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

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

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?

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

• 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

• content-optimization: H2 keywords; Multimedia (tables, lists); keyword density

• generative-engine-optimization: GEO strategy; AI citation