this? What problem are they trying to solve? By understanding their intent, I can create clear, actionable content that answers their questions directly.
To measure quality, I go beyond just tracking traffic.
I look at how long people stay, how much they read, and whether they engage. I also pay close attention to comments, social media discussions, and direct feedback, since real user responses tell me more than any analytics tool.
By constantly refining my content based on real interactions, I make sure it’s not just optimized for Google, but genuinely useful to the people reading it.
Shankar Subba
Head of SEO, WP Creative
Create Value-Adding User-Centric Content
In response to Google’s emphasis on helpful, user-centric content, our strategy focuses on creating content that genuinely adds value to the user experience.
We prioritize understanding the needs and preferences of our audience, conducting thorough research, and providing clear, actionable information that solves their problems.
To improve content quality, we continuously assess the relevance and depth of our posts, ensuring they align with user intent and are easy to read and navigate. We also keep an eye on emerging trends and adjust our content to stay current.
When it comes to measuring quality, we rely on a mix of user engagement metrics, like time on page, bounce rates, and social shares, along with feedback from our audience.
Additionally, we track search rankings and organic traffic to gauge how well our content is resonating with users and performing on search engines.
Kay Velik
Communications and Partnership Director, Nine Peaks Media
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!
