Imagine you’re in the market for a new laptop and still deciding which brand to buy. You turn to the internet for reviews and comparisons, and you come across a website that claims to offer expert advice on the best laptops on the market. But you need to check if this website is trustworthy or if it’s just trying to sell you a particular brand. Should you trust this website with your hard-earned money

This scenario highlights the importance of the concept of YMYL, or “Your Money or Your Life.” YMYL pages, such as e-commerce websites, online banking services, and financial advice websites, could impact a person’s financial stability. In the same way, YMYL pages can also include technological advice websites, such as those that offer reviews and comparisons of electronic devices. Given the potential impact on people’s lives, YMYL pages are held to a higher standard of expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness. As you shop for products and services online, you must know YMYL pages and exercise caution when evaluating their credibility.

YMYL – Your Money or Your Life – is a term used by Google to describe certain types of websites that can significantly impact a user’s finances, health, safety, or overall well-being. Google has established strict guidelines for YMYL pages designed to ensure that they provide accurate, trustworthy, and helpful information. Websites that fail to meet these guidelines may be penalized in the search results or removed entirely.

This list of YMYL niches needs to be more by no means comprehensive. A YMYL page is any website that gives people advice, assists them in making decisions, motivates them to do something, or has the potential to impact or otherwise affect their life. To determine which websites or pieces of content are YMYL, Google encourages search evaluators to apply their professional judgment.

If you frequently use Google Search, you’ve probably used it to look up information on a YMYL subject. Consider that you want to purchase a new car. In this scenario, you may have looked up answers to a variety of questions that are YMYL, such as how to choose which car to buy, how to dispose of your old car, and how to browse for cars online.

In this blog post, we will explore

1. What YMYL is?
2. Why it matters for SEO?
3. How to ensure your website meets YMYL guidelines?
4. Google EEAT and YMYL.

What is YMYL?

As mentioned, YMYL stands for Your Money or Your Life. Google first instructed its Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines (SQEG), which train evaluators that Google employs to evaluate the quality of its search results. According to Google, YMYL pages “could potentially impact the future happiness, health, financial stability, or safety of users.”

Examples of YMYL pages for your better understanding:

• Pages that offer financial advice or products, such as credit cards, loans, or investment advice.
• Pages that offer medical or health information, including information about specific diseases, treatments, or medical procedures.
• Pages that offer legal advice or information, such as those related to immigration, or criminal law.
• Pages that offer information about products or services that could impact a person’s safety, such as car safety ratings or information about prescription drugs.
• Pages that offer information about major life decisions, such as those related to parenting, education, or career choices.

This list of YMYL niches needs to be more by no means comprehensive. An YMYL page is any website that gives people advice, assists them in making decisions, motivates them to do something, or has the potential to impact their life or otherwise affect their life. To determine which websites or pieces of content are YMYL, Google encourages search evaluators to apply their professional judgment.

If you frequently use Google Search, you’ve probably used it to look up information on an YMYL subject. Consider that you want to purchase a new car. In this scenario, you may have looked up answers to a variety of questions that are YMYL, such as how to choose which car to buy, how to dispose of your old car, and how to browse for cars online.

Why does YMYL matter for SEO?

Google considers YMYL pages highly important and holds them to a higher standard regarding the quality, accuracy, and reliability of the information they provide. That is because incorrect or unreliable information on such pages could negatively affect users’ lives. For this reason, Google has established strict guidelines for YMYL pages, and Websites that do not meet these guidelines risk losing their rankings in search engine results or remove entirely.

From an SEO perspective, if your website provides content that falls into the YMYL category, it is essential to ensure that it meets Google’s quality guidelines. Doing so will help your website to maintain or improve its rankings, attract more traffic, and establish your brand as a trustworthy source of information. Additionally, providing high-quality YMYL content can help you build a loyal audience and establish yourself as an expert in your field.

How to ensure your website meets YMYL guidelines

If your website offers any content that could be considered YMYL, it is important to ensure that it meets Google’s guidelines. Here are some steps you can take to ensure that your website is YMYL-compliant:

1. Provide accurate and up-to-date information: One of the most significant things you can do to ensure that your YMYL content is compliant is to provide accurate and up-to-date information. This means researching, citing credible sources, and updating your content regularly to reflect changes or updates. For example, if you offer advice or information related to health or finance, it is imperative to ensure that your data is accurate and up-to-date. Consider including disclaimers or other notices that make it clear that your information is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice.
2. Provide accurate and up-to-date information: One of the most significant things you can do to ensure that your YMYL content is compliant is to provide accurate and up-to-date information. This means researching, citing credible sources, and updating your content regularly to reflect changes or updates. For example, if you offer advice or information related to health or finance, it is imperative to ensure that your data is accurate and up-to-date. Consider including disclaimers or other notices that make it clear that your information is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice.
3. Demonstrate expertise, authority, and trustworthiness: Another key factor of YMYL compliance is demonstrating expertise, authority, and trustworthiness. That means establishing yourself or your website as a credible source of information in your niche or industry. You can include author bios, links to your credentials or experience, and testimonials or other social proof demonstrating your expertise and credibility. Consider obtaining certifications or other credentials that establish your expertise in your field.
4. Ensure a positive user experience: Besides providing the accurate and trustworthy information, it is also important to ensure that your YMYL content provides a positive user experience. That means ensuring your website is easy to navigate, loads quickly and is mobile-friendly. You should also consider the design and layout of your website, as well as the readability of your content. Make sure that your content is well-organized, easy to scan, and uses readable font size and style.
5. Comply with legal and ethical standards: Finally, ensuring that your YMYL content complies with all relevant legal and ethical standards is important. This includes complying with laws related to consumer protection, data privacy, and advertising. You should also avoid using deceptive or misleading tactics to promote your products or services. This includes avoiding false or exaggerated claims, deceptive pricing or discounting practices, or misleading images or videos.

Google EEAT and YMYL: How do you optimize and build trust by following the guideline?

Let’s say you have a website that sells skincare products. To optimize your product page content’s E-E-A-T and YMYL factors, 

• You should demonstrate your expertise by providing accurate, well-researched content about your products. Hire qualified writers and use credible sources to establish yourself as an authority in the skincare industry. 
• Showcase your team’s qualifications, such as degrees or certifications, to build authority and trust with potential customers.
• Ensure your website is authoritative by highlighting industry awards, recognition, or accolades. Displaying this information will help establish your website as a trusted source of information in the skincare industry.
• Demonstrate trustworthiness by displaying your contact information, physical address, and privacy policy. Use secure payment options and SSL certificates to protect customer data and ensure security.
• And, if your website deals with YMYL topics, such as medical advice or health claims, ensure that your content is accurate, up-to-date, and verified by credible sources. Provide transparent and easy-to-understand information about your products’ ingredients, usage, and potential benefits to assist customers in making informed decisions.

By following this, you can optimize and build trust by following the guideline, improving your website’s visibility in Google search results and building trust with potential customers seeking skincare products.