Understanding the core principles of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) has never been more crucial.

Today, I’ll be sharing you the exact 16 steps you must take to establish E-E-A-T.

But first, what is E-E-A-T?

E-E-A-T stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.

It's essential to clarify that E-E-A-T isn't directly a ranking factor used by Google's algorithm.

Instead, it forms a crucial part of Google’s Search Quality Rater Guidelines. These guidelines are tools for Quality Raters, helping them evaluate the content creators' level of expertise and the overall quality of the webpage conten

Without further ado, here’s the checklist we use to audit websites:

Expertise

1. Identify Your Experts: List out content creators, their qualifications, and areas of expertise relevant to your website's content.
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2. Create Author Bios: Develop comprehensive bios for each content creator, including their education, experience, awards, and any other credentials that establish their expertise.
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3. Showcase Credentials: Incorporate professional titles, certifications, or association memberships prominently on the site, especially on content they’ve contributed to.
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4. Highlight Relevant Experience: Ensure the content reflects the author's direct experience and knowledge, making their expertise clear to the audience.

Authoritativeness

5. Audit Your Content: Review your content to ensure it covers topics thoroughly and is up-to-date with the latest information.
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6. Cite Reputable Sources: Reference authoritative sources within your content to back up claims and provide additional value to your readers.
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7. Seek Backlinks: Strategize to gain backlinks from well-respected websites in your industry, enhancing your site's perceived authority.
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8. Show Industry Engagement: Display any instances of your brand or experts being featured, quoted, or recognized by authoritative figures or publications in your field.

Trustworthiness

9. Secure Your Website: Confirm that your website uses HTTPS to protect user data and signal trustworthiness to visitors.
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10. Update Contact Information: Ensure your contact details are accurate, easily accessible, and displayed clearly across the website.
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11. Review Policies: Regularly update your privacy policy, terms of service, and any other legal documents, making sure they’re easy to find and understand.
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12. Display Trust Signals: Prominently feature any awards, certifications, endorsements, or positive customer reviews that can enhance your credibility.

Experience

13. Incorporate Personal Insights: Encourage content creators to include their personal experiences and insights, using first-person narratives where suitable.
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14. Highlight Practical Knowledge: Showcase real-life applications of the content discussed, such as case studies, success stories, or personal anecdotes.
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15. Use Authentic Imagery: Include genuine photos or videos of your team, your products in action, or your services being delivered.
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16. Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments, questions, and feedback publicly to demonstrate your involvement and commitment to your visitors.

To sum up, making your website shine online means showing off your know-how, building trust, and sharing real, hands-on experiences.

Sticking to these key ideas helps you get along with Google's rules and builds a strong bond with your visitors.

As we keep up with the fast-paced internet world, let’s focus on being clear, trustworthy, and genuine.

This way, our websites won't just rank well – they'll make a real impact and connect deeply with everyone who visits. Remember, being authentic and straightforward is the secret to long-term success online.