Content: Article Content

Guides creation of article body content—the actual text (intro, body, conclusion) for blog posts, guides, and long-form pieces. Focus on what to write. For where it goes (page structure, schema, metadata), see article-page-generator. For short conversion copy (ads, landing pages, CTAs), see copywriting.

When invoking: On first use, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On subsequent use or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output.

Scope

• Article body: Introduction, body sections, conclusion, CTA
• Content structure: Hook, QAE pattern, paragraph length, scannability
• Word count: By article type and search intent
• Writing frameworks: AIDA, PAS, BAB applied to articles
• GEO elements: TL;DR, Key Takeaways, answer-first

Article Types & Word Count (2025)

Quality over length: Google prioritizes comprehensive coverage of search intent, not word count. Match length to topic depth and intent.

Type	Word count	Use case
News / announcements	300–600	Product updates, breaking news, FAQs
Short-form	500–800	Landing pages, product pages (scannable)
Standard articles / how-tos	1,000–1,500	Single topic; actionable; listicles
Listicles	1,200–2,000	"Top 10," "Best X"; numbered lists boost CTR ~70%
Cluster articles	800–2,500	Subtopic; links to pillar
Pillar / cornerstone	2,000–3,500+	Comprehensive; cluster hub; 6–12 sections
Competitive keywords	1,800–2,500	Page-one SEO posts avg ~2,400 words

Intent-based (Google 2025): Validate 1,200–2,000; Explore 2,000–3,500; Compare 600–1,200; Do 900–1,500; Know 300–800. Informational ~40% longer than transactional.

Avoid: Under 300 words (thin); over 7,000 (often underperforms due to reduced focus).

Content Creation Workflow

Four Inputs

Article content rests on four inputs. See article-page-generator for full workflow.

Input	Purpose
Product	Connection, features, CTA placement
Keywords	Target keyword, primary/secondary
Article intent	Informational, commercial, transactional
Competitor articles	Structure to adopt, content gaps, length target

Information Gain (Content Density Over Word Count)

Information gain = net new information a page provides beyond what exists in top-ranking results. Google evaluates unique value, not comprehensiveness. Content density (unique entities, data points, insights per 100 words) matters more than word count. Skyscraper Technique (longer = better) no longer differentiates; AI made comprehensiveness cheap.

Four sources of information gain:

• Counter-narratives: Why "best practice" fails in certain contexts; evidence-backed
• Temporal freshness: Data or developments after competitors' content and LLM cutoff
• SME perspectives: Direct quotes, practitioner experience; not repackaged advice
• Proprietary data: Original surveys, internal benchmarks, user behavior patterns

Avoid consensus content: Restating common facts across top 10 results = zero information gain. Audit SERP before writing; list the "consensus layer"; identify gaps (unanswered questions, outdated data, underserved segments). Lead with what is new; structure answer-first.

Density check: Count unique data points, original insights, specific claims. If ratio of new information to word count is low, cut filler. High-density content (800-1,500 words with 3+ original points) often outperforms long rehashed guides.

TL;DR or Key Takeaways (GEO)

Choose one; place after intro. Content with these elements is cited ~35% more by AI.

Format	Spec
TL;DR	50–100 word bold summary paragraph
Key Takeaways	5–7 bullet points

See generative-engine-optimization for full GEO strategy.

Introduction

Length: 40–120 words; 2–3 paragraphs. Readers decide in ~8 seconds; hook must work instantly.

Element	Guideline
Hook	First 1–2 sentences: pain point, stat, or question; curiosity gap; specific data or contrarian fact
Primary keyword	In first 100 words
Expectations	Set what reader will learn

Hook types: "You're doing X wrong"; "97% of Y…"; bold question; challenge assumption. Well-crafted hooks boost CTR 30–50%.

Body

Element	Guideline
QAE pattern	Question (H2) → Answer (2 sentences) → Evidence (data, examples, lists)
Answer-first	Direct answer in first 40–60 words after each H2
Answer blocks	100–200 words per section; direct answer + context + evidence
Paragraph length	40–80 words; 2–4 sentences; avoid walls of text
Break long blocks	Lists, H3s, images, callout boxes every 2–3 paragraphs
Scannability	Front-load key info (F-pattern); bold key phrases; one idea per paragraph

Long-form (1,000+ words): Place engagement hooks every 500–600 words; mix 40–50% explanatory text, 20–25% examples, 10–15% data, 5–10% visuals.

Conclusion

Summary + CTA: newsletter signup, related content, product (link to product/feature when relevant). Product-linked content ties to product naturally.

Product Connection

Articles should tie to the product (problem it solves, features, use cases). Avoid purely generic content. Link to product/feature pages naturally in conclusion or when context fits.

Writing Frameworks

Apply copywriting frameworks to article structure. See copywriting for full PAS, AIDA, BAB.

Framework	Article use
AIDA	Intro (Attention); body (Interest, Desire); conclusion (Action/CTA)
PAS	How-to guides: Problem in intro; Agitation in body; Solution throughout
BAB	Case studies, transformation: Before → After → Bridge

Choose by audience: AIDA for ready-to-buy; PAS for pain-driven; BAB for transformation seekers.

Article Headlines

See copywriting for headline formulas (How to, Number, Problem→Solution). For article titles specifically:

• Length: 50–60 chars; see title-tag
• Primary keyword near start
• Numbers and power words boost CTR ~36%

References & Citations

Scenario	Practice
Data or statistics	Cite inline (e.g. "According to Source, 72% of…") or in References section
Expert quotes	Attribute; link to source
Reference section	For 5+ citations; list at end before Related posts
Format	Inline links preferred; numbered refs [1], [2] for academic-style

See eeat-signals for E-E-A-T, author bio, citations, YMYL.

Content Quality

Element	Guideline
Readability	Grade 8–10 (Flesch-Kincaid); short sentences, clear language
Depth	Match type; comprehensive coverage over padding
Originality	Unique angle, data, examples; avoid thin or rehashed content
Information gain	What does this add that top 10 results don't? Counter-narrative, fresh data, SME quote, or proprietary insight
E-E-A-T	Author bio, citations, expert quotes — see eeat-signals

Content Audit Checklist

When auditing or optimizing article content:

Dimension	Check
Hook	Intro opens with pain point, stat, or question?
Keyword in first 100 words	Primary keyword present?
QAE pattern	H2s as questions? Answer-first (40–60 words) in each section?
Word count	Matches type? (300–600 news, 1,000–2,500 cluster, 2,500+ pillar)
Paragraph length	40–80 words per paragraph? No walls of text?
Product connection	Ties to product? Natural links to features/pricing?
CTA	Placement (conclusion, mid-article); clarity; product link
References	Data/stats cited? Reference section for 5+ citations?
Gaps	What do top-ranking articles cover that this misses?
Information gain	At least one of: counter-narrative, fresh data, SME perspective, proprietary data? Or consensus rehash?

See competitor-research for competitor analysis; article-page-generator for page structure and metadata.

AI-Assisted Content

When content is AI-assisted: human review before publish; verify facts and add citations; original insights or data; avoid generic phrasing. See eeat-signals for E-E-A-T and AI content guidance.

Output Format

• Outline (H2s with keyword placement)
• TL;DR or Key Takeaways (if SEO-driven)
• Introduction (hook + keyword)
• Body sections (QAE, answer-first)
• Conclusion (summary + CTA)
• CTA copy options

Related Skills

• article-page-generator: Page structure, schema, metadata, layout; content goes here
• howto-section-generator: Dedicated HowTo step blocks (ordered steps, HowTo JSON-LD; vs FAQ)
• copywriting: Frameworks (PAS, AIDA, BAB); headline formulas; short conversion copy
• content-marketing: Article Orientations; content types
• eeat-signals: E-E-A-T; author bio; citations; citations format
• keyword-research: Keyword basis; search intent
• competitor-research: Content gaps; structure to adopt; SERP audit for information gain
• content-optimization: H2 keywords; Multimedia (tables, lists); keyword density
• generative-engine-optimization: GEO strategy; AI citation