Your-Money-or-Your-Life (YMYL)

Your Money or Your Life (YMYL) is a term used by Google to classify types of content that can directly affect a person’s health, financial security, safety or overall well-being. This includes pages offering medical, legal or financial advice, as well as news about public policy or critical life decisions. Because this content influences real-world outcomes, it is held to the highest standards for accuracy, trust and authoritativeness.

Google expects YMYL content to demonstrate high levels of Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness (known as E-E-A-T). Pages in this category should clearly identify the author, cite reputable sources and reflect up-to-date, fact-checked information. For example, health-related content should be reviewed by qualified medical professionals, and financial articles should reflect advice from certified experts. Failure to meet these expectations can result in lower search visibility and reduced credibility with users.

For organizations that publish YMYL content, quality is critical. This applies to nonprofits sharing health guidance, financial institutions offering planning tools and media outlets reporting on politics or safety. Clear language, strong sourcing, accessible design and transparent authorship all contribute to a trustworthy user experience. Whether you are educating your audience on nutrition, explaining tax policies or helping users understand their rights, YMYL content should be accurate, respectful and responsible at every level.