Business Roundup Week Ending September 22

Google Updates Helpful Content System

Google has made a significant change to its guidelines for how it identifies helpful content.
The original language that described helpful content as “…written by people, for people…” was understood by many to mean that AI-generated content would be penalized.
This language has now been changed to read “helpful content created for people…”
The updated language appears to be less concerned about how the content is generated, and more concerned that the content is actually helpful to people and not just designed for search engines.
Are you using AI-generated content in your business? If not, is it time to consider it?
https://searchengineland.com/google-september-2023-helpful-content-system-update-rolling-out-431978

Last week saw lots of public conversation in the WordPress community over plugin rankings on .com vs. .org.
News Roundup 2023-09
Changes to the recommended hosting page on WordPress.org have some community members curious.
Some have noted that last Friday, WordPress.com was added to the list of recommended hosts.
- Web Archive – Sept 14
- Web Archive – Sept 15
This follows the removal of Siteground from the recommended list back in July.
- Web Archive – July 6
- Web Archive – July 12
Odd timing?

Alex Stine, a longtime WordPress contributor, has been awarded a fellowship by the WPCC for his work improving WordPress accessibility.
The fellowship provides 5 paid hours per week for 6 months to focus on WordPress accessibility initiatives.
It will allow Alex to continue his excellent work to improve the current state of Gutenberg accessibility.
Congratulations Alex and excellent work WPCC!
https://wptavern.com/wp-community-collective-funds-first-fellowship-for-accessibility-contributor-alex-stine