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Google revised 5 of its Search Quality Raters Guidelines changelog

3 min read
SEO NEWS

Google is continuously working towards creating a more fruitful, easy to use and more informational user experience for every individual. To continue the win they have introduced several new revisions to ensure quality and inclusion for all.

Now to start with these revisions the very first thing to know, what is quality raters guidelines

What are Google’s Search Quality Raters Guidelines?

For those who are unfamiliar, Google has hired tens of thousands of people from all around the world to assess websites and record whether the sites are good or terrible in a variety of categories.

Google’s Search Quality Raters Guidelines is a semi-frequently updated guideline (as of this writing, the most recent modification was on October 19, 2021) that Google Quality Raters use/reference when rating websites.

They are, as the name implies, the guidelines that these raters are to follow when performing their duties.

The criteria lay out the requirements and elements that must be evaluated, as well as how that individual should rate the site.

 

Let’s talk about the new updates now,

Google revealed five changes to its Search Quality Raters Guidelines (QRGs), and released an updated version of the paper with a changelog explaining each one.

While these standards have no consequence on rankings, they do provide significant insight into the numerous elements that Google evaluates when evaluating content quality.

You can download the guide here.

 

These updates include these 5 changes:

 

  • Expanded the definition of the YMYL subcategory ‘Groups of people’ 
  • Refreshed guidance on how to research reputation information for websites and content creators 
  • Restructured and updated ‘Lowest Page Quality’ section; reorganized and refreshed examples to reflect new structure
  • Simplified the definition of ‘Upsetting-Offensive’ to remove redundancy with Lowest Page Quality section
  • Minor changes throughout (updated screenshots and URLs, wording, and examples for consistency; removed outdated examples; fixed typos; etc.) 

 

Here’s in-depth yet concise information about all these changes

  1. Groups Of People’ In YMYL Content

Google’s update:

 “Expanded the definition of the YMYL subcategory ‘Groups of people.’”

Previously, Google’s definition of YMYL – “Your Money, Your Life” included a section about “Groups of people” that included information related to “race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, nationality, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity.”

 

Google preserved those categories in its definition, but added the classifications below to its definition of human groups:

  • Caste.
  • Gender expression.
  • Immigration status.
  • Sex/gender.
  • Victims of a major violent event and their kin.
  • Or any other characteristic that is associated with systemic discrimination or marginalization.

 

This demonstrates Google’s efforts to broaden its definition of YMYL content to accommodate a wider range of identities, socioeconomic conditions, and other factors.

 

2. How To Research Reputation Information

Google’s update: “Refreshed guidance on how to research reputation information for websites and content creators.”

Google changed its language from stating that “stores” frequently have user ratings that can provide reputation information to state that this can be done for “websites.”

It also added a large number of “detailed, trustworthy, positive” reviews can be evidence of a good reputation whereas before, Google only mentioned the number of positive reviews.

Google, for example, took down the comment that “reputation research is required for all websites.” Instead, reputation research is only required “to the extent that a well-established reputation can be discovered.”

 

  1. ‘Lowest Page Quality’

Google’s update: “Restructured and updated ‘Lowest Page Quality’ section; reorganized and refreshed examples to reflect new structure.”

To make its section describing how it estimates the Lowest Page Quality, Google made substantial changes.

 

4. ‘Upsetting-Offensive’ Definition

Google’s update: “Simplified the definition of ‘Upsetting-Offensive’ to remove redundancy with Lowest Page Quality section.”

Google completely overhauled its definition of “Upsetting-Offensive” to make it more brief and concise.

 

5. Minor Changes Throughout

Google’s update: “Minor changes throughout (updated screenshots and URLs, wording, and examples for consistency; removed outdated examples; fixed typos; etc.).”

These changes are well explained in a blog post by Search engine journal.

Why these changes? What is their significance for SEO?

Google has always been on the top of the game to be more transparent, more inclusive, and provide the best ever user experience.

These changes will definitely add to the quality of web pages ensuring that the authenticity and dignity of the page is involved. These updates will eradicate offensive, fake, and low-quality pages that are not concerned about the user.

Keeping up with changes to these standards can help marketers stay on top of Google’s knowledge of what constitutes a good search experience and how to optimize their own content accordingly.