Edit articles

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Overview

Editing is a crucial step when you use optional content publishing. This guide covers clarity, structure, flow, on-page quality for citable pages, and formatting best practices.

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The Editing Process

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Why Edit Generated Content?

Even AI-generated content benefits from human editing to:

• Ensure accuracy: Verify facts and information
• Match brand voice: Align content with your brand
• Improve clarity: Make content more readable and understandable
• Improve on-page quality: Fine-tune on-page fields
• Add expertise: Include your unique insights and perspective

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Editing for Clarity

Clear content is easier to read and understand, which improves user experience and readability.

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Simplify Language

• Use simple words: Replace complex words with simpler alternatives when possible
• Shorten sentences: Break long sentences into shorter, clearer ones
• Remove jargon: Explain technical terms or replace them with accessible language
• Be direct: Get to the point without unnecessary fluff

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Improve Readability

• Use active voice: Prefer active voice over passive voice
• Vary sentence length: Mix short and long sentences for rhythm
• Use transitions: Connect ideas with transition words and phrases
• Break up text: Use paragraphs, headings, and lists to break up dense text

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Check for Clarity

Ask yourself:

• Is this sentence clear and understandable?
• Does this paragraph have a clear point?
• Will readers understand this without prior knowledge?
• Is the flow logical and easy to follow?

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Editing for Structure

Well-structured content is easier to read and better for citable pages.

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Heading Structure

Ensure proper heading hierarchy:

• H1: Main title (one per article)
• H2: Major sections
• H3: Subsections within H2 sections
• H4+: Further subdivisions as needed

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Section Organization

Organize content logically:

1. Introduction: Hook readers and introduce the topic
2. Main content: Develop the topic in clear sections
3. Conclusion: Summarize key points and provide next steps

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Use Lists and Formatting

Break up text with:

• Bullet points: For lists of items or features
• Numbered lists: For step-by-step instructions
• Bold text: For emphasis on key points
• Italic text: For emphasis or foreign terms
• Code blocks: For code examples or technical terms

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Editing for Flow

Smooth flow keeps readers engaged and makes content easier to follow.

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Logical Progression

Ensure content flows logically:

• Start broad, get specific: Begin with general concepts, then dive into details
• Build on previous points: Each section should build on the previous one
• Use transitions: Connect ideas with transition words and phrases
• Maintain focus: Stay on topic and avoid tangents

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Paragraph Structure

Structure paragraphs effectively:

• One idea per paragraph: Each paragraph should focus on one main idea
• Topic sentences: Start paragraphs with clear topic sentences
• Supporting details: Follow topic sentences with supporting details
• Concluding thoughts: End paragraphs with a conclusion or transition

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Connection Between Sections

Connect sections smoothly:

• Use transition sentences: Bridge gaps between sections
• Reference previous sections: Refer back to earlier points when relevant
• Preview coming sections: Hint at what’s coming next when helpful

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Editing for On-page quality

on-page quality for AI citations ensures your content ranks well in search results.

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Keyword Placement

Place keywords strategically:

• Title: Include the primary keyword in the title
• H1: Use the keyword in the H1 heading
• First paragraph: Include the keyword early in the introduction
• Headings: Use variations of the keyword in H2 and H3 headings
• Body: Use the keyword naturally throughout the content
• Meta description: Include the keyword in the meta description

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Internal Linking

Add internal links strategically:

• Link to related content: Link to other articles on your site
• Use descriptive anchor text: Make anchor text descriptive and relevant
• Link naturally: Place links where they make sense contextually
• Don’t over-link: Too many links can hurt readability and readability

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Meta Elements

Optimize meta elements:

• Title tag: Keep under 60 characters, include primary keyword
• Meta description: Keep under 160 characters, include keyword and call-to-action
• Alt text: Add descriptive alt text to images
• URL slug: Use a clean, keyword-rich URL slug

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Formatting Best Practices

Good formatting improves readability and user experience.

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Use Headings Effectively

• Clear, descriptive headings: Make headings descriptive and informative
• Consistent style: Use consistent heading styles throughout
• Proper hierarchy: Maintain proper heading hierarchy (H1 → H2 → H3)

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Format Text

• Bold for emphasis: Use bold to emphasize key points
• Italic for emphasis: Use italic for subtle emphasis or foreign terms
• Code formatting: Use code formatting for technical terms, code, or file names
• Avoid over-formatting: Don’t overuse formatting—it can be distracting

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Use Lists

• Bullet points: For unordered lists (features, benefits, items)
• Numbered lists: For ordered lists (steps, instructions, sequences)
• Parallel structure: Keep list items parallel in structure and style
• Consistent formatting: Use consistent formatting for all list items

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Add Images

• Relevant images: Include images that support the content
• Descriptive alt text: Add alt text to all images for accessibility and readability
• Proper sizing: Ensure images are properly sized and optimized
• Captions: Add captions when helpful for context

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Common Editing Issues

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Content Is Too Generic

Problem: Content feels generic or lacks specific insights. Solution:

• Add specific examples and case studies
• Include your unique insights and expertise
• Reference real-world scenarios
• Add data and statistics when relevant

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Keyword over-optimization

Problem: Content is over-optimized for citable pages, hurting readability. Solution:

• Remove excessive keyword usage
• Focus on natural, readable content
• Use keyword variations instead of repeating the same keyword
• Prioritize user experience over keyword stuffing optimization

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Poor Structure

Problem: Content lacks clear structure or organization. Solution:

• Add or improve headings
• Reorganize content into logical sections
• Use lists to break up dense text
• Ensure proper heading hierarchy

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Inconsistent Tone

Problem: Tone varies throughout the article. Solution:

• Establish a consistent tone from the start
• Review the entire article for tone consistency
• Adjust sections that don’t match the intended tone
• Use a style guide if available

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Best Practices

• Edit systematically: Review clarity, structure, flow, and readability in that order
• Take breaks: Step away from content before final review
• Read aloud: Reading aloud helps identify awkward phrasing
• Get feedback: Have others review your content when possible
• Focus on users: Prioritize user experience over keyword stuffing optimization
• Be consistent: Maintain consistent style and tone throughout

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Next Steps

• Learn about publishing articles to get your content live
• Explore on-page quality for citable pages for advanced optimization
• Review site crawlability basics for site quality context