Quick facts
The September 2023 Helpful Content Update began on 14 September 2023 and finished around 27 September 2023. It was a helpful content update, a sitewide signal aimed at content created mainly to attract search clicks rather than help people.
What was the September 2023 Helpful Content Update?
Refined the helpful content system; many independent publishers reported volatility. Content written for people with real expertise performs better than content built around keywords alone.
Dates are taken from Google’s Search Status Dashboard and may be off by a day because end dates are calculated from the stated rollout length.
Who was affected?
Visibility changes can show up in rankings, clicks and impressions. Check the rollout window in Google Search Console and compare it with the previous period. Seasonality and tracking changes can also cause movement, so look at several weeks of data.
What to do after the September 2023 Helpful Content Update
- Audit your content for pages that exist mainly to rank.
- Remove, merge or rewrite thin and repetitive pages.
- Add first-hand experience, original insight and clear sourcing.
- Make sure each page fully answers the query it targets.
- Be patient; sitewide signals can take time to reassess.
Related updates
- Previous: August 2023 Core Update
- Next: October 2023 Spam Update
- Full Google algorithm updates timeline (2021 to 2026)
- Get an SEO audit after a ranking change
Frequently asked questions
When did the September 2023 Helpful Content Update roll out?
According to Google’s Search Status Dashboard it rolled out from 14 September 2023 to about 27 September 2023.
Was the September 2023 Helpful Content Update a penalty?
No. It was a ranking system update, not a manual penalty, so there is no reconsideration request to file.
How do I check if my site was affected?
Compare clicks and impressions in Google Search Console before, during and after the rollout, and look at which pages and queries changed.
Lost rankings after an update?
We review what changed, find the cause and build a recovery plan.
