Q-03 Main content must show sufficient effort and skill

Why it matters

Content that repeats what is already online, or that contains errors a specialist would spot, gives readers no reason to trust it or return. Google's guidance on helpful, people-first content looks for visible effort, original work and real skill. Pages that show their testing, data and review give search and AI systems something distinct to rely on.

How to implement

1. Add first-party data or real tests, backed by screenshots, photos, video or measurements.
2. Build a calculator, comparison engine or decision tool where it helps, and test its edge cases.
3. Review AI drafts for facts and editorial quality before publishing.
4. Ask someone with subject knowledge to review expert content.
5. Check that videos, graphics and tables are readable and useful, and that technical terms are correct.

Checklist

• Add first-party data or real tests.
• Provide screenshots, photos, video or measurements.
• Build a calculator, comparison engine or decision tool.
• Put AI drafts through factual and editorial review.
• Have content that needs expertise reviewed by a person with subject knowledge.
• Test tools and calculators for edge cases.
• Make videos, graphics and tables genuinely readable and useful.
• Use correct terminology in technical guides.

How to audit

• Look for a concrete answer to the question 'What have we produced in this content that is not already available online?'
• Assess language, domain accuracy, usability and technical function separately.

Related controls

• Q-01 The page must let the user complete their task P1
• Q-02 Do not target a fixed word count or keyword density P2
• Q-05 Critical factual claims must be verified before publication P0
• Q-06 Claims must map directly to evidence, using primary sources where possible P0
• Q-07 Facts must carry subject, measure, unit, condition, date and geography P1

Sources

• [G2] Creating helpful, reliable, people-first content