E-E-A-T Benchmark Statistics: How Your Website Compares to Industry Averages

Understanding how your website's E-E-A-T scores compare to industry standards is crucial for setting realistic improvement goals and identifying competitive advantages. We've analyzed thousands of websites to bring you comprehensive benchmark data that reveals where most sites excel and where they struggle.

Why Benchmark Data Matters

E-E-A-T scores are most valuable when you have context. A score of 65 might seem decent, but if your competitors average 80, you're at a significant disadvantage. Conversely, if the industry average is 45 and you score 65, you're in a strong position.

Benchmark data helps you:

• Set realistic targets: Understand what's achievable based on industry standards
• Identify opportunities: See which E-E-A-T pillars are commonly weak across websites
• Prioritize improvements: Focus on areas where gains can have the biggest competitive impact
• Track progress: Measure your improvement against industry baselines

Overall E-E-A-T Score Benchmarks

Based on our analysis of thousands of websites, here's what the data reveals:

Average Overall E-E-A-T Score: 30.9/100

This overall score represents a composite of all four E-E-A-T pillars. While this might seem low, it's important to remember that:

• Most websites have room for significant E-E-A-T improvement
• Scores vary widely by industry and content type
• Even small improvements can provide competitive advantages
• The top-performing sites score significantly higher, indicating what's possible

E-E-A-T Pillar Breakdown

Let's examine how each pillar performs individually:

Experience: 31.1/100

Average Score: 31.1/100

Experience scores measure how well content demonstrates first-hand, lived knowledge of the topic. The relatively moderate score (31.1) suggests that while many websites include some personal experience indicators, there's substantial room for improvement.

What this means:

• Many sites rely on generic information rather than personal experience
• Original photos, videos, and personal anecdotes are underutilized
• Opportunities exist to differentiate through authentic, first-hand content

Expertise: 11.7/100

Average Score: 11.7/100

Expertise scores are the lowest across all four pillars, indicating a significant industry-wide gap. This pillar measures the depth of knowledge, credentials, and skill demonstrated in content.

What this means:

• Most websites struggle to demonstrate clear expertise
• Author credentials and qualifications are often missing or insufficient
• Supporting data, research, and citations are underutilized
• This represents the biggest opportunity for improvement across the industry

Why Expertise Scores So Low:

• Lack of author bios with credentials
• Missing or inadequate qualifications display
• Insufficient depth in content coverage
• Limited use of supporting research and citations

Authoritativeness: 34.1/100

Average Score: 34.1/100

Authoritativeness measures recognition as a go-to source in your field, including backlinks, media mentions, and industry recognition.

What this means:

• Most sites are still building their authority rather than being established leaders
• Quality backlinks and external recognition are limited
• Opportunities exist to build authority through content marketing and relationship building

Trustworthiness: 46.8/100

Average Score: 46.8/100

Trustworthiness is the highest-scoring pillar, which makes sense as it includes technical elements that are relatively straightforward to implement (HTTPS, privacy policies, contact information).

What this means:

• Most websites have implemented basic trust signals
• Technical trust elements are more common than content quality signals
• There's still room for improvement, but this pillar is typically the strongest foundation

Key Insights from Benchmark Data

Strongest Pillar: Trustworthiness

With an average score of 46.8, trustworthiness is typically the highest-scoring E-E-A-T pillar. This makes sense because trustworthiness includes technical elements that are relatively easy to implement:

• HTTPS certificates
• Privacy policies and terms of service
• Contact information
• Professional website design

Takeaway: If your trustworthiness score is below 46.8, you have clear, actionable steps to improve. These are often quick wins that can boost your overall E-E-A-T score.

Biggest Improvement Opportunity: Expertise

With an average score of just 11.7, expertise represents the biggest opportunity for improvement across websites. This is where most sites struggle, which means:

• Improving expertise scores can provide significant competitive advantages
• The bar is relatively low, making meaningful improvements more achievable
• Expertise improvements often correlate with better search rankings

Why Expertise Matters:

• Google's algorithms heavily weigh expertise signals, especially for YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) content
• Expertise scores reflect depth of knowledge, credentials, and supporting evidence
• Strong expertise signals differentiate authoritative content from generic information

Moderate Opportunities: Experience and Authoritativeness

Both Experience (31.1) and Authoritativeness (34.1) scores fall in the moderate range, indicating:

• Room for improvement exists, but not as dramatic as expertise
• These pillars require more strategic, long-term efforts
• Consistent improvements can yield competitive advantages

What These Benchmarks Mean for Your Site

If Your Scores Are Below Average

Don't be discouraged. These benchmarks show that most websites have significant room for improvement. Focus on:

1. Quick wins: Start with trustworthiness improvements (HTTPS, policies, contact info)
2. Expertise foundation: Add author credentials and bios to immediately improve expertise scores
3. Experience indicators: Begin incorporating personal anecdotes and original visuals
4. Authority building: Start building backlinks and seeking industry recognition

If Your Scores Match or Exceed Averages

Congratulations, but don't stop there. The top-performing sites score significantly higher, indicating what's possible:

• Continue improving all pillars systematically
• Focus on your weakest pillar for maximum impact
• Benchmark against your specific competitors, not just industry averages
• Maintain your strengths while addressing weaknesses

Setting Realistic Goals

Based on benchmark data, here are realistic improvement targets:

Short-term (1-3 months):

• Overall score: Aim for 40-50 (above average)
• Expertise: Focus on reaching 20-30 (double the average)
• Trustworthiness: Target 60+ (well above average)

Medium-term (3-6 months):

• Overall score: Aim for 50-65 (strong performance)
• All pillars: Target scores of 30-40+ each
• Expertise: Build toward 35-45

Long-term (6+ months):

• Overall score: Aim for 65-80 (top tier)
• Balanced performance across all pillars
• Expertise: Target 50+ (exceptional)

Industry-Specific Considerations

While these benchmarks represent overall averages, specific industries may have different standards:

YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) Content:

• Health, medical, financial, and legal content typically need higher scores
• Trustworthiness and expertise are especially critical
• Average scores may be lower, but competitive thresholds are higher

General Content:

• Blog posts, product pages, and informational content may have different benchmarks
• Experience and authoritativeness may be more variable
• Trustworthiness remains critical across all content types

How to Use the Benchmark Page

Our E-E-A-T Benchmarks page provides:

• Real-time averages: Updated regularly as we analyze more websites
• Visual comparisons: Charts and graphs showing score distributions
• Pillar breakdowns: Detailed statistics for each E-E-A-T component
• Actionable insights: Key takeaways to guide your improvement strategy

To get the most value:

1. Check your current scores: Analyze your website to get your baseline
2. Compare to benchmarks: See how you stack up against industry averages
3. Identify gaps: Focus on pillars where you're below average
4. Set targets: Use benchmark data to set realistic improvement goals
5. Track progress: Re-analyze periodically to measure improvement

Strategies for Improving Below-Average Scores

Improving Experience (Current Average: 31.1)

Quick improvements:

• Add original photos and screenshots
• Include personal anecdotes and real-world examples
• Share specific details from your actual experiences

Long-term improvements:

• Create case studies from real implementations
• Document processes you've completed
• Build a library of original visual content

Improving Expertise (Current Average: 11.7)

Quick improvements:

• Add author bios with credentials and qualifications
• Display relevant certifications and achievements
• Include citations and supporting research

Long-term improvements:

• Develop comprehensive, in-depth content
• Build thought leadership through original research
• Earn relevant credentials and qualifications
• Create content that demonstrates deep knowledge

Improving Authoritativeness (Current Average: 34.1)

Quick improvements:

• Optimize author and company bios
• Participate in expert roundups and interviews
• Build initial backlinks through content marketing

Long-term improvements:

• Earn backlinks from authoritative sources
• Build industry recognition and awards
• Secure media mentions and press coverage
• Establish thought leadership position

Improving Trustworthiness (Current Average: 46.8)

Quick improvements:

• Ensure HTTPS is properly configured
• Add comprehensive privacy policy and terms of service
• Display contact information prominently

Long-term improvements:

• Improve website design and user experience
• Add proper disclaimers and disclosures
• Implement comprehensive security measures
• Build transparent, trustworthy brand reputation

The Competitive Advantage of Benchmarking

Understanding where you stand relative to industry averages is just the beginning. The real value comes from:

• Strategic planning: Using benchmark data to prioritize improvements
• Competitive analysis: Comparing your scores to specific competitors
• Progress tracking: Measuring improvement over time
• Goal setting: Establishing realistic, data-driven targets

Conclusion

These benchmark statistics reveal that most websites have significant room for E-E-A-T improvement. The average overall score of 30.9 suggests that even modest improvements can provide competitive advantages, while the low expertise average (11.7) represents a major opportunity for differentiation.

The key takeaway: Don't aim for average, aim for excellence. While these benchmarks show where most sites currently stand, the top-performing websites score significantly higher, demonstrating what's achievable with consistent effort and strategic improvements.

Ready to see how your website compares? Check your E-E-A-T scores and then visit our benchmarks page to see where you stand relative to industry averages. Use this data to identify your biggest opportunities and create a strategic improvement plan that positions you ahead of the competition.

Remember: E-E-A-T improvement is a journey, not a destination. Use benchmark data to guide your efforts, but focus on consistent, genuine improvements that demonstrate real value and credibility to both users and search engines.