E‑E‑A‑T Framework Explained: What Google Wants
Create a content audit that flags YMYL pages, verify HTTPS and privacy policy, gather author credentials, build high‑quality backlinks, and update editorial guidelines to align with E‑E‑A‑T.
Create a content audit that flags YMYL pages, verify HTTPS and privacy policy, gather author credentials, build high‑quality backlinks, and update editorial guidelines to align with E‑E‑A‑T.
Summary
Google’s Quality Rater Guidelines now use the E‑E‑A‑T framework, adding an extra "Experience" dimension in December 2022 to better evaluate content quality. The framework is especially strict for YMYL topics—health, finance, legal—where low E‑E‑A‑T can trigger algorithmic penalties. Trustworthiness requires HTTPS, a clear privacy policy, and accurate contact information, while expertise can be shown through credentials or practitioner language. Authoritativeness is measured by backlink quantity and quality, with tools like Semrush Authority Score providing actionable insights. Content must be fact‑checked, updated regularly, and adhere to editorial standards to align with E‑E‑A‑T and improve both search rankings and AI answer inclusion.
Key changes
- E‑E‑A‑T added an extra "Experience" dimension in Dec 2022
- YMYL topics require higher E‑E‑A‑T standards
- Google uses Quality Rater Guidelines to assess E‑E‑A‑T
- Trustworthiness includes HTTPS, privacy policy, and accurate contact info
- Expertise can be demonstrated via credentials or practitioner language
- Authoritativeness measured by backlink quantity/quality via Semrush Authority Score
- Content must be fact‑checked and updated regularly
- Use editorial standards and style guide to maintain consistency