Experience Signals for Guides vs Reviews: What's Different
Experience signals matter differently for guides and reviews. A product review needs strong first-person narrative, original photos, and hands-on testing data. A how-to guide prioritizes expertise and accuracy—excessive “I tested” language can actually distract from the instructions.
Key Differences
- • Reviews: All 5 experience signals are critical
- • Guides: Expertise matters more than personal narrative
- • Both: Honest critique (pitfalls, limitations) adds value
Experience Signals for Product Reviews #
Reviews answer: “Should I buy this?” Users want proof you actually used it.
Essential for Reviews
- E01 Narrative: “I tested for 3 months” — Critical
- E02 Sensory: How it feels, sounds, looks — Critical
- E03 Visual: Your own photos — Critical
- E04 Data: Your test measurements — Important
- E05 Critique: Cons and limitations — Critical
Experience Signals for How-To Guides #
Guides answer: “How do I do this?” Users want accurate, complete instructions.
Adjusted for Guides
- E01 Narrative: Optional — Don't force “I tested”
- E02 Sensory: Low priority — Focus on clarity
- E03 Visual: Screenshots showing steps — Important
- E04 Data: Not typically applicable
- E05 Critique: Common pitfalls to avoid — Important
Signal Comparison #
| Signal | Product Review | How-To Guide |
|---|---|---|
| First-Person Narrative | Critical | Optional |
| Sensory Details | Critical | Low |
| Original Images | Critical | Screenshots |
| Exclusive Data | Important | N/A |
| Critique/Pitfalls | Critical | Important |
What Guides Need Instead #
For guides, prioritize Expertise signals over Experience:
- Comprehensive coverage: All aspects of the topic
- Accurate information: Technically correct
- Clear structure: Logical step-by-step flow
- Author credentials: Why should users trust this guide?
- Common mistakes: “Pitfalls to avoid” section adds experience value
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.