Google’s Search Liaison, Danny Sullivan, recently revealed how he relays feedback from the public to others within Google.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sullivan shared screenshots of a document submitted to Google’s search team, highlighting his discussions with users, including their thoughts, concerns, and suggestions.
This uncommon glimpse into the inner workings of Google shows that the company is aware of key issues publishers face following recent core updates.
Additionally, it underscores that Google must improve how it communicates recommendations to publishers and clarify what it means to create “people-first” content.
Key Issue #1: What Is People-First Content?
A key issue many users raised, Sullivan says, is the challenge of creating “people-first content” that serves users instead of Google.
“They want to be found on Google, so they want to please Google, and the concept that the best way to please us is to actually not think about us is difficult to grasp.”
A suggestion Sullivan offers to the Google Search team is to find new ways to communicate this message:
“… it would be well worth the effort for us to find new ways to approach this and reiterate this guidance.”
Additionally, Sullivan suggests that Google amends its guidance around publishers comparing themselves to sites at the top of search results: