ONE FOCUSED ACTION

Publish a clear content policy for user-generated content.

User-generated content SEO

1 checklist items

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    Why this matters

    A content policy sets expectations and standards that reduce spam and offensive posts, improving user experience and SEO quality.

    A STARTING-POINT EXAMPLE

    Hypothetical standard operating procedure

    Adapt this example to your site, access, tools, and change process. It is our suggested procedure, informed by the sources below.

    1. Draft a content policy covering acceptable behavior and content types.
    2. Publish the policy prominently on pages hosting UGC.
    3. Educate users on the policy and enforce it via moderators or automation.
    4. Regularly review and update the policy based on evolving needs.
    5. Monitor UGC compliance and take action on violations.

    Watch for

    Without a policy, spam and low-quality content can proliferate, harming SEO and user trust.

    Definition of done

    Content policy is accessible and enforced across all UGC sections, reducing spam and complaints.

    Sources & attribution

    1. Common challenges with user-generated content and how to overcome them - Google AdSense Help ↗
    2. Creating Helpful Content - Google Search Central ↗

    Original checklist wording and example SOP by Best SEO Checklist, using source-grounded AI assistance. Editorial contact: Ted Kubaitis, @tedkubaitis on Teams. Check current source guidance before implementation.