The Importance of Links in SEO

In this long-awaited return episode of Search News, Dr. Marie Haynes explains how Google's helpful content system has radically changed search rankings. She provides background on her experience studying Google's algorithms for over 16 years, and how the company has shifted to relying more on AI systems like helpful content rather than just links and keywords. Marie walks through the evolution of major algorithm updates like Panda and Penguin, and what they revealed about Google's capabilities and focus on content quality. She explains how machine learning models can now predict helpful content, with training data from quality raters. The episode provides real-world examples of sites that were impacted by recent helpful content updates, and what specific changes Google rewarded. Marie also offers advice for those struggling with helpful content suppression and wanting to better align with Google's criteria. This episode will completely change your understanding of modern search rankings, and what you should prioritize on your site for visibility and traffic in 2023 and beyond. Don't miss Marie's long-awaited insider perspective on Google's helpful content! More from Marie: Purchase my workbook to help you assess your content and improve its helpfulness https://www.mariehaynes.com/product/creating-helpful-content-workbook/  Have me assess your site: https://www.mariehaynes.com/work-with-marie/  Book time on my calendar to brainstorm with me about your site: https://calendly.com/mariehaynes/brainstorming-with-marie? Links mentioned in this episode: https://www.mariehaynes.com/newsletter/episode-295/ (Latest episode of newsletter where we discuss Project Tailwind/NotebookLM) https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/creating-helpful-content (Google’s Guidance  on creating helpful content) https://searchengineland.com/whats-now-next-with-google-search-smx-next-keynote-389628 (Barry Schwartz and HJ Kim interview) https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2011/05/more-guidance-on-building-high-quality (Panda questions) https://www.mariehaynes.com/google-ai-systems/ (My article on how the helpful content system works) https://moz.com/blog/nine-years-of-google-algorithm (Dr. Pete Myers heatmap showing Penguin algo turbulence)    https://writings.stephenwolfram.com/2023/02/what-is-chatgpt-doing-and-why-does-it-work/ (understanding the math behind systems like the helpful content system) https://www.mariehaynes.com/what-we-know-about-googles-quality-raters/ How raters rate sites.