Scannable content refers to web content that is structured and formatted in a way that allows readers to quickly and easily find the information they need without having to read through the entire piece. this type of formatting designed to accommodate the way people tend to scan and skim through online content.
Characteristics of scannable content:
- Clear and descriptive headings: Using informative and relevant headings (H1, H2, etc.) helps readers understand the main topics and navigate the content easily.
- Short paragraphs: Breaking down the content into short, focused paragraphs makes it easier for readers to digest the information and maintain interest.
- Bulleted or numbered lists: Using lists to present information in a concise and organized manner makes it easier for readers to scan and absorb key points.
- Bold or italicized text: Strategically using formatting to highlight important words, phrases, or key takeaways draws the reader's attention to essential information.
- Whitespace: Incorporating ample whitespace between paragraphs, headings, and other elements improves readability and reduces visual clutter.
- Visuals: Including relevant images, charts, or videos can break up the text, reinforce key points, and make the content more engaging and memorable.
- Inverted pyramid style: Structuring the content with the most important information at the top (like in news articles) ensures that readers can quickly grasp the main points even if they don't read the entire piece.
By implementing these characteristics, content creators can make their web content more scannable, engaging, and user-friendly, improving the overall user experience and increasing the likelihood that readers will find the information they need.
Creating Scannable Content in WordPress
The SEO plugin All in One SEO (AIOSEO) checks your content formatting. Then, the plugin makes recommendations to improve these features.
For instance, AIOSEO will check for use of:
- Short paragraphs and sentences
- Use of subheadings to break up long text passages
- Presence of video or images
Learn more in How to Create Scannable Content: A WordPress Action Guide