EEAT for Different Content Types: Reviews, Guides, News, and Landing Pages
E-E-A-T requirements vary significantly by content type. A product review needs strong Experience signals; a technical guide needs Expertise. Understanding which E-E-A-T dimensions matter most for your content type helps you prioritize optimization efforts and meet user expectations.
Priority by Content Type
- • Product Reviews: Experience > Trust > Expertise
- • How-To Guides: Expertise > Trust > Experience
- • News Articles: Authority > Trust > Expertise
- • Landing Pages: Trust > Authority > Experience
Product Reviews #
Primary Focus: Experience
Users reading product reviews want to know: “Have you actually used this?” Experience signals are critical:
Essential for Reviews
- First-person narrative (“I tested”, “After 3 months”)
- Original photos of your actual product
- Sensory details (how it feels, sounds, looks)
- Specific test data from your usage
- Honest critique including cons
Trust is also critical: Disclose affiliate relationships. All-positive reviews without cons trigger distrust.
How-To Guides and Tutorials #
Primary Focus: Expertise
Users want accurate, reliable instructions from someone who knows the topic deeply:
Essential for Guides
- Comprehensive coverage of the topic
- Accurate technical information
- Clear step-by-step structure
- Author credentials relevant to the topic
- Common pitfalls and troubleshooting
Experience is less critical unless the guide is about personal skills. “I tested” language is less important than accuracy and depth.
News and Journalism #
Primary Focus: Authority and Trust
News content needs to demonstrate credibility and accuracy:
Essential for News
- Authoritative sources cited
- Clear attribution and bylines
- Publication date and updates
- Editorial standards disclosed
- Balanced reporting
Trust signals are paramount: Corrections policy, fact-checking process, editorial independence.
Landing Pages #
Primary Focus: Trust
Users on landing pages are evaluating whether to transact. Trust infrastructure is essential:
Essential for Landing Pages
- Clear contact information
- Privacy policy and terms
- Security indicators (HTTPS, badges)
- Social proof (testimonials, logos)
- Transparent pricing and policies
Experience signals are often not applicable—there's no product to have experienced yet. Focus on organizational credibility.
Comparison Articles #
Primary Focus: Expertise + Experience
Comparisons need both deep knowledge and hands-on testing:
- Side-by-side testing data
- Clear methodology explained
- Balanced assessment of each option
- Specific use case recommendations
- Visual comparisons (photos, tables)
E-E-A-T Priority Matrix #
| Content Type | Experience | Expertise | Authority | Trust |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product Review | Critical | Medium | Medium | High |
| How-To Guide | Low | Critical | Medium | High |
| News Article | Low | Medium | Critical | Critical |
| Landing Page | N/A | Low | High | Critical |
| Comparison | High | High | Medium | High |
AI Search Implications #
AI search engines adapt their citation criteria to content type:
- For reviews: AI looks for original testing data and honest critique
- For guides: AI values comprehensive coverage and technical accuracy
- For news: AI prioritizes authoritative sources and recency
- For landing pages: AI rarely cites these directly—focus on trust for users
Product Manager at Seenos.ai. Pioneer in AEO research since 2024, exploring the convergence of SEO and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization). Led multiple AI-powered content optimization projects that achieved 300%+ citation increases in ChatGPT and Perplexity.