What I notice is Google is giving priority to authority websites, which is horribly bad and here's why: Sponsored posts or parasite pages in authority websites are ranking well and they have little to no useful information as compared to an actual review website. When I say actual review website I meant those with lengthy posts that describes the product, not those 100-200 words summarised reviews that's likely plagiarised or spun.
The other thing I notice is Google is giving websites that call a product 'scam' higher importance too. I just saw an author claiming a product to be a scam and don't recommend it, but at the same time, recommending a more expensive product. No actual images of him/her trying it out or the actual reason why the product was a scam. Yet, that particular page is ranking well.
All in all, I feel it isn't exactly a good update at all. Firstly, if Google gives more importance to authority websites (in this case, I'm not referring to parasite pages or sponsored posts, but genuine authority sites like CNET, Women's Health Magazine, and so on), authors of those articles hosted there can be easily paid to write such reviews and get compensated, or leave affiliate links. How is that any different from non-authority websites doing the same? They kept emphasising that the author needs to have some expertise in the field, but think about it for one moment - say you know nuts about computers and wants to buy a laptop. Would you read a review from an expert who throws in all the complicated terminology and terms that leaves you confused and making you having to google to understand them? Or would you rather read a review from someone like you who knows nuts about computers but shares his/her experience of using it? I would confidently say the latter gives a user a better experience.
But, but, but... To be fair too, no one likes an non-expert who knows nothing but just monetization writing crap that don't make sense too.
If Google truly wants this update to be 'good' they may have to start clamping down on sponsored posts. And should be fair to non-experts writing their reviews too - good detailed reviews, that is.
So for your case, in my humble opinion (especially since I'm a newbie), it really depends on you. If you want to enter or continue to be in this field, AND if Google is biased to just authority websites, you may have to invest a LOT of time and money. No longer a new website can rank well. Only authority websites. So if you want to do a review website, you literally have to spend the time and money to build up the brand like a company, get expert writers and build up their bio by contributing to many external websites, get featured online and in news platforms (for other words, online presence), spend actual money on the products and do a DETAILED review of trying em' out, and so on.
I want to write more but I'll wait till the update finishes rolling out first.
