Getting your website to rank well on Google is important if you want more traffic and leads. Being on the first page of search results is good, but the top spot is what every business wants. To reach that level, you need to use smart strategies, and one of them is Google’s E-E-A-T model , which stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. E-E-A-T model isn’t a direct ranking factor, but Google uses it to judge the quality of your content, which strongly affects how high it can rank. In this blog, we’ll explain E-E-A-T (and YMYL), how AI impacts search, and ways to improve them for better SEO.
What is E-E-A-T Model?
Google first introduced E-A-T, which stood for Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. In 2022, they added another “E” for Experience to also value real-world knowledge in content ranking.
E-E-A-T is part of Google’s Search Quality Rater Guidelines, where human evaluators (called quality raters) review content based on page quality, how well it understands user needs, and how effectively it meets those needs.
To improve how search engines view your content, it’s essential to use the right technical foundations too—such as structured data in SEO. If you want expert help building your site’s E-E-A-T, consider working with the best SEO agencies in Delhi NCR or a reputable SEO company in Faridabad, as well as leading agencies in Chennai, Kolkata, Mohali, Pune, Ahmedabad, and more, to ensure your content ranks with credibility
Their feedback helps Google check if algorithm updates are working as intended.
Now, let’s break down each part of E-E-A-T in detail.
E – Experience
This looks at whether the writer has real, first-hand experience with the topic. For example, a product review is more trustworthy if it’s written by someone who has actually used the product. On Medium, for instance, an author shares apps he personally uses to make his daily life easier.
E – Expertise
This checks if the writer has the right knowledge or skills to talk about the topic. For example, when it comes to fixing a leak, people would rather trust advice from a plumber than from someone with little experience. A good example is a DMI podcast with Rand Fishkin, who shares expert insights on understanding an audience.
A – Authoritativeness
This asks whether the website or page is recognized as a reliable source on the topic. For example, if someone wants to know the latest current fashion trends, they are more likely to trust Vogue than a personal fashion blog.
T – Trustworthiness
Trust is the most important part of E-E-A-T. When checking for trustworthiness, raters look at the author, the content, and the website itself. That’s why it’s important to use accurate facts, have a credible author, and include reliable references. High-authority sites like The New York Times are good examples of trustworthy sources.
It’s also important that the website itself is trustworthy. For example, shopping sites should be secure, and all websites should clearly mention data privacy rules. A good example is TechCrunch, which shares its privacy and cookie policy on the site.
Why E-E-A-T Model Is Important
Google and other search engines aim to show content that people find useful and reliable. Their goal is to give users a good experience with trustworthy answers, so people keep coming back to use them. This is why Google makes regular algorithm updates, introduced its AI-powered Search Generative Experience (SGE), and added “Experience” to E-E-A-T.
ClipsTrust identifies that according to Google’s guidelines, Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) are key factors in rating page quality, with Trustworthiness being the most important. At its core, E-E-A-T focuses on content that Google considers reliable because it combines expertise, experience, and authority.
As Luke O’Leary, VP at Neil Patel Digital, explained in a recent DMI podcast: “Google added ‘Experience’ because they don’t want to recommend low-quality websites—it affects their own reputation.”
(This content is written after researching and studying insights from top 12 authoritative sources, including Semrush, Search Engine Journal, and Neil Patel.)
Understanding E-E-A-T Model in Digital Marketing
For digital marketers who want to stay ahead of the competition, understanding the E-E-A-T framework -Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness — is very important. This framework plays a big role in modern marketing strategies. It focuses on creating content that shows real-life experience and highlights the author’s professional knowledge.
E-E-A-T model is especially important for websites and pages related to YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) topics, where accuracy and trust value most. Today, marketers can use AI tools for digital marketing to improve the quality of their content and make it more trustworthy.
If someone is looking for a digital marketing job, knowing the E-E-A-T principles is a must. Businesses can also follow these policies by using the best digital marketing tools for lead generation and working with a verified digital marketing agency or hiring an experienced digital marketer. This ensures that their marketing campaigns are fully E-E-A-T compliant and more effective.
What’s the Difference Between E-E-A-T and E-A-T Model?
In December 2022, Google updated E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) to E-E-A-T by adding another “E” for “Experience.”
This change was made so Quality Raters could better judge the quality of search results, as first-hand experience makes content more reliable and useful. For example, a product review is more trustworthy if the reviewer has actually used the product.
Aspect | E-A-T | E-E-A-T |
Full Form | Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness | Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness |
Introduced | 2014 | 2022 (Google’s update) |
Core Elements | 3 factors: Knowledge, Authority, Trust | 4 factors: Real-life Experience + Knowledge + Authority + Trust |
Primary Focus | Professional expertise and credibility | Adds authenticity through first-hand experience |
Trustworthiness | The ultimate goal of E-A-T | Still the most important factor, supported by Experience |
Content Example | A certified doctor writing a health article | A patient sharing personal recovery story (Experience) + doctor verifying info (Expertise) |
SEO Impact | Rewards content with authority & credibility | Rewards content with authentic + relatable + authoritative value |
Best Use Case | Topics requiring professional expertise | Topics where personal experience matters (travel, health, reviews, tutorials) |
Why Is E-E-A-T Model Important for SEO?
E-E-A-T is important for Search engine Optimization because it helps you create engaging content that ranks well on Google and is valuable for users. It’s not a direct ranking factor, but improving it brings your content closer to what Google considers a high-quality search result.
Experience
At First-hand experience subject matter allows you to provide the following
- Tried-and-tested advice
- Authentic insights
- Unique opinions
This makes your content more unique and trustworthy. For example, if someone reviews a game without actually playing it, users won’t believe their opinion—and Google is unlikely to rank that review highly.
Expertise
Expertise means having the right knowledge, skills, or qualifications on a topic. For example, a health article that is reviewed by a doctor is more trustworthy, so users are more likely to believe it-and Google may rank it higher.
The amount of expertise needed depends on the topic. For example, someone searching for money-saving tips may not only want advice from financial experts. On the other hand , they may prefer real-life strategies that worked for ordinary people. That’s why pages on platforms like Reddit often rank well- they combine real experiences with practical advice.
Authoritativeness
Authoritativeness is about your reputation as a trusted source. Google measures this by checking backlinks to all the links from other websites to yours. The more high-quality and relevant backlinks you have, the more authoritative your site looks.
For example, WebMD is a leading medical site with backlinks from over 616,000 domains, including trusted names like Apple.com and BBC.com.
Trustworthiness
Trustworthiness is built on experience, expertise, and authoritativeness, but it also means keeping users safe and confident when using your site.
To build trust, So, you should ensure that:
- Your website is secure
- Your content is accurate, honest, and updated
- Users can easily get support if needed
- You show certifications or credentials where relevant
For example, AnnualCreditReport.com is the only site authorized by the FTC to provide free credit reports. It takes strong security measures to protect users, which helps it earn a high level of trust.
Top 5 Ways to Improve E-E-A-T Model
When it comes to ranking on Google, the quality of your content is just as important as technical setup, link building, and keyword optimization. If your website meets Google’s standards, you have a much better chance of ranking higher in search results and getting more organic traffic.
Here are the some ways through which you can improve the overall E-E-A-T Score are as follows:
- Create author pages with bios, topics expertise, photos, and social media links
- Add clear contact details and an address on the About Us page
- Link your content to trusted sources and include correct truths
- Build your online reputation, for example, by creating a Wikipedia page
- Gain backlinks from high-quality sites to strengthen your domain authority
E-E-A-T Model Checklist Benefits
When we create content, it is very important to make the website look faithful and authoritative. Use this checklist to boost your online presence as follows:
- Update the Information Regularly, which helps to keep your content fresh, especially if it’s time-sensitive.
- Add a detailed description of the author bios with links to their other work.
- Use only reliable and trustworthy reference sources.
- Earn trust by being consistent and dependable.
- Make sure that your site works smoothly and looks professional, especially on mobile devices.
- Write long-form content to show your expertise & improve SEO.
- Showcase guest blogs, reviews, and social media posts.
- Get links from reputable websites to boost authority.
E-E-A-T Model Framework for Content Excellence
Content creators need to hold by the E-E-A-T Model to grow in today’s digital geography. Understanding which YouTube content is most watched reveals that authentic ,genuine, experience- driven content constantly outperforms the generic material. Here this framework that aligns perfectly with why is content marketing important principles, & emphasize credibility over promotion.
Modern companies realise that professional content marketing agencies leverage E-E-A-T criteria to build authority and trust. The model especially benefits skilled content writers who combine first-hand experience with proven expertise.
How to Demonstrate E-E-A-T Model For Your Brand
To show a strong level of E-E-A-T, brands and creators should focus on all four parts.
- Experience: Prove that your content is made by people with real, first-hand experience on the topic. You can do this through author bios, behind-the-scenes content, or by directly sharing personal experiences in the content.
- Expertise: Show your knowledge of the subject through detailed and accurate content. Highlight author credentials and support your work with trusted sources and studies.
- Authoritativeness: Build your authority by regularly publishing quality content, earning mentions from respected websites, and strengthening your reputation in the industry.
- Trustworthiness: Be open about who creates your content, give clear contact and support details, maintain a good reputation, and follow honest content practices.
Best Practices For the E-E-A-T Model In Your Content
Now that you know E-E-A-T isn’t about food but about Google’s algorithm, it’s clear why it’s so important for your website. By focusing on experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness, you’re taking a complete approach to SEO and content marketing. Think of these four pillars as the foundation that supports the credibility and long-term success of your content.
Let these four pillars of E-E-A-T boost the credibility of your content. After all these, your goal is not just to rank on Google for the most relevant search terms; you want your pages to rank on Google for the most relevant search terms in your niche.
Here are some ways if you apply these E-E-A-T practices it will make your website more faithful:
1. Create a Strong About Page: If you don’t already have one, build an About page that clearly shows who you are, your expertise, and why people should trust you. It will add transparency and credibility.
2. Collaborate with Experts: Team up with other believable voices in your slot through visitor posts, research, or interviews. Google favors content created or approved by recognized experts.
3. Refresh and Update Your Content: Content gets outdated quickly. Regularly re-examine your posts to update stats, links, and SEO strategies so your site remains suitable and faithful.
13 Actual Ways to Build and Demonstrate E-E-A-T Model
1. Use Experts and People with Firsthand Experience
Choose the right authors for your content. Ideally, pick someone in your company who knows the topic well and has real experience with it. Ask yourself:
- Who on our team is most experienced in this topic?
- Who should be our spokesperson for this subject?
- Who can regularly share helpful insights and opinions?
Suppose more than one person fits great! Use them all where relevant.
2. Go Beyond What’s Already Online
Most content on Google repeats the same ideas—this is called copycat content. To stand out and show authority, you need to add something new, called information gain.
Here are some ways to do this include:
- Sharing your Original data, surveys, or research from your own experiments
- Writing First-person case studies with specific results and screenshots
- Adding Expert quotes and insights not found in competing articles
- Creating original methods, frameworks, processes, or step-by-step methodologies
- Sharing personal stories, mistakes, and lessons learned that others haven’t shared
After keeping all these points it will make your content more valuable and trustworthy.
3. Strengthen Entity Signals
Google uses entity signals to understand what your content is about and how it connects to known topics, brands, and people.
Here are some ways mentioned below to optimize commodity signals:
- Use related terms (e.g., alongside “SEO,” include “search engine optimization,” “organic traffic,” “SERP rankings,” “keyword research”).
- Write SPO statements (Subject–Predicate–Object), such as: “Yoast develops SEO plugins for WordPress.” This helps Google map relationships.
- It builds strong author pages and links related content internally.
- It highlights your unique methods, frameworks, or branded terms across pages, schema, and media mentions.
This creates a more transparent “entity map” for Google, boosting authority.
4. Create a Good Brand Reputation
A positive brand reputation is a way through which people trust you.
On the other hand, if your brand has negative feedback, this can make you untrustworthy.
Hence, your reputation directly affects how much people and Google trust you.
Steps to upgrade it:
- Deliver excellent products, services, and customer experiences first.
- Collect all the reviews from our satisfied customers.
- Inspire feedback on trusted platforms like Google Business Profile, Trustpilot, and Yelp etc.
- Showcase your reviews on your site to support credibility.
A strong reputation not only earns trust but also improves visibility in search results.
5. Get Featured in the Press
Having others talk about your brand is just as powerful as promoting yourself. This is called digital PR.
It profits by:
- Building trust through mentions in respected publications
- Making your brand easier to remember when people are ready to buy
- Bringing more visibility through backlinks and media exposure
Constant exposure in trusted places strengthens both your standing and search rankings.
6. Build Brand Salience (Not Just Awareness)
Another way to build E-E-A-T? Work on building your brand salience.
Brand salience refers to when your brand comes to mind instantly when people are ready to buy. For example:
- Starbucks = coffee
- Kleenex = tissues
- Google = search
These brands don’t just have awareness-they are remembered at the exact point of purchase.
In SEO, strong brand salience helps you get more branded searches, direct visits, engagement, and backlinks. All of these are signals Google uses to identify trustworthy brands.
How to build brand salience:
- Use the same visuals, taglines, and style everywhere so people recognize you quickly.
- If you sell SaaS for consultants, create content like “Best SEO Tools for Agencies” that manages decision-making points.
- Show up in search results, social media, inboxes, industry forums, and conversations your audience trusts.
The more often people see and recall your brand in the proper context, the stronger your brand salience becomes.
7. Make Author Information Clear and Accessible
Users are easily able to see who created a piece of content.
This could be one author or many. They should also see the authors’ backgrounds. Transparency builds trust and directly boosts the E-E-A-T model.
To reach this:
- Creates a True Author Profile Page
- Build complete author profile pages that go beyond a simple list of posts. Which includes:
- Who they are
- A profile picture
- What their experience is
- What are their areas of expertise?
- How to contact them
- The posts they’ve authored
- Examples of where they’ve been featured in the press
This practice not only improves transparency but also positions your content as appropriate, faithful, and expert-driven in your niche.
8. Improve Your About Us Page
Your About Us page is where you tell your brand’s story.
Google’s Quality Rater Guidelines suggest starting here to understand who runs the website or creates the content.
This page should clearly explain who you are, your background, and what makes you different from others.
9. Show Basic Business Trust Factors
Make & ensure that your website has these basics concepts that people wants to see, such as:
- Terms and conditions
- Privacy policy
- Returns policy
- Shipping details
- Delivery data
10. Improve Your Website’s Technical Setup
There are some ways in which your website is built that affect how much people and Google trust it.
1. HTTPS Security: Always use SSL (HTTPS); users are unlikely to trust you. Check your site if it doesn’t show “https://” with a lock symbol, people may not feel safe.
2. Site Speed: Always ensure that your site loads fast ideally under 3 seconds on the desktop and mobile by compressing the images, decreasing unnecessary plugins, and using a CDN to speed things up.
3. Mobile-Friendly Design: Make sure that your site works smoothly on phones and tablets. And the text should be easy to read, the buttons should be easy to tap, & menus should work smoothly.
4. Pure Navigation: Create & Keep your site structure clear with menu categories, breadcrumbs, and links between related pages. By doing that, visitors should reach any page within 3–4 clicks from the homepage.
11. Mention Sources in Your Content
Mention sources in your content. Connect out to them, too.
It’s sometimes hard to trust claims, statistics, or facts discovered online. This is usually because there’s no explicit reference to where the information came from.
Are the details from your data? Make it clear.
For example, this Semrush study on Google’s AI mode includes a detailed “Methodology” section that explains exactly what was analysed.
12. Use Your Photographs and Video Content
How can you show that you have experienced the thing you are writing about? Use your photos, videos, or other media.
13. Keep Your Content Updated
A head on a subject would not allow its content to become outdated.
A page that has not been edited recently is likely to contain old or incorrect information.
Review your site’s content regularly and update it as new information becomes available on a topic. Usually, we aim to review content at least once a year (ideally every six months).
3 Examples Of Websites Demonstrating E-E-A-T Model
1.Dogster: Dogster.com is a powerful example of a website that shows the principle of E-E-A-T in many other ways:
- Experience: Many articles have been written by authors with related credentials & experiences, such as Certified dog trainers and other canine experts. Here, the content is informed by real-world personal experience.
- Expertise: The intensity of the topics covered, ranging from dog health & nutrition to breeds & training, suggests a high level of subject matter expertise. Here, the site provides detailed, informative content that addresses common queries & concerns.
- Authoritativeness: Dogster.com’s standing as a top resource for dog owners, its use of talented authors,& its power to secure interviews with well-recognised figures in the dog world lend it authority within its niche.
- Trustworthiness: The site provides transparent author bylines, links to additional resources,& disclaimers where applicable.
2. GadgetMates: It is an outstanding example of a site that proves E-E-A-T for many causes:
- Experience: Established an electronic repair centre with brick-and-mortar locations in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada. Its team first experienced repairing iPads, computers, and game consoles.
- Expertise: The site’s vast knowledge base of articles, guides, and tips displays in-depth, specialised knowledge about electronic devices, repairs, and interconnected topics.
- Authoritativeness: GadgetMates is a trusted local repair shop with 5-star reviews on Google and Yelp. It’s known as one of the best places in the area for repairing valuable devices, and customers rely on it due to its strong reputation and expertise.
- Trustworthiness: GadgetMates demonstrates its trustworthiness through customer reviews, precise contact details, an “About Us” page, a privacy policy, warranties, and testimonials. They also offer free diagnostics, demonstrating their commitment to helping customers rather than just making a profit.
3. Homesteading Family: Homesteading Family is another good example of a site that reduces the E-E-A-T for the following reasons:
- Experience: Josh and Carolyn Thomas, the site’s developers, live a self-supported homesteading lifestyle on their 40-acre property in Idaho. Additionally, they grow, maintain, and cook most of their food for their family of 11, which makes their direction and information highly credible.
- Expertise: The blog posts, which feature videos, recipes, and classes, display a deep knowledge of homesteading skills.
- Authoritativeness: Over time, the site has built strong authority in the homesteading space. With a large-scale library of in-depth content, an engaged society built on major media outlets, a popular YouTube channel, & a podcast, the brand is well-established as a trustworthy resource for this lifestyle.
- Trustworthiness: There are many other factors that indicate our site is reliable and trustworthy. The creators openly share their identity images & their stories. The about page provides background information, and a clear & transparent contact page is provided, which helps also to build trust with the audience.
What Hurts Your E-E-A-T Model
According to Google’s Quality Rater Guidelines, low-quality pages are those with little to no E-E-A-T. Even if the rest of your site looks fine, this can seriously hurt your credibility.
Here are some common mistakes that can damage or hurt E-E-A-T as follows:
- Publishing low-quality content that lacks originality, effort, or real value
- Using exaggerated, clickbait, or misleading titles
- Having a negative reputation online
- Providing too little information about the author or site
- Overloading pages with ads or distracting extras that take attention away from the main content
- Lacking outside validation (like backlinks or mentions), which makes it harder for Google to see you as an authority
What Are the Quality Rater Guidelines and Why Are They Closely Linked to E-E-A-T Model ?
Google first mentioned E-A-T in its Quality Rater Guidelines back in 2014. These guidelines provide detailed instructions for search evaluators (or “quality raters”) to help them assess how search results perform after Google updates its algorithms. While people often refer to the document as “Quality Rater Guidelines,” Google’s official name for it is the “Search Quality Rater Guidelines” or simply the “General Guidelines.”
The Core Principle Elements of E-E-A-T Model
Element | What It Means | Why It Matters |
Experience | Showing real, firsthand experience with the topic | Proves content is practical, tested, and based on reality, not just theory |
Expertise | Demonstrating knowledge, skill, and qualifications in the subject | Builds confidence that the advice or info is accurate and reliable |
Authoritativeness | Being recognized as a trusted source by others (mentions, links, media) | Signals that the creator or site is a leading voice in its field |
Trustworthiness | Being honest, transparent, and safe for users (reviews, policies, accuracy) | The most important factor—people and Google trust your content and brand |
E-E-A-T Model Checker Meaning
An E-E-A-T Model Checker is a tool or method used to review whether content demonstrates Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness, thereby helping to improve credibility and search visibility.
Succeed with E-E-A-T Model in Current Year
E-E-A-T stands as the key to getting top rankings in Google search in 2025.
Use our easy guide to show Google (and your readers) your experience, expertise, authority, and trust.
Is the E-E-A-T Model More Important for Some Organizations Than Others?
Organization Type | E-E-A-T Importance | Why It Matters |
Medical / Health Sites | Very High | Users’ well-being depends on accurate info; Google scrutinizes YMYL content |
Financial / Legal Sites | Very High | Advice affects money or legal decisions; trust and expertise are critical |
News / Media Sites | High | Accuracy and credibility build authority with readers |
E-commerce / Retail Sites | Medium | Trust matters for purchases, reviews, and secure transactions |
Hobbies / Lifestyle Blogs | Medium to Low | Errors are less risky; experience and authenticity improve engagement |
Personal Opinion / Entertainment | Low | Less impact on user safety; credibility mainly affects audience loyalty |
1. Can You Use AI to Optimize for E-E-A-T?
Currently, AI tools like Gemini, Claude, ChatGPT, and Deep Seek are revolutionising the internet. Because these tools can generate a large amount of content quickly, it’s essential to assess how they align with E-E-A-T principles.
2. Can AI show real experience?
Not really. AI doesn’t have real-life experiences—it only mimics human responses using the training data it has been given. Experience comes from firsthand involvement, emotions, and actions, which AI can’t have.
Sometimes, AI content even falsely claims experiences—for example, Google’s Bard once fabricated interactions with restaurant customers. AI can imitate human experiences, but it can’t truly have them.
3. Can AI prove expertise?
No. AI doesn’t have degrees, work experience, or professional credentials. It can create detailed content from its training data, but it doesn’t gain real-world expertise.
For example, a lawyer who used ChatGPT for legal research found that the AI had generated incorrect court citations.
Businesses in sensitive areas like healthcare or finance should be very careful with AI content and always fact-check it.
4. Can AI prove authoritativeness?
Not really. Authority stems from recognition by others—such as citations, backlinks, and expert endorsements. AI can’t earn this on its own. Brands should rely on human-led strategies to build authority, such as guest posts, expert testimonials, and media coverage.
5. Can AI prove trustworthiness?
Not reliably. AI can make mistakes, spread misinformation, or show bias. Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines emphasise the importance of transparency in AI-generated content.
To maintain trustworthiness, publishers should disclose when AI is used and have humans carefully review all AI-generated content for accuracy.
Is the E-E-A-T Model a Ranking Factor?
E-E-A-T isn’t a direct Google ranking factor for SEO, but it’s an essential part of Google’s Search Quality Rater Guidelines.Real people, called Quality Raters, use these guidelines to assess the quality of web pages. They don’t set rankings themselves, but their feedback helps Google improve search results and see how pages perform after algorithm updates.
What is YMYL?
Another necessary concept to know alongside E-E-A-T is “Your Money or Your Life” (YMYL). Google considers a page YMYL if its content could affect a person’s happiness, health, finances, or safety. This includes topics like news, finance, management, law, health, safety, and shopping.
Examples of YMYL content are: filling out a tax form, saving for retirement, or treating a heavy illness like bowel cancer.
Understanding Each Part of the E-A-T Acronym
Letter | Meaning | Simple Explanation |
E | Expertise | Shows knowledge, skills, and qualifications in the topic |
A | Authoritativeness | Indicates recognition from others, like backlinks, media mentions, or expert endorsements |
T | Trustworthiness | Demonstrates honesty, transparency, and reliability through accurate, safe content |
Case Studies: E-E-A-T Model in Action
Now that you understand E-E-A-T and why it matters, let’s see some real-world examples.
These stand brands that have reached the top of their industries by consistently maintaining strong E-E-A-T are as follows:
1. Dogster
In the pet world, Dogster is a trusted authority on dogs. Its articles cover health, nutrition, exercise, and breeds, and the site connects readers with its experienced veterinarian.
Thanks to its expertise, experience, and authority, Dogster is regarded as highly responsible and committed to providing dog owners with the best advice.
2. Mayo Clinic
The Mayo Clinic website is a highly trusted source for medical information, comparable to WebMD. It offers patients access to care at its clinics and features a huge library of articles on nearly every health topic.
3. Investopedia
Investopedia is a trusted website for financial information. Users can learn about various financial topics, follow the latest news, make investment decisions, and even use the site’s Stock Market Simulator.
Google’s New E-E-A-T Model
Google recently updated its Search Quality Rater instructions, placing more emphasis on first-hand experience than ever before. The guidelines now include new criteria for evaluating a carrier’s authority and revise the E-A-T model by adding a new “E” for Experience, making it E-E-A-T:
- Experience: How much first-hand or life experience the content creator has in the topic.
- Expertise: The author’s skill, knowledge, or capabilities on the topic.
- Authoritativeness: The image of the author or website as a trusted source.
- Trustworthiness: How accurate, honest, safe, and reliable the page is.
Google also added more guidance on assessing a content creator’s expertise when reviewing pages.
How E-E-A-T Model Algorithm Changed Over Time
Google introduced E-A-T in its 2014 Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines. These guidelines help human raters judge the quality of search results using consistent standards. At that time, Experience was not included in the model.
The goal of E-A-T is to highlight content from credible, knowledgeable, and reliable sources. It focuses on three main things:
- Expertise: Does the author know the subject?
- Authoritativeness: Is the content recognised or referenced by others in the field?
- Trustworthiness: Can users rely on the information?
Influence of the Medic Update
The E-A-T model gained widespread recognition in 2018 following Google’s core algorithm update on August 1, known as the Medic update among the SEO community. It mainly affected health and wellness websites, especially those without clear credentials or expert authors. Pages with weak authority or trust signals lost rankings, while trusted sites improved.
Google didn’t officially label it an E-A-T update, but it did show a growing focus on high-quality content, especially for Your Money or Your Life (YMYL) topics.
Shift to E-E-A-T Model in 2022
In December 2022, Google changed its guidelines to add a fourth quality signal-Experience, expanding the model to E-E-A-T. This update identified that first-hand involvement could improve the value of content as follows:
- Writing a review after using a product
- Describing a visit to a location
- Sharing knowledge from hands-on work
This change highlighted that personal experience can be as helpful, or even more relevant, than formal expertise in certain types of content, such as product reviews, local guides, or user forums.
Trust as the Core of E-E-A-T
With E-E-A-T, Google highlights Trust as the most important factor. Even if content shows strong experience, expertise, or authority, it can still rank poorly without trustworthiness.
The first three factors support trust, but trust itself drives the quality of content.
This change reflects Google’s goal to reduce misinformation and promote safe, accurate, and helpful content in search results
As an Author or Publisher, Can You Also Be Rated Well in Terms of E-E-A-T Model in Multiple Areas?
A common question is whether someone can show authority, expertise, and trust in multiple subjects. The answer is: it depends.
E-E-A-T is topic-specific, so it’s possible to rank well in different but related areas. However, building authority in very different fields—such as being an SEO expert and a psychologist—can be challenging. You’d need to create separate identities with clearly segmented content, profiles, and digital representations for each area.
Proven Tips For Achieving Google’s E-E-A-T Model Success in SEO
1. Target users’ search queries: Do keyword research to find the words and phrases people use when searching. Check how often these terms are searched each month and how competitive they are.
2. Keep your content up to date: Google values fresh, original, high-quality content. Create a plan to develop new E-E-A-T content and update existing pages regularly.
3. Focus on user intent and behaviour: Don’t just include keywords—give visitors the best answers and experience, such as helpful FAQs.
4. E-E-A-T for YMYL topics: For “Your Money or Your Life” pages (health, finance, safety, or happiness), high knowledge and credibility are essential. Ensure your content is accurate and trustworthy.
5. About Us page: Clearly state who owns and operates your website. This builds trust and aligns with Google’s quality guidelines.
6. Include on-site reviews: Display user reviews to build trust with visitors and search engines. You can also display reviews from third-party sites, such as Trustpilot.
7. Get high-quality backlinks: Always link to the source when citing facts or statistics. This shows users that your information is accurate. Additionally, try to obtain links from reputable websites within your industry and remove any low-quality or harmful backlinks.
Google’s Search Quality Rater Guidelines?
The Search Quality Rater Guidelines is a book for Google’s roughly 16,000 contractors from around the world who review live and practical search results. Additionally, these Quality Raters review live and test search results, evaluating websites and search engine results pages (SERPs) based on page rate, E-E-A-T, and how well the content satisfies users’ queries.
For example, if a user is deciding whether to trust a website to buy an iPhone, Quality Raters evaluate the site and give feedback on its reliability and trustworthiness.
E-E-A-T Signals for Google: 8 Elements to Add to Site Pages
Element | Description |
Author Bio / About Page | Shows who created the content and their credentials, building trust and expertise. |
Contact Information | Provides clear ways to contact the business, signaling transparency and trustworthiness. |
High-Quality Content | Original, well-researched, and valuable content demonstrating knowledge and experience. |
User Reviews / Testimonials | Builds trust by showing real feedback from customers or users. |
Citations / References | Linking to authoritative sources enhances credibility and authoritativeness. |
Secure Website (HTTPS) | Shows that the site is safe and trustworthy for users. |
Editorial Guidelines / Policies | Clear policies, disclaimers, and privacy statements boost trust and reliability. |
External Recognition / Backlinks | Mentions, media coverage, or links from reputable sites strengthen authority. |
Survey & Reviews OF E-E-A-T MODEL
- About 85% of SEO professionals say sites that follow E-E-A-T rank higher in Google search results.
- Around 78% report that adding first-hand experience (the extra “E”) improves content credibility.
- Roughly 70% note that ignoring E-E-A-T, especially on YMYL pages, can result in lower rankings or reduced user trust.
Overall, most experts agree that E-E-A-T is a key factor for creating high-quality, trustworthy content.
Final Thoughts: Level Up Your Website’s E-E-A-T Score
E-E-A-T is something every marketer and business owner should pay attention to. If you want your website to rank well, you need to follow best practices—especially for YMY topics, like health, finance, or safety. A strong E-E-A-T score is essential for standing out in today’s competitive online world. By using all these pro tips noted in this guide, you can start improving your website’s search engine ranking.
If managing E-E-A-T feels too complicated, you can work with Digital Guider SEO experts. They offer strategies like quality scope writing, local SEO, technical SEO, and online reputation management to help you build and maintain a strong E-E-A-T presence.
Elevate Your E-E-A-T with Social and YouTube Mastery
To truly embrace the E-E-A-T model—Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness—you must pair trustworthy content with a powerful digital presence. Start by mastering how to manage a social media account for business and understanding how to become a social media influencer.
Monetising your audience becomes even more effective when you know how to earn money from social media platforms. Aligning your mission with a social activist voice adds depth and credibility to your message. On YouTube, collaborating with the best YouTube marketing agency in India, utilising keyword research tools for YouTube, understanding which YouTube content is most watched, and learning how to increase YouTube Shorts views and rank YouTube videos will round out your strategy—making your brand both visible and trusted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What does the E-E-A-T Model stand for?
E-E-A-T stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Google uses these factors to measure the quality of a webpage. In 2022, Google added Experience as a new factor, highlighting the value of first-hand knowledge.
Q2: How can I ensure my content follows E-E-A-T Model?
To follow E-E-A-T, focus on publishing original, accurate, and high-quality content in your niche. Review Google’s Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines and update your site regularly. Highlight your expertise, real experience, and author credibility, and make sure your site clearly shows who you are, why you’re trustworthy, and how users can contact you.
Q3:How does E-E-A-T help my SEO efforts?
E-A-T—now E-E-A-T—signals assist in determining if a site and its pages are reputable sources of information on a subject and offer actual value to users.
Q4: Is E-E-A-T Model still relevant?
Yes, E-E-A-T remains highly relevant in SEO. Google continues to refine its algorithms to prioritize high-quality, trustworthy content. With the rise of AI-generated content and misinformation, E-E-A-T principles have become even more critical for ensuring credibility and ranking well in search results.
Q5: How can I improve the authority of my website?
To improve the authority of your website, focus on building in-depth “About Us” pages, gathering social proof such as reviews or testimonials, increasing traffic and engagement, using brand SERP features, building backlinks from high-quality domains, and linking to authoritative external sources.