You Are What You E-E-A-T: How Science Orgs Can Rank Higher on Google
By Jordan Eller
Establishing a competitive, dynamic online presence is paramount for life science companies, research organizations, and drug manufacturers.
With Google’s ever-evolving search algorithms, these entities need to adapt their content strategies to ensure visibility and credibility. One effective approach is to embrace Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines – Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness – to craft better content and rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs).
Experience: Prove your track history
Potential customers are constantly searching for proof of the experiences other people have with your science brand, instead of what your brand might say about itself or its products. In fact, Moz reports that only 14% of consumers trust what brands say about themselves. When measuring experience, Google instructs its Quality Rater team to identify whether your content is based on first-hand experience with the subject being covered.
How many case studies are featured on your website? What are past customers saying in your Google Reviews? Do you have any real-life pictures of your site, office, or teams? These are all avenues where you can prove your winning record and convice customers that you can be trusted (more on trust later).
Expertise: Demonstrate your capabilities
Expertise serves as the foundation of E-E-A-T guidelines. For life science companies and research organizations, demonstrating expertise in their respective fields is crucial. By producing content that showcases in-depth knowledge, insights, and research findings, these entities establish themselves as credible sources of information. Whether it’s publishing peer-reviewed studies, white papers, or informative blog posts, showcasing expertise not only attracts a wider audience but also fosters trust among consumers, peers, and search engines alike.
Authority: Cement your superiority
Moreover, Google prioritizes authoritative sources in its search rankings. For life science entities, building authority involves consistently producing high-quality content and earning recognition within the industry. This could entail participating in conferences, publishing in reputable journals, or collaborating with renowned experts. By positioning themselves as thought leaders and influencers, these entities not only enhance their online visibility but also attract valuable inbound links, further bolstering their authority in the eyes of search engines.
Trustworthiness: Inspire your audience
Trustworthiness is the final critical element of Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines, especially in sensitive sectors like healthcare and pharmaceuticals. Ensuring transparency, accuracy, and ethical conduct in content creation is paramount. Providing citations, attributions, and references adds credibility to the information presented, instilling confidence in both consumers and search engine algorithms. Additionally, being transparent about affiliations, conflicts of interest, and data sources builds trust and credibility over time.
Looking for more tips on how to use trust signals to create sales success? Check out our blog, “Trust Signals: What They Are and How to Use Them“
The Benefits of Embracing E-E-A-T
Integrating the E-E-A-T philosophy into your content creation strategies will net your science organization several benefits.
- It improves search engine rankings, leading to increased visibility and organic traffic. These sites are more likely to appear higher on SERPs, driving more qualified leads to their websites.
- It enhances brand reputation and credibility. In an era where misinformation and fake news are everywhere, establishing trustworthiness is paramount. By consistently delivering accurate, reliable, and transparent content, life science entities not only differentiate themselves from competitors but also build long-term relationships with consumers and stakeholders based on trust and integrity.
- It mitigates the risk of penalties from search engines. With Google’s algorithms becoming increasingly sophisticated in detecting and penalizing low-quality or deceptive content, compliance with E-E-A-T principles is essential for maintaining a positive online presence. By prioritizing experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness, life science orgs can avoid potential setbacks and ensure sustainable growth and higher conversion rates.
In conclusion, embracing Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines is imperative for life science companies, research organizations, and drug manufacturers looking to thrive in today’s competitive online environment. By prioritizing expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness in content creation, your science company can improve its search engine rankings, enhance brand reputation, and build long-term trust with consumers and stakeholders. As search algorithms continue to evolve, integrating E-E-A-T guidelines into content strategies will remain essential for staying ahead of the curve and maximizing online visibility and credibility.