Niche Pursuits Podcast: Find Your Next "Niche" Business Idea! Cyrus Shepard Decodes the HCU and Shares Ranking Secrets for 2025 and Beyond
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Dec 11, 2024 Cyrus Shepard, a seasoned SEO expert from Zippy SEO and former Moz team member, shares invaluable insights on navigating Google's Helpful Content Update. He reveals the essence of creating 'helpful content' and discusses recovery strategies for website owners affected by recent algorithm changes. Shepard addresses the shift from traditional SEO practices to emphasizing user engagement and quality content, providing actionable tips for achieving visibility in 2025 and beyond. This conversation is a game-changer for anyone looking to thrive in the evolving digital landscape.
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HCU's True Aim
- The "Helpful Content Update" misleads, as it's more about de-incentivizing certain content.
- Google aims to shift away from easily SEO-manipulated affiliate and ad-heavy content.
Experience Matters
- Google uses Quality Raters to assess "experience" in addition to expertise, authority, and trust.
- This involves evaluating if creators demonstrate real-world experience with their topics.
Stock Images vs. Original Images
- Websites using stock images correlate with steeper declines in rankings.
- Sites with original images, especially those featuring people, tend to perform better.