Show who wrote it, how it was made and why it exists, with real bylines and author pages
| Impact | Evidence | Applies to | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medium | Official guidance | Google, Bing | Oct 30, 2026 |
Why it matters
Google's Who, How and Why framework asks for accurate bylines, an explanation of how content was produced and a purpose beyond attracting search traffic. E-E-A-T is not a direct ranking factor, but Google's systems use signals that align with it, and trust weighs most, especially on YMYL topics. Fabricated authors and AI-generated headshots are called out as deceptive.
How to do it
- Add a byline linking to an author page with real credentials and other work
- Explain methodology on reviews, tests and data pieces
- Disclose when and how automation or AI was used if readers would reasonably expect it
Sources
- Creating helpful, reliable, people-first content · Google Search Central, Oct 5, 2026
Change history
| Date | Change | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 30, 2026 | Added | Added to the rulebook. |
Checked against its sources every Monday. Only content changes are listed.