Skill: kostja94/article-content (version 1.1.0)

--- name: article-content description: When the user wants to write, generate, or create article body content—blog post body, long-form content, how-to guide, listicle. Also use when the user mentions "write article," "article content," "blog post content," "article body," "long-form content creation," "generate article," "article draft," "how-to guide content," "listicle content," "information gain," or "content density." For single post page structure, schema, and SEO metadata, use article-page-generator. For blog index/listing page, use blog-page-generator. For short ad, landing, or email copy, use copywriting. metadata: version: 1.1.0 --- # 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](url), 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 - **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


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