Update-date checklist for comparison articles that keep ranking

A comparison article that keeps ranking needs update dates tied to plan changes, product removals, feature tests, screenshots, and recommendation logic.

High-ranking comparison pages can become stale quietly. The page may still receive search traffic, but the product names, screenshots, prices, cancellation terms, or feature limits may have changed. A visible update date helps, but only if it reflects real review work. Changing the date without checking the decision criteria creates false freshness.

Start with the parts readers rely on most: top recommendation, price table, feature matrix, limitations, region availability, screenshots, and reasons to avoid each option. If any of those changed, the update note should say what changed. A vague “updated for 2026” is less useful than “rechecked pricing and removed discontinued free tier.”

The checklist should also include source links. Official pricing pages, changelogs, support docs, product status pages, and direct test notes should be close to the claim they support. Community comments can add texture, but they should not replace current product evidence.

Finally, keep an exception log. If a product was not retested because access was unavailable, say so. If a feature is region-specific, mark the region. A comparison page earns trust when readers can see what was checked, what was not checked, and why the recommendation still follows from the evidence.

Update-date checklist for comparison articles that keep ranking

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