GRASPED Google Updates Unraveled: Medic (2018)
Overview: The Medic update, which rolled out in August 2018, was a broad core algorithm update. While Google didn't specify exact details, the SEO community noted that it largely affected health and wellness websites, hence the name "Medic". The update seemed to prioritize authoritative content, especially for topics that fall under Google's "Your Money or Your Life" (YMYL) category.
Primary Changes:
- Significant ranking fluctuations, particularly for health, wellness, and YMYL websites.
- Emphasis on Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-A-T) of content.
- Websites with high-quality content, strong author credentials, and clear sourcing were favored.
Implications for Webmasters/SEO Professionals: The Medic update underscored the importance of high-quality, authoritative content, particularly for industries that impact a person's health, happiness, safety, or financial stability. Webmasters were encouraged to focus on improving the E-A-T of their content, ensuring credentials were highlighted, and that information was sourced appropriately.
Clickable Prompts:
- "The importance of E-A-T in the post-Medic era."
- "Case studies analyzing the impact of Medic on various industries."
- "Strategies for improving website authority and trustworthiness after Medic."
- "Understanding YMYL and its significance in Google's ranking criteria."
- "The role of author credentials in post-Medic SEO."
- "Evaluating the long-term implications of the Medic update."
- "Predictions for future updates focusing on content quality and authority."
Further Reading:
- Analysis of the Medic update and its potential targets
- Guide to understanding and improving E-A-T
- The relationship between YMYL, E-A-T, and the Medic update
This format offers a deep dive into the Medic update, its potential motivations, and the emphasis it placed on high-quality, authoritative content, especially in the health and wellness sector.
