2.3 Body content, quality & non-commodity ✦MediumInferred
Outdated content
Content that has gone stale, old prices, dead tools, superseded advice, loses trust and rankings, especially for topics that change. Freshness is part of quality here.
What it is
Stale facts/dates.
Why it matters
Reduces trust and accuracy; may be demoted for freshness-sensitive queries.
How to fix it
Review and refresh; show update dates.
How to find it on your site
- Identify pages on fast-moving topics and check their last meaningful update.
- Verify facts, figures, screenshots and recommendations are current.
- Refresh the substance and update the visible date when you genuinely change it.
- Prune content that is no longer relevant.
Cross-reference to ranking and citation factors
For time-sensitive topics, freshness affects ranking and trust. Genuine updates keep the page competitive.
Impact
Low-medium. Inferred.
Evidence
Maintain accurate, current content. Google Search Central, Creating helpful, reliable, people-first content
Sources