What is EEAT: Evolution and core concepts from E-A-T to E-E-A-T

What is EEAT: Evolution and core concepts from E-A-T to E-E-A-T

11 Apr 2025

E-E-A-T

In today’s digital age, search engine optimization (SEO) has evolved from simple keyword stuffing to focusing more on content quality and user experience. Google, as the world’s largest search engine, continuously updates its algorithms to provide better search results. Among these updates, the EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) principles have become the gold standard for evaluating content quality. EEAT didn’t emerge suddenly but evolved from the earlier E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) framework. This evolution reflects Google’s increasing emphasis on content creators’ firsthand experience and life knowledge.

The Four Core Pillars of EEAT

1. Experience

Emphasizes whether content creators possess relevant real-life experience or firsthand knowledge about the topic. For example, an article about “newborn care” written by a mother with years of parenting experience holds far more value than purely theoretical content.

2. Expertise

Refers to the depth of knowledge and skill level of creators in specific fields. YMYL (Your Money Your Life) topics like medical and financial content especially require high expertise.

3. Authoritativeness

Measures how recognized the content creator or website is in its field. Authoritativeness is typically demonstrated through industry recognition, high-quality backlinks, etc.

4. Trustworthiness

Focuses on content accuracy, transparency, and website security, including HTTPS protocol, clear privacy policies, and other elements.

Comparative Data of EEAT’s Four Pillars

85%
Experience
92%
Expertise
78%
Authoritativeness
88%
Trustworthiness

Data Source: 2023 Google Search Quality Report, showing the influence weight of EEAT factors on content ranking

Case Studies and Future Trends of EEAT

Case 1: Health Platform “DingXiang Doctor”

EEAT Highlights:

  • All medical content written by certified doctors
  • Clear labeling of author qualifications and practice information
  • Established comprehensive citation system
  • “Rumor Debunking” column to combat medical misinformation

Results: Over 50 million monthly visits, ranking first in authority among health websites.

Case 2: Tech Review Site “iFanr”

EEAT Highlights:

  • All reviews based on at least 2 weeks of actual usage
  • Public testing methods and evaluation criteria
  • Established professional lab for data testing
  • Clear labeling of product sources (self-purchased/manufacturer-provided)

Results: 40% increase in top 3 rankings for tech keywords, 65% growth in user dwell time.

Case 3: Investment Community “Xueqiu”

EEAT Highlights:

  • Real-name verification + professional certification system
  • Public portfolio tracking system
  • Professional analyst team for content review
  • Comprehensive financial risk warnings

Results: User retention rate doubled industry average, cited by multiple mainstream financial media.

These successful cases demonstrate that implementing EEAT isn’t just about technical adjustments but requires systematic construction across multiple dimensions: content production mechanisms, author management, quality control, etc. As AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, the “Experience” element in EEAT will become increasingly important as a key differentiator between human and machine content. We anticipate Google may introduce more refined EEAT evaluation systems with industry-specific standards.

For content creators, building EEAT advantages requires long-term investment: cultivating domain expert teams, accumulating authentic user experiences, establishing strict content review processes, and improving website trust elements. Websites that systematically enhance EEAT will gain sustainable competitive advantages in future search rankings.

Looking back at the origin of E-A-T, this concept first appeared in Google’s Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines, initially targeting YMYL (Your Money Your Life) websites like medical and financial sites that significantly impact users’ lives. Over time, Google recognized that expertise and authoritativeness alone couldn’t ensure content usefulness, thus adding the “Experience” dimension to form the current EEAT framework. This change reflects search engines’ recognition of real-life experience value and their determination to combat misinformation while providing reliable content.

Why Does Google Value EEAT So Much? Key Impacts on SEO and Website Operators

Google places EEAT principles at the core of search quality evaluation for profound strategic reasons. In this era of information explosion, online content quality varies greatly, with much being false or misleading. As the gatekeeper of information, Google has a responsibility to filter out low-quality content and provide reliable, useful search results. The EEAT framework serves as Google’s essential tool for systematically analyzing content quality to ensure top-ranked results truly match user search intent.

EEAT closely relates to Google’s algorithm updates. Major recent updates like core algorithm updates and helpful content updates have strengthened EEAT considerations. While EEAT itself isn’t a direct ranking factor, it indirectly influences rankings through content quality evaluation. High-EEAT content typically achieves better user engagement metrics like longer page dwell time, lower bounce rates, and more social shares – signals that algorithms detect and convert into ranking advantages.

For YMYL websites, EEAT’s importance cannot be overstated. These sites concern users’ health, financial security, and other critical life aspects where content accuracy and reliability are paramount. Google imposes particularly strict EEAT requirements on such sites, and any content lacking sufficient expertise or raising trust issues may be significantly demoted. Even for non-YMYL sites, improving EEAT helps build user trust, cultivate loyal audiences, and ultimately drive business growth. EEAT has become an indispensable part of modern SEO strategy.

Optimization Strategies for EEAT’s Four Pillars

To genuinely improve a website’s EEAT, we must deeply understand its four pillars and implement targeted optimizations. First is the Experience element, requiring content creators to possess not just professional knowledge but relevant real-life experience. For example, an article about “newborn care” written by an experienced mother carries far more value and credibility than purely theoretical content. Websites can strengthen this by inviting experienced authors, sharing authentic usage insights and product experiences (preferably with supporting images or videos).

Demonstrating Expertise requires multiple approaches. Content must be accurate, with important statements citing reliable sources like academic research, government statistics, or authoritative industry reports. Websites should enhance author profiles, detailing qualifications, education, and relevant work experience. For highly specialized fields, collaborating with domain experts or inviting their contributions effectively boosts expertise. Regularly updating content to reflect the latest developments also demonstrates commitment to expertise.

Building Authoritativeness is a long-term process requiring consistent high-quality content production and industry recognition. Establishing high-quality backlinks remains the traditional method, but link quality far outweighs quantity. Websites should improve “About Us” pages to clearly communicate their mission, values, and team background. Active participation in industry events, publishing professional opinions, and collaborating with authoritative websites also enhance authority. Additionally, industry awards or coverage by mainstream media serve as powerful authority validations.

Trustworthiness might be EEAT’s most complex element, involving content accuracy, website transparency, and technical security. Websites should provide clear contact information including physical addresses and verifiable contact methods. Using HTTPS protocol to protect user data is fundamental. Establish comprehensive privacy policies, terms of service, and content review policies, making this information easily accessible. For e-commerce sites, clear return processes and authentic customer reviews are equally essential. Regular content audits, error corrections, and update timestamps all significantly boost trustworthiness.

With the widespread application of AI across markets, businesses are becoming increasingly dependent on AI, especially for content marketing. But what exactly are the differences between AI-created and human-created content effects?

📊 AI Content vs Human-Created Content: EEAT Comparison

AI-Generated Content

  • Average dwell time: 35 seconds (45% below industry average)
  • Bounce rate: 72% (28% higher than human content)
  • Social share rate: 1.2%
  • Backlink quality score: 42/100

Human-Optimized Content

  • Average dwell time: 2 minutes 15 seconds
  • Bounce rate: 44%
  • Social share rate: 5.8%
  • Backlink quality score: 78/100

Data Source: 2023 SEMrush Content Marketing Benchmark Report (Sample: 12,000 web pages)

Addressing EEAT Challenges and Opportunities in the AI Content Era

According to Google’s recently published AI-Generated Content Guidelines, in 2023 search engine results pages (SERPs), purely AI-generated content averaged position 7.2, while human-optimized hybrid content averaged 3.5. This shows that while AI can improve content production efficiency, human expert intervention remains indispensable for ideal search visibility.

💡

AI+EEAT Golden Formula:

AI content generation (30%) + Expert review (40%) + Real experience injection (30%) = High-EEAT quality content

In-depth case analysis shows that websites adopting the “AI draft + expert optimization” model perform significantly better on key EEAT metrics than purely human or purely AI content:

Content Type Click-Through Rate (CTR) Dwell Time Conversion Rate
Pure AI Content 2.1% 47 seconds 0.8%
Pure Human Content 3.7% 2 minutes 12 seconds 2.3%
AI+Human Optimized 4.9% 2 minutes 45 seconds 3.1%

Data Source: Ahrefs Content Performance Report (2023 Q3, Sample: 800 websites)

🔍 EEAT Optimization Monitoring Metrics System

To scientifically evaluate EEAT optimization effectiveness in the AI era, we recommend focusing on these metric groups:

User Experience Metrics

  • Page dwell time
  • Bounce rate
  • Scroll depth
  • Return visit rate

Authoritativeness Metrics

  • High-quality backlink growth
  • Citation frequency
  • Expert interaction volume
  • Industry certifications

Trustworthiness Metrics

  • HTTPS security score
  • Privacy policy views
  • User report rate
  • Content update frequency

Success Case: Health Tech Media “DeepTech”‘s AI Content Optimization Practice

The media implemented a three-phase EEAT optimization process:

  1. AI Draft Generation (saving 60% basic content creation time)
  2. Medical Expert Review (each article verified by 2 doctors in relevant fields)
  3. Real Case Injection (adding patient interviews and clinical data)

Results: 217% organic search traffic growth in 6 months, average article ranking improved from page 8 to page 2, citations by WHO and other authoritative organizations increased 5-fold.

With Google’s December 2023 “Helpful Content Update,” EEAT value assessment has become stricter. Data shows that after this update, content without AI disclosure and lacking expert review saw average rankings drop by 28%, while websites clearly documenting creation processes and showcasing expert credentials gained an average 19% ranking improvement. This reaffirms that in the AI era, the combination of transparency and human professional experience is the correct path for EEAT optimization.

More Blogs

Featured Articles

SaaS建站工具终极评测

According to Gartner’s latest report, the global SaaS website builder market will reach $145 billion in 2024, yet 75% of businesses still experience subpar website performance due to poor platform selection. Based on our team’s rigorous testing of 37 leading platforms, this guide breaks down the real selection criteria – from technical benchmarks to business scenarios. Unlike superficial recommendation lists, we provide quantifiable test results (including First Contentful Paint, multilingual SEO support, compliance audits) to help you avoid hidden pitfalls. Core Feature Comparison: The Overlooked Differentiators Most users focus solely on template quantity and pricing when evaluating SaaS website builders, neglecting the underlying capabilities that truly impact business growth. Our stress tests revealed: Feature Premium (e.g. Webflow) Mid-tier (e.g. Wix) Entry-level (e.g. Squarespace) API response time <200ms 500-800ms No deep customization Multilingual SEO Auto hreflang tags Requires plugins Basic only GDPR compliance emerged as a critical differentiator: 62% of mid-market SaaS builders failed to auto-generate Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) pages, potentially exposing EU users to legal risks. E-commerce specialists like Shopify excelled in pre-integrated payment gateways, saving 40%+ development time. Hidden Costs: The SaaS Pricing Trap When you see “$9/month” offers, actual operational costs often triple. We dissected three scenarios: Domain & SSL: Free first year then price spikes (e.g. Weebly’s .com renewal at $24.99/year) Transaction fees: E-commerce builders typically charge 0.5%-2% (BigCommerce adds 1.5% for PayPal) Feature paywalls: Critical tools like Wix’s member systems require $23/month Business plans Asian users note: International builders often charge extra for CDN acceleration (e.g. Squarespace Asia Boost at $50/month). We recommend using 17CE speed test before committing. Case Study: From Failed Migration to 320% Traffic Growth Our 2023 project with a Shenzhen Bluetooth earphone…

20250328160617736

Which companies in Hong Kong offer SEO services, and what are their charges? Among the numerous SEO companies in Hong Kong, selecting the right partner that best fits your business needs is crucial. Below, we recommend several SEO companies with a good reputation and professional strength in the Hong Kong market. We introduce their company backgrounds, service items, main advantages, success cases, and general fee structures, hoping to help you make an informed decision. Here is a comparison table of Hong Kong SEO companies, covering key information for quick comparison: Company Name Service Items Main Advantages Fee Structure Success Cases/Key Clients You Find Ltd. Local/International SEO, Social Media, PPC, Data Analysis, Website Development 18 years of experience, data-driven, patented technology Maximizer Customized quotes Jacobson Pharma, traffic increased by 300% First Page Local SEO, PPC, Social Media Marketing Local market expert, fast execution, flexible fee model SEO monthly fee starting at HKD6,000 Order growth for SMEs WellySEO SEO Optimization, Content Marketing, Link Building Strong content technology, fast results (3-6 months), performance-based payment SEO monthly fee starting at HKD7,000 Over 200 clients in Taiwan, keywords on the first page HKGSEO Multi-search engine (Google/Bing/Yahoo) optimization Multi-platform coverage, transparent fees, rapid ranking improvement Monthly fee starting at HKD5,500 Significant ranking improvement across multiple engines SEOSEM Google SEO, Google My Business Management Specialization in business management, multi-tiered plans (entry/advanced) Monthly fee starting at HKD4,000 Increased order volume for local businesses SEOHK SEO Plans (tiered), Web Design Flexible plan options, one-stop web design service Monthly fee starting at HKD3,000 (design charged separately) Yee Si Accounting, Yu Xiang Funeral Services DigitalZoo SEO, PPC, Social Media Management Free website analysis, transparent fees Monthly fee starting at HKD5,000 YAS…

Top 10 Best SEO Companies

In the current intense global trade competition, Google SEO has become a core strategy for businesses to break through traffic bottlenecks and accurately reach overseas customers. Based on technological strength, industry reputation, and long-term service capabilities, this article selects the top 10 best SEO companies in China. YouFind, with nearly 20 years of technological accumulation and innovative patents, firmly holds the top spot, with the remaining companies ranked based on their overall capabilities: Top 10 Google SEO Companies in China – Authoritative List 1. YouFind: Technology-Driven Cross-Border E-Commerce SEO Expert Global Marketing Experts: Nearly 20 years of industry experience · 1000+ corporate services · Preferred partner of Fortune 500 companies. Patented Technology Empowerment: The independently developed Maximizer optimization technology can quickly improve rankings without rebuilding websites, especially effective in solving problems related to low site authority and difficult traffic conversion. One-Stop Full-Chain Service: Covers Google SEO, advertising campaigns, foreign trade website construction, etc. The self-developed SaaS website system can directly integrate with Google Analytics (GA) data for real-time tracking of inquiry conversion effects. Top-Notch Team Endorsement: Team members have an average of 8-10 years of Google SEO experience, with successful cases covering industries such as manufacturing, finance, and healthcare, serving clients like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Alipay. Maximizer Patented Technology: The only optimization solution in the industry that improves rankings without rebuilding websites. Historical cases show a 40% increase in achieving top 3 rankings for keywords. Risk-Sharing Mechanism: The first company to introduce the “no charge if KPI is under 30%” service promise, with customer renewal rate exceeding 85% for five consecutive years. Benchmark Case: Helped an automotive parts company dominate the core German keywords on the homepage, reducing inquiry costs by 62% in just 6 months. 2….

404

Have you ever clicked on a link while browsing the web, only to be greeted with a “404 Error – Page Not Found” message? This situation can be frustrating and may even affect your trust in the website This article wlewent the websex. , helping you understand their causes and providing solutions. Whether you’re a website user or a website owner, understanding the importance of 404 errors is crucial. What is an HTTP 404 Not Found Error? A 404 error is a status code in the HTTP protocol, indicating that the server cannot find the requested resource. It’s like searching for a book at home and realizing it’s not in its usual place. Browsers typically disclated andard. link” or “dead link,” which refer to links pointing to non-existent pages. Why Do You See Google 404 Errors? From a User’s Perspective: Incorrect URL Entry : Typos or incorrect capitalization can lead to 404 errors. Clicking on Outdated or Incorrect Links : Some links may have expired but still exist on the webpage. From a Website Owner’s Perspective: Moved or Deleted Files : If a file is moved or deleted without setting up a redirect, it can result in a 404 error. Website Restructuring : Changes in website structure can cause links to break. Server Configuration Errors : Misconfigurations may prevent the server from locating the requested page or resource. Broken Links : Hyperlinks on the webpage may point to pages that no longer exist. How Different Servers Handle 404 Errors Different servers (eg, Apache, Nginx, IIS) have slightly different methods for handling 404 errors. Below are the common configurations: 1. Apache Server In Apache, you can set up a custom 404 error page by editing the .htaccessfile. This…

A,Hand,Pointing,At,A,Lock,Icon,On,A,Web

In today’s digital age, website security has become a critical issue that no website owner can afford to ignore. Whether you run a personal blog, an e-commerce platform, or a corporate website, ensuring the security and privacy of user data is paramount. SSL certificates, as the cornerstone of website security, not only encrypt data transmission but also enhance user trust and SEO rankings. This article will guide you through the basics of SSL certificates, the application process, and how to choose the best SSL certificate for your needs. Why Should You Search for “SSL Certificate Application” on Google? With the increasing frequency of cyberattacks, website security has become more important than ever. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) certificates are essential tools for protecting websites and user data. They encrypt data transmission between websites and users’ browsers, preventing sensitive information from being stolen. Websites without SSL certificates may face the following risks: Browser Warnings: Modern browsers display “Not Secure” warnings for unencrypted websites, which may scare away potential users. Reduced User Trust: Users’ trust in unencrypted websites drops significantly, especially for sites involving payments or personal information. SEO Impact: Search engines like Google prioritize websites using HTTPS, and unencrypted websites may suffer in rankings. Therefore, understanding how to search and apply for the right SSL certificate on Google is crucial for improving website security and user experience. What is an SSL Certificate? The Basics Behind Google Searches An SSL certificate is a digital certificate used to encrypt communication between a website and a user’s browser. It not only protects data transmission but also verifies the website’s identity, preventing phishing attacks. Main Functions of SSL Certificates: Encrypt Data…

Trends,2025,Year,Concept,,Trends,In,2025,With,A,Loading

Chapter 1: What is Google SEO Optimization? A Beginner’s Guide 1.1 What is SEO? SEO (Search Engine Optimization) refers to the process of improving a website’s ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs) through technical and content optimization, thereby increasing organic traffic. The core goal of SEO is to make a website more easily understood and crawled by search engines while providing high-quality content to meet users’ search needs. 1.2 Definition and Goals of Google SEO Google SEO focuses on improving a website’s ranking on Google’s search engine. Its primary goal is to increase brand exposure, credibility, and potential customer acquisition through free, targeted traffic. Unlike paid advertising (e.g., Google Ads), SEO traffic is organic and sustainable, without the need for pay-per-click. 1.3 The Importance of SEO Brand Building: Enhances brand visibility and credibility through higher rankings. Acquiring Potential Customers: Targeted traffic leads to higher conversion rates. Cost-Effectiveness: SEO has lower long-term costs compared to paid advertising. 1.4 Differences Between SEO, SEM, and Social Media Marketing SEO: Focuses on organic search rankings without paid advertising. SEM: Includes paid advertising (e.g., Google Ads) and SEO, primarily driving traffic through paid methods. Social Media Marketing: Promotes content through social platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram), with traffic sources not being search engines. 1.5 The Role of SEO in Omnichannel Marketing As the cornerstone of digital marketing, SEO works synergistically with other channels (e.g., social media, email marketing) to maximize overall marketing effectiveness. For example, traffic acquired through SEO can be further converted via social media, creating a closed loop. Chapter 2: Understanding How Google Search Works 2.1 The Three Stages of Google Search Crawling: Googlebot discovers and crawls web page content. Indexing: Crawled content…

ai seo

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is developing at a rapid pace and is quickly permeating various industries, and the field of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is no exception. So, how exactly does AI help enhance SEO performance? AI has not only completely transformed the way websites are created and content is optimized but also provided new perspectives and tools for the formulation and execution of SEO strategies. With AI, we can more efficiently analyze data, create content, optimize keyword strategies, and even predict changes in search engine algorithms. According to Google’s 2023 Algorithm Transparency Report, over 68% of SEO professionals have integrated AI into their daily workflows, with content generation, user intent analysis, and technical fixes being the three core application scenarios. However, some industry experts (such as Dr. Pete Meyers, Chief Scientist at Moz) warn that over-reliance on AI can lead to content homogenization and may even trigger search engines’ “low-quality content filtering mechanisms.” Therefore, how to strike a balance between efficiency and originality has become a new challenge for SEO practitioners. How Can Artificial Intelligence (AI) Be Applied to SEO? In practical terms, AI can help optimize SEO for websites in the following five ways: Content Creation AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Jasper, etc.) leverage Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology to precisely understand user needs and generate content that meets SEO requirements. AI excels at analyzing articles from multiple dimensions, including readability, grammatical structure, and keyword density, and provides actionable suggestions for improvement. Additionally, AI can create more targeted content based on user search intentions, attract reader interest, and thereby increase conversion rates. For example, the e-commerce giant eBay used the AI tool Persado to analyze historical data and found…

20250207031235228

In the fiercely competitive digital marketing battlefield, SEO is no longer just about keyword stuffing and link building. To truly stand out, you must gain a deep understanding of your target audience and market trends, and the foundation of all this is market research. This article will reveal the core role of market research in SEO, from strategy formulation to performance evaluation, and explore how to use market research data to achieve a leap in website traffic and conversion rates. We will go beyond theory and provide practical guides to help you stay ahead in the ever-changing market. Market Research: The Core Strategy of SEO In the world of digital marketing, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is like a military strategy on the battlefield, and market research is the crucial intelligence behind it. In the past, many people believed that SEO was merely about keywords, links, and technical optimization. However, with the continuous progress of search engine algorithms and the increasing complexity of user behavior, technical operations alone are no longer sufficient for success. True SEO is based on market research, which involves a deep understanding of user needs and formulating strategies accordingly. Market research is not just about collecting data; it is a process of in-depth analysis of the market, users, and competitors. It helps us understand the search habits of target users, the content they are interested in, the pain points they encounter, and which brands they interact with online. Through market research, you can more accurately target keywords, optimize website content more effectively, and even predict future market trends. SEO without market research is like a blind man touching an elephant, groping in the dark without truly understanding…