Building Author Authority: The Key to SEO Success

• By Bhavik Sarkhedi
• 13-07-2023
• SEO

In the rapidly evolving world of SEO, one critical factor that's gaining substantial traction is 'Author Authority.' This article aims to delve into how author credibility plays a pivotal role in SEO success, providing you with actionable steps to build and maintain author authority.

In the rapidly evolving world of SEO, one critical factor that's gaining substantial traction is 'Author Authority.' The rise of the internet and digital media has reshaped the dynamics of content creation and distribution. It's no longer about churning out content en masse; it's about crafting quality content that stands out, resonates, and compels readers to action. This shift has brought the concept of author authority to the forefront. This article aims to delve into how author credibility plays a pivotal role in SEO success, providing you with actionable steps to build and maintain author authority.

To give you a gist of what you will read in this article, let me tell you with one example. I have been writing blogs and contributing articles for different magazines for 10 years now but I have seen one notable change. Before 5 years, as soon as I hit the publish button, my content would hide somewhere in Google’s 100th page. Now, if I do it, the content is ranking at 1st page.

I have written 8 books and given interviews in many podcasts and YouTube channels. Thus, Google now considers me as a reputed and reliable author. Got it?

Let’s start then!!

1. Understanding Author Authority in SEO

Definition and Importance of Author Authority

Author authority is the credibility and influence a content creator wields in their field. It's the measure of trust and respect that an author has earned through consistent, high-quality content that resonates with and provides value to their audience. More than a mere reputation, author authority extends to an author's ability to impact their audience's behavior, decisions, and perspectives. This forms a core component of SEO as search engines strive to provide users with the most trustworthy, authoritative content in response to their queries.

The Shift Towards Author-Centric SEO

As search engines evolve, they become increasingly sophisticated in determining the quality and relevance of content. One of the key shifts has been recognizing and prioritizing the influence of author authority on SEO. Google, for example, has made it clear that the expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (E-A-T) of content authors factor into their search algorithm. This emphasizes the importance of building strong author authority for SEO success.

I have written for Huffingtonpost, Entrepreneur, Yourstory, Inc, Buzzfeed and 35+ renowned blogs but this shift of giving the priority to reliable author is gradual and not sudden.

2. The Relationship Between High-Quality Content and Author Authority

How Quality Content Impacts Author Authority

The bedrock of author authority is high-quality content. But what exactly qualifies as "high-quality"? Essentially, it's content that is original, thoroughly researched, accurate, comprehensive, and most importantly, adds value to the reader. This content should resonate with the audience, meet their needs, answer their questions, or solve their problems. When authors consistently produce such content, they establish themselves as trustworthy and knowledgeable figures in their field, thereby enhancing their author authority.

The Role of Trust and Reputation in Building Authority

Trust is hard-earned and easily lost. Authors who deliver reliable, insightful content on a consistent basis not only foster trust with their audience, but they also build a solid reputation within their niche. This reputation can greatly impact author authority as it reflects the author's credibility and expertise in their field. Having a strong reputation also encourages backlinks from other reputable websites, further strengthening author authority and contributing to improved SEO rankings

3. Steps to Building Author Authority

Creating High-Quality, Valuable Content

Let's start with a cooking analogy. Think of your content as a dish you're serving to your audience. Would they prefer a hastily prepared, mediocre meal or a carefully crafted, delightful culinary experience? Just as the latter would win, high-quality content always trumps in the realm of authorship.

I always believe that the best way to build authority is to create content that is valuable and meaningful. It requires research, insights, and a good understanding of the audience's needs and preferences. Like a chef tailoring a meal to a diner's preferences, an authoritative author molds their content to resonate deeply with their audience.

No content will rank if it’s half-baked. Personally, I have written 1500+ blogs till date and honestly not every content ranks. That’s okay! If 20% of your content comes on Page 1, that’s fantastic. How will you achieve it? You write exceptional blogs, provide value and give helpful content to readers.

Establishing a Consistent Author Persona

In the world of writing, consistency is key. Just as you'd trust a familiar face more than a stranger, readers are more likely to trust authors whose voice and style they recognize and resonate with. A consistent author persona, identifiable across various pieces of content, can greatly enhance author authority.

I've noticed that by maintaining a consistent voice in my work, I not only build a strong connection with my audience, but also carve out a unique space for myself in the crowded digital landscape.

Building a Strong Online Presence

Imagine you're a skilled craftsman. If you keep your craft to yourself, very few people will recognize your talent. But if you showcase your work at various exhibitions, more people will recognize and appreciate your skills. Similarly, as a content creator, establishing a strong online presence across different platforms allows more people to see and engage with your content. This in turn enhances your author authority.

Don’t trust this approach? Google ‘Bhavik Sarkhedi’. You will see a verified Knowledge Panel. Strong online presence doesn’t just comes with writing quality content for famous publications, it comes with doing an overall improvement in your online presence.

Leveraging Social Media

The power of social media in this digital age is indisputable. Utilizing platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram can help authors connect directly with their audience, gain feedback, and build a loyal following. Sharing your thoughts, ideas, and content on these platforms amplifies your voice and enhances your author authority.

Do you still have to verify it? Check out all the famous authors and writers on social media and you will see continuous engagements and updates there. (Check mine if you don’t believe me, haha)

4. Maintaining Author Authority Over Time

Regular Content Updates and Engagement

Building authority is akin to nurturing a garden. It requires regular care and attention. You cannot just plant the seeds and expect a lush garden. Similarly, you need to consistently publish high-quality content and engage with your audience to maintain your author authority. I've found that regularly updating my content and engaging with my audience not only strengthens my authority but also provides me with insights to serve my audience better.

Nurturing Relationships and Networking

Networking is like weaving a strong web. The more connections you have, the stronger your web becomes. Forming relationships with other authors, industry leaders, and influencers can enhance your reputation and broaden your reach, further solidifying your author authority.

Monitoring Your Online Reputation

Just as a ship captain keeps an eye on the horizon for potential storms, an author must vigilantly monitor their online reputation. Regularly checking for mentions, feedback, and comments can help identify and address any issues that could harm your authority.

I keep a track of my LinkedIn posts and articles engagement alongside my personal blog section’s visitors and clicks to see the bounce rate, time spent on the blog and the website. This tells you many things, things no expert will tell you. These are deep insights.

5. The Impact of Author Authority on SEO Success

Improving Visibility and Rankings

A 2020 study by SEMrush highlighted that high-quality content is the most important SEO-related factor influencing a website's Google ranking. However, what makes content "high-quality" largely depends on the author's expertise and credibility, thus reinforcing the impact of author authority on SEO.

Authoritative authors tend to attract more backlinks from other reputable sites, which enhances a site's SEO ranking. In fact, Backlinko's analysis of 11.8 million Google search results found a clear correlation between the number of referring domains (i.e., backlinks) and higher Google rankings.

Enhancing User Trust and Engagement

A 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer report found that 61% of people rely on trusted content creators when making a decision. This indicates that users are more likely to trust and engage with content from authors they perceive as authoritative.

Increasing Organic Traffic

Having high author authority can significantly improve a website's organic traffic. A study by Ahrefs found that the top-ranking pages for 60% of keyword searches have some form of direct traffic. This suggests that the reputation and credibility of the author could be driving users directly to their content, bypassing search engines.

6. Conclusion: The Future of SEO and Author Authority

As we sail further into the digital age, the focus of SEO continues to shift and refine, with a noticeable trend towards valuing authenticity, expertise, and authority. The role of author authority has transitioned from being an auxiliary component to a central pillar of SEO strategies. And this shift is not a fleeting trend; it signifies a future where search engines and readers alike demand a higher degree of accountability, credibility, and quality from content creators.

Except Google and now Bing, nobody dares to see the future of SEO but it’s the foreseeable predictions or forecasts that we can do, right?

In light of this, we foresee a few key trends shaping the future of SEO:

Prioritization of E-A-T

Google's focus on expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (E-A-T) is anticipated to intensify. The search engine giant’s recent updates underline this commitment. For authors, this means that creating high-quality, reliable content and building a strong reputation in your field is not optional; it’s a prerequisite for SEO success.

Advanced Algorithms for Author Evaluation

We can expect search engines to develop more sophisticated methods of evaluating author authority. Future algorithms may factor in diverse elements such as social media influence, peer reviews, author recognition in media, and more.

Increased User Demand for Authoritative Content

The Edelman Trust Barometer 2021 highlighted that nearly two-thirds of consumers today are 'belief-driven buyers'. They value transparency, authenticity, and trustworthiness in the content they consume. This signals a growing demand for content that is not just well-crafted, but also comes from authoritative, reliable sources.

With these impending changes, it becomes clear that author authority will be a decisive factor in SEO success. However, as with anything of value, authority cannot be built overnight. It's akin to constructing a skyscraper - it requires a strong foundation, high-quality materials, and constant effort.

But the rewards, as I have experienced personally and observed in others, are significant. An increase in organic traffic, higher search rankings, and most importantly, a trust-based relationship with your readers - these are the hallmarks of a strong author authority.

It's time to look beyond just creating content, towards building a reputation, establishing credibility, and fostering trust. This is the future of SEO, and author authority stands at its heart. The question isn't whether you should invest time and effort in building author authority, but how and when you will start. Because as the digital landscape evolves, it's clear that those who prioritize author authority will lead the way.