Google has been recently rolling out an update (August 2022). You may have heard of it? It’s known as the ‘Helpful Content update’.
The aim is to reward those websites that create helpful content with higher rankings in the Google search results pages.
Websites that create spam and overly optimised content, created primarily for search engines rather than the end user, are being penalised.
Has organic traffic to your photography website been affected by the Helpful Content update?
So, I’m curious. How much organic traffic are you getting to your website? And, as this update has begun to be rolled out, has your organic website traffic taken a hit recently?
If so, that might be a sign that you need to UP the quality of your content.
How to improve your photography website in the eyes of Google
How can you do that, you might ask?
Well, by creating a better overall experience and by ensuring all your content is genuinely helpful to your visitors.
For example, Google’s Helpful Content guidelines state the following – that the update will be reviewing:
- Does your content clearly demonstrate first-hand expertise and a depth of knowledge?
- Does your site have a primary purpose or focus?
- After reading your content, will someone leave feeling they’ve learned enough about a topic to help achieve their goal?
- Will someone reading your content leave feeling like they’ve had a satisfying experience?
(See the Helpful Content guidelines in full for more insight and specific tips).
Review your Google Analytics data regularly
Something for you to do today: Visit your Google Analytics account to find out how your website is performing and compare organic traffic levels over the past few months.
*By the way, this is something you would ideally be doing often!
How to review your organic traffic within Google Analytics
To review the data relating to the organic traffic to your photography website, follow these steps:
Step 1:
Go to the left-hand side menu, select Acquisition (this is where the data is about how you have acquired visitors), then Overview. You’ll then see a Pie chart showing your traffic sources.
Step 2:
Then click Organic search from the list below that pie chart.
Step 3:
Specify the date range you want to review at the top right if you haven’t already.
You’ll then get a chart at the top showing your traffic (the number of users) over that period of time that have come as organic traffic to your website. This will show you peaks and troughs over time – hopefully, more peaks than troughs!
This is a screenshot from my own Google Analytics data. My website consistently attracts about 80% of its total visits from Google each month.
This is a result of content I’ve created on my site over the years, ranking well for relevant keywords and therefore appearing in search results. My photography clients also get much of their website traffic organically via Google too because of the strategic blog content I help them to create.
I’ll be continuing to keep an eye on analytics data to see if there will be any dip in organic traffic following the Helpful Content update. I suggest you do too.
Want me to help you get more organic traffic to your photography website?
If your organic traffic could do with a boost, then why not get in touch with me?
‘Done for you’ blog copywriting for photographers
I work 1-2-1 with a limited number of photographers at a time. My clients want to get visible online and I help them to improve their website rankings and to attract more of their dream clients using the power of storytelling, publicity and strategic blog content.
Find out more about how to work with me here.
Whether you’re ready to outsource your PR and content or not though, do come and join my free PR-Savvy Photographers Facebook group (for professional photographers only). Wherever you are in the world, you’re welcome!
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