Know the purpose and the reader

Good articles solve a real problem for a specific person. Define what the reader wants and how they will measure success.

• Identify search intent: informational, transactional, navigational, or comparative.
• Write the job to be done as a sentence: After reading, the reader can ...
• Capture the reader's constraints: time, level, context, device.

Research and outline

Before writing, map the landscape and decide what to add that others do not.

• Scan the first page of results and top community threads. Note patterns and gaps.
• Interview a subject matter expert or test the steps yourself.
• Collect data, examples, and quotes you can cite.
• Draft an outline with H2/H3 subheads that mirror the reader's journey.

Structure for clarity

• Lead with the answer. Details come after.
• One idea per paragraph. Keep sentences concrete and active.
• Use descriptive subheads; readers should understand the flow by scanning H2s.
• Turn sequences into steps and dense lists into bullets.
• Show with examples, screenshots, or quick case notes.

SEO essentials that respect the reader

• Place the primary keyword in the title, H1, first 100 words, and at least one H2.
• Use natural variants and related entities instead of stuffing.
• Answer a key question in a short, direct paragraph to target featured snippets.
• Add internal links to relevant pages and external links to authoritative sources.
• Name images descriptively and add concise alt text.
• Mark up FAQs or how-to steps with schema when appropriate.
• Keep pages fast and mobile friendly; good UX supports rankings.

Voice, tone, and originality

• Prefer specifics over generalities. Replace adjectives with numbers or facts.
• Avoid filler and hedging. Say what you know and cite what you claim.
• Include a fresh angle: a framework, a checklist, a counterexample, or a failure you learned from.
• Write for scanners: front-load key nouns, bold sparingly, and break walls of text.

Edit ruthlessly

• Read aloud and cut 10 to 20 percent.
• Fix logic, chronology, and transitions before polishing sentences.
• Standardize terms, units, and capitalization.
• Check facts, quotes, names, and links.
• Add a clear next step or call to action.

Publish, measure, and update

• Use a short, human-readable URL slug.
• Write a compelling meta description that sets a realistic promise.
• Add an updated date when you substantially revise.
• Track impressions, CTR, time on page, and conversions tied to the article.
• Refresh with new data, examples, and internal links every few months.

Pre-publish checklist

• Clear intent and audience defined
• Outline matches search journey
• Direct answer near the top
• Keyword and variants placed naturally
• Internal and external links added
• Images compressed with alt text
• Facts verified and sources cited
• CTA present and measurable

FAQ