Tip 21 of 31: Show Who Wrote the Content
If someone reads an article on your website, one of the first questions they may have is: Who wrote this?
An accurate author byline helps answer that question. It gives readers useful context about who created the content and, where relevant, the experience behind it.
Why Author Bylines Matter
Google recommends making it clear who created content where readers would reasonably expect that information. An author byline helps readers understand who wrote the article and, when linked to a useful author page, provides additional background about that person's experience and areas of expertise.
A byline is primarily for your readers. It does not guarantee better rankings, but it supports transparency and helps visitors evaluate the information they are reading.
Avoid Generic Bylines
Many websites still publish articles under names such as Admin, Marketing Team or simply the company name.
While there are situations where a corporate byline is appropriate, specialist articles are often more useful to readers when the individual author is identified. It gives readers a clearer understanding of who created the content and where the knowledge comes from.
What We Do
Every article on RecruiterWEB identifies its author. Each byline links to an author page explaining the person's role, experience and other articles they have written, making it easier for readers to understand the expertise behind the advice.
Up Next
Tip 22 of 31 explains how to build author pages that provide genuinely useful background information instead of just a name and photograph.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should every article have an author byline?
Where readers would reasonably expect to know who created the content, an accurate author byline is recommended. This is particularly valuable for articles, guides, research and opinion pieces.
Can I use "Admin" as the author?
A generic byline such as "Admin" provides little context for readers. Identifying the individual author where appropriate is more transparent and helps readers understand who produced the content.
Does Google require named authors?
Google does not require named authors on every page. However, it recommends providing accurate authorship information where readers would naturally expect it.
What if several people contributed to the article?
Where appropriate, identify the primary author and acknowledge additional contributors or reviewers if they played a significant role in producing or reviewing the content.
Should the byline link to an author page?
Yes. Linking the byline to a useful author page gives readers more information about the person's background, experience and other articles they have written.
Darren Revell, Co-Founder, RecruiterWEB
Co-Founder, RecruiterWEB
Darren Revell began working in recruitment technology in 2004 when he founded Recruitwise Technology. He later became a founder of RecruiterWEB, which acquired the Recruitwise Technology brand, platform and customer base in 2016. Darren remains Co-Founder and Co-Owner of RecruiterWEB.
Darren came to Rectech after eleven years working in recruitment. He started as a trainee recruiter in 1993 and progressed through the ranks to recruiter, billing manager, billing director, and eventually recruitment company owner. During that career, he delivered permanent hires, contract hires, client campaign advertising, team moves, retained search, master vendor services, and RPO.
In 2004, he switched focus to recruitment technology and began building websites and job boards specifically for recruitment agencies. RecruiterWEB has since built websites for 667+ agencies and executive search firms in the UK and internationally. The platform runs on custom code built explicitly for recruitment, with built-in job board functionality, ATS and job poster integration, Google for Jobs structured data, and GDPR-compliant candidate registration included as standard on every plan.
Darren writes on recruitment website design, SEO and AI visibility for recruitment agencies, candidate data protection, and the commercial impact of digital investment on recruitment businesses.
Specialist Areas
- Recruitment website design and technology
- SEO and AI visibility for recruitment agencies
- ATS and job poster integration (Bullhorn, Vincere, idibu, and others)
- GDPR and candidate data protection
- Branding for recruitment agencies and executive search firms
Connect
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/
Phone: 01223 655278
Darren has also appeared as a guest on the RecTalk podcast, covering his background in recruitment and the founding of RecruiterWEB.
