🎯 Strategy & Audience
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Purpose, reader, action (Content focus)
Why: Clear intent makes the Content structure and CTA simple. This Checklist keeps the Content goal visible.
How to check: Write one line: “For [reader], this Content drives [action].” Keep it at the top.
How to implement: Pin the statement in your doc while you edit the Content Checklist items.
Tools: Notion/Google Docs brief; team sign-off in comments.
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One core promise (Content scope)
Why: Too many ideas make the Content weak. The Checklist protects clarity.
How to check: Summarize in ≤20 words; if not possible, the Content scope is too wide.
How to implement: Move extra angles to a new Content Checklist for future posts.
Pass: You can pitch the Content in one sentence.
🔎 Search Intent & Competitive Gap
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Match winning format for Content
Why: SERP intent mismatch kills Content clicks; this Checklist keeps intent aligned.
How to check: Incognito search the main keyword; list top 5 page types (guide, list, tool, case).
How to implement: Mirror the format and add your edge (data, template) in the Content.
Tools: Google SERP; Plerdy SEO Analyzer for quick on-page Content checks.
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Answer real questions in Content
Why: Complete Content improves dwell time and People Also Ask coverage. The Checklist ensures coverage.
How to check: Collect PAA, Reddit/Quora threads, and GSC queries tied to the Content topic.
How to implement: Add an FAQ or spread answers across H2/H3 in the Content structure.
🧩 Outline & Narrative Flow
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Logical H2/H3 map for Content flow
Why: Clear outline makes the Content easy to scan and write. The Checklist keeps sections focused.
How to check: Build outline first; each H2 solves one reader problem in the Content.
How to implement: 3–6 H2, 2–4 H3 each; add jump links for long Content.
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Hook → Payoff in the Content narrative
Why: Start strong, finish with action so the Content converts.
How to check: First 3 lines = problem + promise. Last section = steps/template for the Content.
How to implement: Open with a short case/data; end with a practical Checklist or template.
🏷️ Headline, Slug, Meta
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Title that sells the Content
Why: CTR driver for the Content.
How to check: Write 5 variants (number, outcome, role) for this Content Checklist.
How to implement: Pick one with a clear benefit and strong promise.
Tools: Plerdy SEO Analyzer to compare H1 vs title and snippet for the Content.
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Meta title & description for the Content
Why: Snippet is a micro-ad for your Content.
How to check: Title ≤60 chars; description 140–160; main keyword once in this Content Checklist.
How to implement: Use “Problem → benefit → action” copy that fits the Content promise.
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Short, clean slug for the Content URL
How to check: Example:
/content-publish-checklist/(lowercase, hyphens).How to implement: Set before publishing; avoid dates unless it is news Content.
⚙️ On-Page SEO Essentials
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Keyword placement in Content
Why: Helps bots and users understand the Content topic.
How to check: Main keyword in H1, early intro, some H2; related terms in the Content body.
How to implement: Natural density; avoid stuffing in this Checklist step.
Tools: Plerdy SEO Analyzer for headings/keywords; GSC after publish.
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Internal links web inside Content
Why: Guides users and spreads authority across Content.
How to check: 3–7 internal links; add links from older Content to this piece.
How to implement: Descriptive anchors; avoid “click here”.
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External evidence for Content trust
Why: Improves E-E-A-T of the Content.
How to check: 2–5 strong sources; open in new tab.
How to implement: Prefer primary data and official docs.
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Schema (Article/FAQ/HowTo) for Content
Why: Helps rich results for the Content.
How to check: Validate with a structured data tester.
How to implement: Add JSON-LD via CMS/plugin, following the Checklist.
🗣️ Readability & Voice
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Plain, active language in Content
Why: More people finish the Content.
How to check: Read aloud; aim grade 6–8 for your Content.
How to implement: Short sentences, concrete verbs across the Checklist.
Tools: Hemingway; Grammarly.
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Consistent tone for the Content brand
Why: Consistency builds trust in Content.
How to check: Compare to style guide; write to “you”.
How to implement: Remove jargon; add simple examples in the Content.
📚 Evidence & Fact Quality
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Verify stats & dates in Content
Why: Wrong facts break trust and hurt the Content.
How to check: Check year, region, sample size, source in this Checklist step.
How to implement: Update >2-year-old stats or add context in the Content.
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Quotes & image licensing for Content
Why: Legal safety and trust for your Content.
How to check: Note author, license, link; credit in caption.
How to implement: Add a short credit line per the Checklist.
🖼️ Media, Alt, Accessibility
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Visuals with purpose for Content clarity
Why: Good visuals support understanding of the Content.
How to check: Each image/table answers a Content question.
How to implement: Step screenshots or simple diagrams in your Content Checklist.
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File weight & format for Content speed
Why: Speed matters for Content UX and SEO.
How to check: Images ≤150 KB; WebP; lazy-load per Checklist.
How to implement: Compress with Squoosh/TinyPNG; set width/height.
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Alt text & captions for Content access
Why: Accessibility and SEO for your Content.
How to check: One-line purpose alt; add a caption when useful.
How to implement: Example: “Alt: flowchart of 5 Content publish checks.”
👀 UX & Scannability
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Paragraph length & subheads in Content
Why: Users scan first, then read the Content.
How to check: 2–4 lines per paragraph; H3 every ~200 words in the Content.
How to implement: Lists, pull quotes, TL;DR blocks per the Checklist.
Tools (post-publish): Plerdy Heatmap/Scrollmap to see how far users read the Content.
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TOC for long Content reads
Why: Faster navigation inside the Content.
How to check: TOC mirrors H2/H3 anchors in the Content.
How to implement: Use a TOC plugin or manual anchors per the Checklist.
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Friction points in Content journey
Why: Removing friction keeps readers in the Content.
How to check: Watch Session Replays to see rage clicks or stalls in the Content.
How to implement: Shorten sections, move CTA above fold, split steps.
Tools: Plerdy Session Replay.
💰 Conversion & Offers
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One primary CTA for the Content
Why: Clear next step from the Content.
How to check: CTA matches goal; appears after key Content value.
How to implement: “Download checklist,” “Try free,” “Book demo.”
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Soft commitment inside Content
Why: Not everyone is ready; keep the Content friendly.
How to check: Add newsletter/related guide CTA near the end of the Content.
How to implement: Inline banner; no hard sell per the Checklist.
🛠️ Technical SEO & Indexing
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Indexability & canonicals for Content URL
Why: Avoid duplicates and noindex mistakes that hide the Content.
How to check: View source/SEO plugin; canonical points to main Content URL.
How to implement: Fix robots/meta; resubmit in GSC as part of the Checklist.
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Hreflang (if multi-language Content)
Why: Serve the correct regional Content version.
How to check: Validate hreflang pairs/return links.
How to implement: Add tags in head or via CMS following the Checklist.
⚡📱 Performance & Mobile
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Core Web Vitals basics for Content pages
Why: Better UX and rankings for the Content.
How to check: LCP ≤2.5s, INP ≤200ms, CLS ≤0.1 (lab then field) per Checklist.
How to implement: Set image sizes, reduce JS, preconnect critical domains.
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Mobile layout for Content usability
Why: Most traffic is mobile; Content must work on small screens.
How to check: DevTools mobile preview; tap all CTAs and menus.
How to implement: Increase tap targets; avoid tiny fonts/crowded elements.
📣 Social Preview & Shareability
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Open Graph/Twitter Card for Content share
Why: Better CTR when your Content appears on social.
How to check: Title, description, image 1200×630 per Checklist.
How to implement: Add OG tags; test in a preview tool.
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Share hooks inside the Content
Why: Easy share = more reach for the Content.
How to check: Share buttons visible; 1–2 tweetable lines exist.
How to implement: Add a short quote block with a key Content insight.
⚖️ Compliance & Ethics
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Disclosures (affiliate/sponsor) in Content
Why: Legal clarity and trust for the Content.
How to check: First mention or a top note is present.
How to implement: Add a short disclosure paragraph per the Checklist.
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Privacy (forms) linked in Content
Why: Trust & laws (GDPR/CCPA) for Content leads.
How to check: Link to policy; clear consent text exists.
How to implement: Minimal fields; explicit opt-in.
🌐 Localization (if needed)
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Locale details inside the Content
Why: Local examples make the Content feel native.
How to check: Currency, dates, examples, screenshots fit the market.
How to implement: Adjust terms and visuals per the Checklist.
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Language quality for localized Content
Why: Avoid awkward phrasing in translated Content.
How to check: Native review or pro editor pass on the Content.
How to implement: One pass focused on idioms and tone per the Checklist.
📊 Analytics & Measurement
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KPIs & events for the Content goal
Why: Know success metrics for the Content.
How to check: Pick 2–4 metrics (organic clicks, scroll depth, CTA clicks) for this Checklist.
How to implement: GA4 events; UTM on campaign links; Plerdy Heatmap/Scrollmap for fold/attention.
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Post-publish review plan for Content
Why: Real users show gaps in the Content.
How to check: After 3–7 days, review scroll, exits, rage clicks in the Content.
How to implement: Update headings, move CTAs, add FAQ; use Plerdy Session Replay + Heatmaps.
✅📝 Editorial QA
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Typos, grammar, consistency in Content
Why: Errors reduce trust and hurt the Content.
How to check: Read aloud; run a grammar tool; second pair of eyes.
How to implement: Fix tense/terms; standardize bullets, quotes in the Content Checklist.
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Links & formatting across the Content
Why: Broken UX hurts credibility of the Content.
How to check: Click every link; preview desktop + mobile.
How to implement: Replace dead links; unify spacing and heading levels.
♻️ Maintenance & Refresh
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Update schedule for evergreen Content
Why: Content decays; a Checklist keeps it fresh.
How to check: Set a 90–180-day review cycle for each Content piece.
How to implement: Calendar task: “stats refresh + new internal links”.
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Feedback loop on live Content
Why: Keep improving the Content with real feedback.
How to check: Collect reader questions via a micro-survey on the Content.
How to implement: Use Plerdy UX & Usability Testing for short on-page surveys; add findings to the Checklist.