E.A.T / SEO Terms E.A.T E-A-T stands for Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness, a set of quality criteria used by Google to evaluate the credibility of content, particularly for websites that publish health, finance, legal, or safety-related information. E-A-T is a core part of Google’s Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines, which are used by human raters to assess how well search results meet users’ needs. While E-A-T itself is not a direct ranking factor, it influences how Google interprets signals that reflect the quality and reliability of content. Expertise refers to the depth of knowledge displayed by the content creator. This can include formal credentials or real-life experience, depending on the topic. For example, a doctor writing about heart health or a cancer survivor sharing their personal story both demonstrate expertise in different ways. Authoritativeness relates to the reputation of the creator, the website and the brand in the broader community. This can be reflected through mentions, citations, reviews or backlinks from other reputable sources. Trustworthiness focuses on transparency, accuracy, security and the integrity of the content and site. Factors such as HTTPS encryption, clear authorship, contact information and fact-checked claims support this. To align with E-A-T principles, content creators and marketers should ensure that their content is accurate, well-sourced and clearly attributed. Adding author bios, citing reputable references, showcasing credentials and encouraging user reviews can strengthen perceived authority and trust. For nonprofits, B2B, and DTC brands alike, E-A-T helps build credibility and long-term search visibility. It is especially important for pages that influence major life decisions or personal well-being, often called “Your Money or Your Life” (YMYL) content.