YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) pages are those that may have an impact on a person’s happiness, health, financial stability, or safety in the future. Because YMYL pages require a greater level of experience, authority, and reliability, Google has unique recommendations for them. YMYL pages include the following:
- Legal advice
- Financial and investment advice
- Medical and health information
- News articles about important issues
Google mandates that the content writer have a specific level of competence and be able to present documentation of their qualifications for YMYL pages. Any potential conflicts of interest should be disclosed, and the content should be provided clearly and transparently. Furthermore, the website should be secure and simple to use. Google also suggests labeling YMYL sites as such so that readers are aware of the potential impact of the information they are reading.
In addition to the above-mentioned criteria, below are some more items to consider when constructing YMYL pages:
- Check that the content is correct, up-to-date, and well-researched.
- The use of sensational language or making inflated claims should be avoided.
- Provide sources for any material you present, and be sure they are trustworthy.
- When giving advice or making suggestions, be honest about any potential dangers or disadvantages, as well as any limitations of the council.
- Consider presenting users with several perspectives on a topic so they may make an informed decision for themselves.
- Be open to any financial links or affiliations that may have an impact on the content.
- The use of pop-ups or interstitials that could be deceptive or disruptive to the user experience should be avoided.
It’s worth noting that Google regularly checks YMYL pages and sites for compliance with their criteria. If a site is discovered to be non-compliant, it may be penalized, resulting in a loss in visibility and ranking in search results.
Here are some additional excellent practices to consider while establishing YMYL pages:
- Make sure the website is simple to use and accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.
- Encourage user participation by allowing them to provide feedback, comments, or questions.
- Provide contact information, such as an email address or phone number, so that users may get in touch with you if they have any questions or issues.
- Avoid jargon and technical phrases that may be difficult for some users to grasp by using straightforward and succinct language.
- Give users context and background information to assist them to grasp the importance of the content.
- Use photos, movies, and other forms of multimedia to enhance the text and make it more engaging.
- The use of pop-ups or interstitials that could be deceptive or disruptive to the user experience should be avoided.
It is critical to remember that the ultimate purpose of YMYL sites is to give users accurate, trustworthy, and valuable information. You can help guarantee that your YMYL pages accomplish that purpose and deliver a great user experience by following these recommendations and best practices.