EEAT Mechanics

clutterScore / scamness / unauth.

BLeak, verbatim

Three quality deductions in one: clutterScore measures layout overload (too many ads, pop-ups, distracting elements that disrupt the information flow); scamness measures fraud proximity (patterns that resemble disreputable sites); unauthoritativeScore measures missing credibility (no author details, no recognizable institution behind the page).

By Thomas Wawra·Last reviewed
Role
Penalty & Spam
Axis
Penalty ledger
Scope
Doc
Calibrated against
mixed
Experience· noneExpertise· noneAuthority· indirectTrust· primary

01What it measures

Three quality deductions in one: clutterScore measures layout overload (too many ads, pop-ups, distracting elements that disrupt the information flow); scamness measures fraud proximity (patterns that resemble disreputable sites); unauthoritativeScore measures missing credibility (no author details, no recognizable institution behind the page).

02Derived from

Machine pattern recognition from layout, text and structural features of the page.

03How it's measured

clutterScore = a measure of layout overload/distraction; scamness = scam/fraud proximity; unauthoritativeScore = lack of authoritativeness. Higher values = a stronger trust deduction. [B fields, C scale]

04Why it counts here

Trust is primary — all three signals are direct trust violations. Authority is indirect because unauthoritativeScore has a connection to authority.

05What to do about it

Advertising and promotional elements should not interrupt the information flow — especially on pages where users need fast clarity. 'Answer first' as a principle: the relevant information appears at the top, not behind an ad banner. Visibly naming authors and expert sources strengthens the authoritativeness score.

Deep dive →
clutterScore, scamness, unauthoritativeScore: Three Quality Demotions
16 claims· Authority Trust
Answer modules will appear here (coming soon)