Creating Healthcare YMYL Content demands extra care, credibility, and compliance — it’s not the same as writing a regular blog post. Because this type of content directly affects a person’s health, safety, or well-being, Google enforces the highest standards. When you write about symptoms, treatments, mental health, or insurance, you must prioritise accuracy and trust. One mistake can harm your readers and damage your brand’s credibility.
💡 Not sure what qualifies as YMYL? Learn what YMYL is and why it’s important for healthcare SEO.
This checklist will help you ensure your Healthcare YMYL Content is medically accurate, ethically sound, search-optimised — and most importantly, safe and helpful for your audience.
1. Have You Verified the Author’s Credentials?
Google expects YMYL content to be written or reviewed by qualified experts. Healthcare audiences expect the same.
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Why it matters: Expertise and authoritativeness are crucial for building trust and meeting Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) standards.
2. Does It Reflect Current Medical Knowledge?
In the healthcare field, outdated advice can mislead readers or cause harm. Content must reflect the most recent and reliable clinical knowledge.
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Pro tip: Schedule regular content reviews (e.g. every 6–12 months) to ensure ongoing accuracy.
3. Are Claims Supported with Reliable Sources?
Every health-related claim should be evidence-based and verifiable. Vague, uncited statements erode credibility.
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SEO insight: Accurate citations help search engines verify and rank your content more favourably.
4. Is the Language Accessible to Non-Medical Readers?
Even complex health information must be digestible. Clarity is key — especially for patients and caregivers.
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UX tip: Use conversational tone and plain English to improve time-on-page and lower bounce rates.
5. Are Visuals and Infographics Accurate?
Visual elements must be informative and aligned with medical accuracy.
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Extra note: Infographics should enhance understanding, not oversimplify critical information.
6. Have You Declared Conflicts of Interest or Disclaimers?
Transparency is non-negotiable in YMYL content. Always disclose any affiliations or limitations.
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Trust signal: Honest disclosure builds credibility with both users and regulators.
7. Is There a Clear and Appropriate CTA?
In healthcare, your call-to-action (CTA) should reflect the reader’s intent — not push for sales.
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Best practice: Prioritise user benefit. Ethical CTAs convert better over time.
8. Has It Been Proofread for Accuracy and Tone?
Spelling errors and clumsy phrasing undermine even the most credible advice.
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Tip: Use both a professional proofreader and a subject matter expert for final checks.
9. Is It Mobile-Optimised and Fast-Loading?
The majority of users access healthcare content on mobile. Technical performance affects engagement and SEO.
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SEO insight: Google’s mobile-first indexing heavily prioritises mobile usability in YMYL topics.
10. Does It Comply with Relevant Data Protection Laws?
If your content collects user information — for bookings, downloads or subscriptions — you must meet data protection standards.
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Legal tip: Even passive data collection (like analytics) must be disclosed with user consent.
Creating Healthcare YMYL Content comes with high stakes — your words shape real decisions, not just drive traffic. You must check every detail: factual accuracy, author credentials, ethical CTAs, and compliance. This checklist helps you publish responsibly, build trust, strengthen authority, and improve SEO performance.
Use this as your final check before publishing — and feel confident your content is ready to inform, guide, and support your audience the right way.
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