October 23, 2025

Be seen. Be heard. Be found.

E-E-A-T: Trust is the New Algorithm


Trust is the new algorithm, and the code is E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness).

What the heck are we talking about now... things are moving fast! If you want AI (that now includes browsers like that recently released ChatGPT) to cite you, you need to meet Google’s demanding criteria. And it is demanding ... of your time, resources and general budgets.


For Australian SMBs in 2026, Trust is the new algorithm, and the code is E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). This framework is now the primary filter for AI-driven results. Websites are going from a destination to a datasource competing for visibility.

Playing the AI visibility game

Here’s how to pivot your content team to win the E-E-A-T game. This information is relevant regardless of the size of your business (as long as you care about showing up online).

  • Embrace the ‘Experience’

    Embrace the ‘Experience’ The 'E' prioritises content based on first-hand knowledge. 


    Stop publishing recycled articles. Instead, showcase real-world results through detailed case studies (like the how your business helped a client achieve excellent results via your systems, expertise or strategy). Be specific!

  • Unleash the Subject-Matter Experts

    Your marketers should pivot from creation to facilitation. 


    Have your internal consultants, researchers, or certified professionals publish under their own names. 


    This builds 'expertise credibility' faster than a generic corporate blog can. Which let's be honest you know no one is ready. People are attracted to people and are looking for authenticity.

  • Get Technical with Trust

    This is where it gets technical. You need to validate your E-E-A-T with structured data. 


    Implement Person or Author schema to formally link your SME’s identity to the content. 


    Use Review and Aggregate Rating schema on key pages to prove your trustworthiness to the AI systems

If I could recommend on key action item (particularly for medium sized business) it's to move content creation authority from your marketing team to your internal experts (with the marketing team's help) to create authentic. original content based on real experts.


Have a question or two? Connect with us.

SEARCH ARTICLE

SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS

RECENT POST:

A man in a brown jacket and woman in a suit shake hands across an office desk, with others in the background.
By Ben Hayward March 31, 2026
A cautionary tale for web agencies and developers who've ever pushed down a gut feeling to close a deal — and the hard lessons we're still applying today.
By Ben Hayward March 17, 2026
AI agents are a super hot topic at the moment, but for the average SME style business, what does that look like?
A person holding a phone displaying the
By Ben Hayward March 4, 2026
Before any website strategy could be developed, a thorough understanding of the business, its clients, and its competitive environment was essential.
By Ben Hayward February 23, 2026
Here's how it typically goes. Business is growing, leads are coming in, but marketing feels chaotic and reactive. Someone suggests hiring a dedicated marketing person ...
Smartphone displaying the Facebook app logo against a background of the Facebook logo.
By Ben Hayward February 23, 2026
Navigating the Meta ecosystem in 2026 can feel like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube that changes colors every time you make a move ...
Blue glowing ghost floating above a laptop screen displaying a productivity board.
By Ben Hayward February 17, 2026
Ghostflation is the invisible cost that builds up when a client ghosts a project, then returns expecting to pick up right where you left off ... after a year.
By Ben Hayward January 28, 2026
SEO and AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) are like planting an epic vege patch. It takes time, consistent care and patience.