E-E-A-T Audit: The Complete 2026 Audit Checklist

An E-E-A-T audit systematically evaluates signals Google uses for Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust. Unlike a technical SEO audit, it evaluates the qualitative signals determining whether your content deserves to rank. In 2026, this audit is essential preparation for any core update.

This checklist is organized by the four E-E-A-T pillars plus cross-cutting signals.

• [ ] Every content creator has a published bio page with specific experience indicators (years active, cases handled, products tested)
• [ ] Experience claims are verifiable through external sources (LinkedIn, institutional profiles, published work)
• [ ] Content includes first-hand details: specific timeframes, personal observations, unique insights
• [ ] Original media (photos, screenshots, videos) accompanies experience-based claims
• [ ] Product reviews specify duration and conditions of use; case studies include specific metrics
• [ ] No generic content that could be written without first-hand knowledge; comparative content based on real testing

• [ ] Authors have relevant formal credentials with issuing institutions and verification methods
• [ ] Credential verification links are functional, pointing to authoritative sources
• [ ] Schema.org/Person markup includes hasCredential, alumniOf, knowsAbout
• [ ] Professional licenses include license numbers and issuing body names
• [ ] Peer-reviewed publications linked with DOIs or PubMed IDs
• [ ] Content demonstrates depth beyond surface level; technical terminology used correctly
• [ ] Claims supported by citations to authoritative sources; multiple perspectives presented on complex topics
• [ ] Content distinguishes established facts from emerging research; no factual errors in spot-checks

• [ ] Referring domains are topically relevant; link acquisition patterns appear natural
• [ ] Anchor text distribution is varied; no toxic or spammy backlinks
• [ ] Links from .gov, .edu, and recognized industry sites exist where expected
• [ ] Brand mentions tracked across news, social, and review platforms; unlinked mentions identified
• [ ] Entity recognition in Google Knowledge Graph verified
• [ ] Industry award and recognition pages are current
• [ ] Third-party reviews exist on verified platforms (G2, Trustpilot, Google)
• [ ] Guest contributions on authoritative sites published; media mentions tracked

• [ ] HTTPS with valid TLS certificate (not expired or self-signed); HSTS headers implemented
• [ ] Privacy policy and terms of service are published and comprehensive
• [ ] Cookie consent mechanism compliant with regional laws
• [ ] Contact information includes physical address and phone number
• [ ] Content accuracy verified against authoritative sources; update dates visible on every page
• [ ] Correction and retraction policies published; outdated content updated or redirected
• [ ] No exaggerated or misleading claims; affiliate disclosures prominent and FTC-compliant
• [ ] About Us page includes company history and leadership
• [ ] Google Business Profile verified and complete; business registration current
• [ ] Editorial policy and content governance documentation published
• [ ] Funding sources and business model transparent; customer review response rate 90%+

• [ ] Organization schema includes taxID, vatID, duns where applicable
• [ ] Person schema for all authors; Article/WebPage includes datePublished, dateModified, lastReviewed
• [ ] Review schema with @id linking to author; Product schema with review and aggregateRating; all schema passes Rich Results Test
• [ ] Content creation process, editorial workflow, and fact-checking protocol documented; expert review requirements for YMYL defined
• [ ] Medical content created/reviewed by professionals; financial content includes disclaimers; legal content specifies jurisdiction; news follows journalistic standards
• [ ] All YMYL content has review dates within 12 months

Score each item: 2 (fully), 1 (partially), 0 (not). 90-100%: strong. 70-89%: moderate — address priority gaps. 50-69%: weak — ranking risk. Below 50%: critical — immediate action.

Run this E-E-A-T audit quarterly and after every Google core update. The audit should inform your content roadmap, author recruitment, and technical improvements. E-E-A-T is not a one-time project — it correlates directly with search performance stability. Start today, address highest-impact gaps first, and re-audit after each improvement cycle.

Inline citations: 1. Google. (2024). Search Quality Rater Guidelines. https://static.googleusercontent.com/media/guidelines.raterhub.com/en/searchqualityevaluatorguidelines.pdf 2. Google Search Central. (2025). Core Updates and E-E-A-T. https://developers.google.com/search/updates/core-updates 3. Schema.org. (2025). Schema Markup Validation. https://validator.schema.org/