# E-E-A-T Evaluation Criteria (March 2026)

> Author: Laurent Rochetta | BMAD+ SEO Engine v2.0
> Based on: Google Quality Rater Guidelines (September 2025 update)

## Overview

E-E-A-T = **Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness**

Google's quality raters evaluate pages on these four dimensions. While not a direct ranking factor, E-E-A-T signals influence how Google's algorithms assess content quality and YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) pages.

> Since March 2024, the Helpful Content System is merged into Google's core algorithm. Enforcement is continuous, not via separate HCU updates.

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## Experience (25 points)

First-hand, real-world experience with the topic.

| Signal | Points | How to Detect |
|--------|--------|---------------|
| Original research or case studies | 8 | Unique data, before/after results, proprietary findings |
| First-hand process documentation | 6 | Step-by-step from personal experience, production screenshots |
| Unique media from direct experience | 6 | Original photos, self-recorded videos, personal screenshots |
| Specific examples and anecdotes | 5 | Named examples, concrete details, real scenarios |

**Red flags**: Generic advice that could come from any source, stock photos only, no personal perspective.

---

## Expertise (25 points)

Demonstrable knowledge and skill in the subject area.

| Signal | Points | How to Detect |
|--------|--------|---------------|
| Author credentials visible | 7 | Bio with qualifications, certifications, professional background |
| Technical depth appropriate | 7 | Correct terminology, nuanced explanations, awareness of edge cases |
| Well-sourced claims | 6 | Citations to studies, official documentation, linked sources |
| Comprehensive topic coverage | 5 | Covers subtopics, addresses counterarguments, FAQ sections |

**Red flags**: No author identified, surface-level coverage, factual errors, outdated information.

---

## Authoritativeness (25 points)

Recognition as a trusted source by peers and industry.

| Signal | Points | How to Detect |
|--------|--------|---------------|
| External citations / references | 7 | Backlinks from authoritative sites, cited in industry publications |
| Brand recognition signals | 7 | Awards, partnerships, media mentions, client logos |
| Author published elsewhere | 6 | Guest posts, conference talks, books, academic papers |
| Expert endorsements | 5 | Testimonials from peers, quoted by other experts |

**Red flags**: Brand-new domain with no web presence, no external references, no social proof.

---

## Trustworthiness (25 points)

Transparency, accuracy, and confidence in the source.

| Signal | Points | How to Detect |
|--------|--------|---------------|
| Contact info and physical address | 7 | Phone, email, postal address, About page |
| Privacy policy and terms | 5 | Legal pages present, accessible, and up-to-date |
| HTTPS and security signals | 5 | Valid SSL, HSTS, security headers present |
| Transparent authorship and dates | 5 | Author byline, publication date, last updated date |
| Customer proof | 3 | Verified reviews, testimonials, case studies |

**Red flags**: No contact information, anonymous content, no dates, misleading claims, HTTP only.

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## YMYL Pages — Higher Standards

YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) topics require **elevated E-E-A-T**:

| YMYL Category | Examples | E-E-A-T Bar |
|---------------|----------|-------------|
| Health | Medical advice, symptoms, treatments | Very High — requires medical expertise |
| Finance | Investment, tax, insurance, banking | Very High — requires financial credentials |
| Safety | Product safety, emergency info | Very High |
| Legal | Legal rights, contracts, regulations | Very High — requires legal expertise |
| News | Current events, political coverage | High — requires journalistic standards |
| Shopping | Product reviews, comparisons | Moderate-High |

---

## AI Content Assessment (Sept 2025 QRG Addition)

Google raters now formally assess AI-generated content.

### Acceptable AI Content
- Demonstrates genuine E-E-A-T despite AI assistance
- Provides unique value (not just rephrased existing content)
- Has clear human oversight and editing
- Contains original analysis, insights, or perspective
- Includes first-party data or real-world evidence

### Low-Quality AI Content Markers
- Generic phrasing with no specificity
- Repetitive structure across multiple pages (cookie-cutter)
- No original insights or unique data
- Missing author attribution entirely
- Factual inaccuracies or hallucinated statistics
- Excessive use of filler words and hedging language

---

## Scoring Methodology

**Total E-E-A-T Score = Experience + Expertise + Authoritativeness + Trustworthiness (out of 100)**

| Range | Rating | Interpretation |
|-------|--------|---------------|
| 80–100 | Excellent | Strong signals across all dimensions |
| 60–79 | Good | Solid foundation with room to improve |
| 40–59 | Needs Work | Significant gaps in one or more areas |
| 20–39 | Poor | Major deficiencies undermining credibility |
| 0–19 | Critical | Lacking basic trust and expertise signals |