Google Guidelines Update: Search Quality Raters

Update on Thursday, November 16, 2023, by Google Search Central

On November 16, significant updates were implemented to the Search Quality Rater Guidelines, aiming to streamline evaluation procedures. The revisions encompass several key areas, including the refinement of the “Needs Met” scale definitions, the provision of additional guidance for diverse web page types, and the inclusion of contemporary examples such as short-form videos. Outdated and redundant examples have been eliminated, while comprehensive rating guidance for forum and discussion pages has been expanded.

It’s crucial to emphasize that these adjustments do not signify any fundamental shifts in the underlying principles of the guidelines. Rather, they serve to enhance clarity and relevance in the evaluation process.

These guidelines represent the cornerstone for search raters tasked with assessing the performance of search ranking systems. However, it’s important to note that the ratings provided by these raters do not directly influence the rankings themselves. Instead, the guidelines underscore essential considerations regarding content usefulness within Google Search results.

To further aid content creators in understanding and aligning with these guidelines, comprehensive insights on creating user-centric, informative content have been compiled. These resources empower creators to self-assess their content and optimize its visibility and relevance within Google Search results.

Click to read the latest Google Algorithm update 2024.