Tip 27 of 31: Show When Content Was Published and Updated

A date on a page tells readers whether the information is current. For content that changes over time, the date is a useful trust signal and gives search engines and AI-assisted systems clearer context about when the information was published or revised.

Why Dates Matter

Information about employment law, software pricing, industry statistics or market conditions can quickly become outdated. A reader who arrives at a useful-looking article with no date has no easy way to judge whether the advice is still valid. Accurate publication and update dates also give search engines and AI-assisted systems clearer context about when the information was produced or last revised.

Two Dates to Consider

Publication date: when the page was first published. Always worth displaying on articles, guides and other dated editorial content.

Updated date: when the content was meaningfully revised. Display this only when real changes have been made. Changing the updated date without improving the content is misleading and can create inconsistent signals for readers and search engines. Update the date when you correct outdated figures, remove or replace broken links, or materially improve the content.

A last reviewed date can also be useful when a page has been checked and remains accurate but has not been meaningfully rewritten.

Keeping Content Current Protects Your Investment

One of our clients generates £45,000 in placement fees from their website in a single month. The pages that drive that business are accurate, current and visibly dated. A page that was useful twelve months ago but now contains outdated pricing or superseded information is actively harmful: it creates confusion and damages the credibility of everything else on the site.

What to Do

Display a publication date on every article, guide and educational page. Create a schedule for reviewing your most important pages at least annually. When you make meaningful updates, update the displayed date. Be transparent about what has changed if the update is significant. Where a page has been checked but not materially changed, consider showing a separate last reviewed date instead.

Up Next

Tip 28 of 31 covers what to do when AI has been used to help create your content and why the output needs more than a quick proofread before publication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I display dates on all pages or just blog posts?

Dates are most important on content where currency matters directly: articles, guides, research pages and pricing pages. Service pages and evergreen feature pages are less critical, but if the information is reviewed or changes regularly, a last reviewed note adds useful context.

What is the risk of updating publication dates without updating content?

Changing a page’s date without making a meaningful improvement can mislead readers and create inconsistent date signals for search engines. Only change the updated date when genuine improvements have been made.

How should I note what was updated when I revise a page?

A brief note near the updated date, such as “Updated July 2026: pricing figures revised to reflect current rates,” is transparent and useful. It helps readers understand the scope of the change without having to compare versions.

Do AI tools pay attention to content dates?

Content dates can help readers and automated systems assess whether information may still be current, particularly for subjects that change frequently. A visible date does not guarantee that an AI system will select or cite a page, but accurate publication and update information provides useful context about when the content was produced or revised.

What about pages where the information genuinely does not change?

For genuinely evergreen content, keep the original publication date. If the page has been checked and remains accurate, a separate last reviewed date can reassure readers without suggesting that the content has been rewritten. Use an updated date only when meaningful changes have actually been made.

Darren Revell, Co-Founder, RecruiterWEB