What is YMYL (Your Money Your Life) and Its Impact on SEO

YMYL (Your Money Your Live) is a category of content topics on Google that will be evaluated with the standards of E-A-T (Expertise, Authority, Trustworthiness). YMYL plays a role in SEO especially if the topic you are discussing is related to YMYL topics such as (Health and Finance).

The world of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is not simple, but many things need to be done and considered. To compete with many websites, topping the first page of Google is a big achievement for SEO specialists. It's not a short journey, it requires high flying hours and a series of trial & error. 

In addition to discussing YMYL or Your Money Your Life in SEO, this article is still closely related to E-A-T (Expertise, Authority, Trustworthiness).

For those of you who are still unfamiliar, YMYL is a category of content topics on Google that will be evaluated with the E-A-T standards. In this article, we will provide complete information about YMYL and its impact on your website's SEO.

What is YMYL?

YMYL is a category of topics that are very crucial, involving the finances and lives of Google users. This is not a threat, but more on content categories that will influence user decisions.

It is undeniable that almost everyone tries to find answers to various questions through Google. This is what then makes Google committed to always provide the best browsing experience for its users.

Thus, Quality raters are created to evaluate and determine the quality of Google content using the basic principles of E-A-T. Google does not want articles that appear on Google to have a negative impact and contain misleading information for users. This can certainly harm the wealth and lives of users. 

Examples of YMYL Content

There are many types of content based on Google's algorithm that are considered YMYL topics. Not only based on one industry or genre. There is actually no comprehensive index for this, but here are generally what falls into the YMYL category.

News content or current issues

About Government, politics, and law

Financial content

Medical and health sciences

Shopping or buying and selling content

Content containing information related to sensitive parameters or other sensitivities

In essence, if you as a website owner have YMYL topic content, create content that does not have the potential to harm Google users. 

How Does Google Define YMYL Content?

Google itself says that there is no simple approach to YMYL. Google itself has many workers (humans) as quality raters who will determine the quality of YMYL content. So there is no specific standard for this. It is more about how a content can be helpful to users? Or not. 

Things like this are relative but Google itself has also created guidelines for evaluating the human side of content. YMYL topics cannot be curated by a computer system. 

Even quality raters do not work like algorithms that can directly lower the ranking of a website. But they work by providing feedback on every search result on Google. 

If your website has a niche that falls into the YMYL category, make sure the content contains E-A-T principles to make it easier for evaluators to ensure the quality of your content. If you focus on the medical field, it is better to let a doctor or professional expert create content articles on your website. 

Is YMYL a Google Ranking Factor?

Content with YMYL categories is the main focus of Google. If your content focus is indeed YMYL, then make high-quality content as much as possible. 

This is still closely related to E-A-T. Because E-A-T is one of the factors for quality raters. Do not let your content threaten the lives and financial conditions of Google users. 

How to Use and Maximize YMYL

So, how can you maximize YMYL content to top Google rankings? Simply, use E-A-T principles and techniques in writing articles categorized as YMYL. 

Involve Experts in Your Content

If you have experts in the field or topic that is the niche of your website, the quality of the content produced will be higher. It is okay to have an expert review the article before publishing.

Check Your Content Sources

Often in writing articles, you search for sources from other articles, but you need to double-check. Is the source credible enough? If the source is obtained from an interviewee, make sure the person speaking has authority and experience related to the topic being discussed.

Quote Reliable Sources

Do not forget to quote content sources to make the article more authoritative. Also, make sure the source is reliable. By providing a reliable source as a citation or quote, readers can go directly to the source and check if it can be trusted.

Avoid Information Errors

It is a given that if there are errors in YMYL content, it will clearly be considered irrelevant and misleading. Even a slight mistake can harm readers. So make sure to minimize or even eliminate errors.

Detailed Content

Users will appreciate content that provides detailed information. Especially if supported by complete and reliable data or statistics. If the content is in the form of opinions, strengthen it with strong arguments supported by data. 

Professional Writing

In a sense, coherent, easy to read, easy to understand. Because the ones who will evaluate your content are Google's Evaluators team. If the content is full of spelling errors or difficult to read, it will clearly affect the ranking later on.

Updating Content

It is important to update the content on your website. Because times are always changing, new research and discoveries are always present. It is necessary to audit the content, whether it is still relevant and appropriate. If not, it is okay to update the content with the latest additional information.

Receive Feedback Before Publishing

You can also seek help from colleagues to check if the content is readable and informative enough. What things are lacking, then you can improve and correct the content before publishing.

Ideally, you should strive to improve E-A-T principles to maximize YMYL on your website. This must be done continuously if you are determined to be a champion and top the Search Engine Results Page. Especially if you are truly focused on the YMYL category. 

Maximize the use of E-A-T and always ensure to create useful and helpful content for users. Avoid content that is harmful and potentially threatens someone's life and financial condition.

Conclusion

After learning more about YMYL, it may be challenging for you to manage your website's SEO on your own. 

If you need solutions for your website content to continue appearing on the first page of Google, WEBARQ can be your partner. We are ready to optimize the E-A-T and YMYL SEO of your website through our services. 

We have been in this industry for over 10 years and have worked with more than 250 clients. Now is the time for you to entrust your website to us, contact us here.

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