content-optimization

$27

Identify:

• Content type: Article, guide, listicle, pillar, news

• Target keyword: Primary and secondary

• Competitors: Top 10 average length and structure — see competitor-research

Word Count

Google does not rank by word count. Length should match search intent and topic depth. A 1,000-word post that satisfies intent can outrank a 3,000-word thin piece.

Reference Ranges by Content Type

For article word count by type (news, how-to, listicle, pillar, etc.), see article-content. Generic ranges:

Content type

Word count

Notes

News / announcements

300–600

Time-sensitive; concise

Standard articles / how-tos

1,000–1,500

Single topic; actionable

Listicles / guides

1,200–2,000

"Top 10," "Best X"

Pillar / cornerstone

2,000–3,500+

Comprehensive; cluster hub

Strategy

• Analyze top 10 for target keyword — average length and depth

• Match intent — informational often needs ~40% longer than transactional

• Value over padding — each section must add genuine value; avoid fluff

• Comprehensive coverage — answer the query and related questions

H2 Heading Keywords

Placement

• Primary keyword: Include naturally in at least one H2 when relevant

• Related keywords: Use LSI and long-tail in other H2s for topical coverage

• Avoid stuffing: Headings must stay clear and readable; organic placement only

Quantity

• No strict limit — one H2 per major section; structure follows content

• Typical article: 4–8 H2s; pillar: 8–15+ H2s

• Hierarchy: H1 → H2 (major sections) → H3 (subsections); don't skip levels

Best Practices

Practice

Purpose

Descriptive H2s

Search engines understand context; users scan

Answer-first

Place direct answer in first 40–50 words after H2 for Featured Snippets; see featured-snippet

Keyword variation

Use related terms; avoid repeating exact phrase in every H2

Logical flow

H2s outline the article; support topical authority

Keyword Density vs Keyword Stuffing

Definitions

Term

Meaning

Keyword density

(Keyword count / Total words) × 100; a metric, not a ranking factor

Keyword stuffing

Excessive, unnatural repetition to manipulate rankings; black-hat

Current Guidance

• Keyword density is not a direct ranking factor — Google has stated since 2011 that repetition alone doesn't improve rankings

• Reference range: 0.5%–1.5% for most content; some sources cite up to 2.5%

• Use density mainly to avoid stuffing — if density exceeds ~2–3% and reads unnaturally, reduce

• Prioritize natural placement: title, H1, first 100 words, 1–2 H2s, body; avoid forced repetition

How to Avoid Stuffing

• Write for users first; keywords should fit naturally

• Use synonyms, related terms, and question phrasing

• If a sentence sounds awkward with the keyword, rewrite

• Monitor: if every paragraph repeats the exact phrase, simplify

Multimedia: Images, Tables, Lists

Images

Practice

Purpose

Alt, file names, captions

See image-optimization for full image SEO (alt, format, responsive, lazy loading, image sitemap, LCP, captions for Featured Snippets)

Original over stock

Unique images signal E-E-A-T — see eeat-signals

Content placement: Put images near relevant text; captions support snippet thumbnails. See image-optimization for captions; featured-snippet for snippet context.

Video

Practice

Purpose

Embed + metadata

VideoObject schema, video sitemap, thumbnail; see video-optimization

YouTube

Google prioritizes YouTube in search; GEO citation; see youtube-seo, generative-engine-optimization

Featured Snippet (video)

Video schema; timestamps/chapters; see featured-snippet

Tables

• Use for: Comparisons, stats, specs, "X vs Y"

• Semantic HTML: <table>, <thead>, <tbody>, clear column headers

• Featured Snippets: ~6% of snippets are tables; optimize headers with target keywords. See featured-snippet

• Mobile: Responsive; avoid horizontal scroll when possible

• Data quality: No empty cells; consistent units; accurate, current data

Lists: Ordered vs Unordered

Type

Use case

SEO / Snippet

**Ordered (<ol>)**

Steps, rankings, sequences, "Top 10"

List snippets (~19% of Featured Snippets); how-to; see featured-snippet

**Unordered (<ul>)**

Non-sequential items, features, options

Bullet snippets; definitions, options

Best practices:

• Use semantic <ol> and <ul>; avoid divs styled as lists

• Answer-first: For snippet targets, put the direct answer in the first 40–50 words after the heading

• Concise items: List items should be scannable; expand in body if needed

• Logical order: Ordered lists = sequence matters; unordered = no sequence

GEO / AI Citation

Answer-first (direct answer in first 40–60 words after H2) supports both Featured Snippets and GEO. For article-level GEO (TL;DR, Key Takeaways, QAE pattern), see article-content and generative-engine-optimization. For Featured Snippet formats and optimization, see featured-snippet.

Content Audit Checklist

For article content audit (hook, QAE, product connection, CTA, references, gaps), see article-content. This skill covers generic content optimization (H2 keywords, multimedia, keyword density).

Output Format

• Word count recommendation by content type

• H2 outline with keyword placement

• Keyword density check (avoid stuffing)

• Structure (tables, lists) for Featured Snippet opportunity; see featured-snippet

• Multimedia checklist (images per image-optimization; tables, lists)

Related Skills

• heading-structure: H1–H6 hierarchy; H2 keyword placement

• content-strategy: Topic clusters, pillar + cluster

• keyword-research: Target keywords inform placement

• featured-snippet: Snippet formats, structure; answer-first

• howto-section-generator: How-to step sections; <ol> lists; HowTo vs FAQ

• eeat-signals: E-E-A-T; original images, trust

• image-optimization: Alt, captions, format, LCP, responsive, image sitemap

• video-optimization: Video SEO; VideoObject; video sitemap

• competitor-research: Competitor length and structure as reference

• article-content: Article word count by type; Content Audit Checklist; article body creation