Disclaimer: This blog makes money through affiliate links. It costs you nothing but means we get a small amount to help keep the blog going. All affiliate links are denoted clearly with the asterisk.

If you want to make money blogging, you need to rank well on Google. That means you need to bb an expert in the topic. What does that mean for you?

Google has updated its algorithm yet again. To be honest, this happens a lot, and the summer update last year hit a lot of people. Then there was another in December that also hit people. The two updates involved one thing: Google wants people to be an “expert” on the topic they are writing about.

Does that mean you need to get a PhD in a topic? Does it mean you need to head back to school to show off some qualifications? Really, it’s all going to depend on the type of topic you write about, but in most cases, you won’t need to.

Experts in the medical field

I’ll start with the medical field. If you’re blogging about this topic, then you’ll want to be an expert. Google will want to make sure you are giving only the best and correct information. To be honest, though, I do think it’s hard to rank for medical topics. If I’m going to read about a medical topic, I’m going straight to Mayo Clinic or Psychology Today depending on if it’s physical or mental.

There are other fields where having training could really help. I’m talking about law, other sciences, etc. It’s important to give the correct information at all times.

Blogging from your point of view

When it comes to other topics, you likely already are an expert. Google wants to see that you’re giving information from your own experience. That’s what makes you an expert.

I’ve often written in the first person POV. I want you to see what I’ve done to help build my writing business so you can do it. On other blogs, I’ve wanted to share my experience as a student, as a work-at-home mom, and more. If you can see what I’ve done, you can avoid mistakes I’ve made or follow the strategies that have worked.

It’s important to do that with your own blog. If you’re going to write a review, make sure it’s a product you’ve used or a service you have. If you’re going to share tips on photography, share yourself following those tips and talk about what you’ve achieved. If you’re writing about budgeting, share how you’ve budgeted and use examples from your lived experiences.

You’re offering helpful advice that has worked. No, it’s not going to work for everyone, but you can show that it worked for you.

MORE: How often should you blog to rebuild your audience?

What are you struggling with when it comes to blogging? Share in the comments below.