clutterScore / scamness / unauth.
Google deducts quality points in three ways.
01What it measures
Google deducts quality points in three ways. clutterScore measures layout overload: too many ads, pop-ups or distracting elements that disrupt the information flow. scamness measures fraud proximity: patterns that resemble disreputable sites. unauthoritativeScore measures missing credibility: no author details and no recognizable institution behind the page.
02Derived from
Automatic pattern recognition (by software, not by people) on the layout, text and structural features of the page.
03How it's measured
Three deduction fields. clutterScore = a measure of layout overload/distraction. scamness = scam/fraud proximity. unauthoritativeScore = lack of authoritativeness. Higher values mean 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. The principle is 'answer first': the relevant information stands at the top, not behind an ad banner. Visibly naming authors and expert sources strengthens the authoritativeness score.