Google Search ranking improvement aims to surface hidden gems
Enhancements in Google’s search ranking aim to unveil valuable, lesser-known content. Google is now surfacing personal insights and experiences shared on social media, blogs, and forums. However, this isn’t an update specifically focused on enhancing helpful content.
The recent ranking improvements by Google are targeted at highlighting a wider array of content, encompassing social media posts, blogs, forums, and more. These aim to spotlight personal insights and experiences, a concept referred to as ‘hidden gems,’ initially announced by Google in May. Surprisingly, this isn’t integrated into the helpful content framework but rather aligns with Google’s core ranking system. Brad Kellett, Senior Director of Google Search product and engineering, clarified this distinction.
‘Hidden gems’ according to Google, represent instances where individuals openly share their firsthand knowledge and unique experiences on the public web. Google’s intent is to accentuate such content in search results and interfaces.
Contrary to initial expectations, this update is not part of a forthcoming enhancement targeting helpful content. Instead, it falls within Google’s core ranking system, emphasizing ‘authentic’ content that could emerge from various web sources such as forums, social media, or blogs. Content portraying genuine insights and personal experiences, deemed valuable by users, might gain visibility. While Google doesn’t explicitly categorize content as a ‘gem,’ the focus lies on material that’s perceived as notably helpful, which historically might have struggled to surface in search results.
Earlier indications suggested that the ‘hidden gems’ feature wasn’t yet live, but it appears to have been integrated into the core ranking system several months ago, contradicting Google’s recent confirmation that it wasn’t live just a month prior. This discrepancy aligns with Danny Sullivan’s previous statement, hinting at ongoing work in this area, despite the interpretation that it hadn’t been implemented.
Understanding the mechanisms behind this, I inquired about how Google determines authenticity. While Google didn’t divulge specific details, it seems the emphasis is more on the content posted rather than the persona creating it. The focus appears to be on signals indicating authenticity—such as the content’s helpfulness, insights, and personal experiences—potentially prompting Google to amplify its visibility in search results.
This recent integration into Google’s core ranking system commenced a few months back, expanding to include various content sources like forum posts, social media entries, and blogs. As a result, it could impact the ranking of your or your clients’ sites for specific queries. Monitoring search results might reveal alterations in keyword rankings and content visibility due to this new ‘hidden gems’ Google ranking algorithm.
