Listicles, also called list posts, are articles presented as lists.
If you’ve searched for anything online, odds are you’ve bumped into a listicle or two.
Well-written listicles are entertaining and informative. They break down information into bite-sized increments and organize them into a format that is easy for readers to scan and digest.
Listicles are readable, easy to digest, and can boost engagement. Get insight into what listicles are and best practices for writing a listicle.
Unlike traditional articles or blog posts, which follow a traditional structure with body paragraphs, listicles use a list-based format.
The information is split into a list of items in short, numbered sections that are easy to consume.
While listicles work well for all types of content, some familiar ones include curated lists targeted toward a specific audience, such as:
Listicles make a great addition to your content marketing strategy because people love to read lists!
An article in The Guardian notes that human brains love ordered tasks, partly because lists help to reduce stress around chaos in day-to-day life.
Picture all of the information on the internet as a kind of “chaos” of potential information to consume. In this context, a handpicked list targeted toward a specific search intent really appeals to readers.
When a reader spots a listicle, it provides easy-to-consume information they can process and understand quickly.
Essentially a good, well-structured list provides order, organization, and a quick answer to their search.
A listicle has a definite beginning and end; at any given point, a reader knows what they are getting and where they stand in their reading.
If a listicle is titled “The 10 Best Coffee Shops in Location,” and a reader is on number 5, they know they are halfway through.
So, if the topic of the listicle aligns with a reader’s search intent, they are likely to see this list all the way through to number 10 (which can increase time on page).
And let’s not forget, within this predictable format, there’s also an element of surprise in looking ahead to see what comes next!
So, how do you know if your listicle will give readers what they want? We’ve got some ideas — and we’ll present them in a list.
When it comes to writing high-quality content as listicles — there’s more involved than simply picking a topic and adding numbers on the section headings.
Your listicle's top priority is expanding on a topic that resonates with your audience. Long-tail keywords work great for pinpointing a specific listicle title.
Examples:
In addition, make sure your topic works well in a listicle format. If you can’t number the items, features or components in the article, maybe the list form isn’t right for that article.
After zeroing in on a great topic, ensure the title stands out and confidently and authoritatively addresses a specific search.
Examples:
Once you’ve got a great topic and title, ensure your listicle can reach the largest target audience by addressing readability.
Use clear and simple vocabulary, clean and concise sentences and paragraphs, and keep your sections consistent and helpful.
Avoid fluffy copy that muddles your message. This is a list, and it should be clear, concise and consumable.
To check the readability of your content before publication, use the Originality.ai Readability Checker.
Lay out your list of items in an order that makes the most sense for your reader.
The order you use should gracefully and logically guide your reader through the article, whether alphabetically, chronologically, step-by-step, or by a rating system.
If your content is complex or has secondary lists or steps within the list, make sure the items are broken down into clearly organized, bite-sized sections with headings that serve as signposts for the reader.
Ultimately, no matter your topic, the list must be easy to scan visually.
Every item or step on your list is a heading. The heading should be very clear and helpful — not fluffy.
If a reader were to scan just through your headings, they should get a general idea of each item or step.
Examples:
If the article is “7 Laptop Features That Matter Most in the Long Run,” each numbered heading should tell the reader what to expect from that item/section.
Expand the headings of your numbered items just enough to give your readers the basic idea and inspire them to read further.
Don’t add more steps or items just to stretch out your content. Include the information that is most valuable to the reader.
The post doesn’t need to reach a certain number of words. It needs to give the reader the information they are looking for in an efficient, easy-to-read way.
Emphasize quality over quantity and make your listicle length “just right.”
As in all blog articles, relevant and valuable inline links add to the user experience by helping them navigate to other helpful information on your website.
It can also help the performance of your website. According to Ahrefs, internal links are key to taking a strategic approach to SEO. Plus, they can enhance the performance of your other pages.
External links can also help expand a reader’s knowledge or provide background information from authoritative primary sources.
Learn more about citations and citing sources.
The format of your blog article doesn’t change any of the other best practices you know about optimizing your blog writing, such as:
Then, incorporate the Originality.ai Content Optimizer to optimize your listicle for your primary keyword and stay a step ahead of the competition. This is also a great opportunity to check for AI content that may require further editing.
People love reading a good list, and listicles can be very engaging and informative for visitors.
If your content lends itself to list format, follow all the best practices you already know for optimizing your article, and remember the listicle-specific items that will make your post rise to the top.
Get more insight into creating exceptional content in our top guides:
