Big Words Don't Impress Google
Or readers.
That 47-word sentence with 3 semicolons and a dependent clause nested inside a parenthetical? Nobody finished it.
They bounced. Google noticed. Your rankings dropped.
The Readability-Rankings Connection
Google measures user signals. Dwell time. Bounce rate. Pogo-sticking.
When your content is hard to read, people leave. When people leave, Google thinks your content doesn't satisfy the query. When Google thinks that, you drop.
Simple writing = longer engagement = better rankings.
It's not complicated. wink
Rules for Readable Content
Short sentences. 15-20 words max. Vary the length but keep them punchy. Tools like Hemingway App catch bloated sentences instantly.
Short paragraphs. 1-3 sentences. White space is your friend.
Simple words. "Use" not "utilize." "Help" not "facilitate." "Start" not "commence."
Active voice. "We built the tool" not "The tool was built by us."
Subheadings every 200-300 words. Readers scan. Help them.
Bullet points and numbered lists. Break up walls of text.
The Grade Level Target
Aim for a 6th-8th grade reading level. Not because your readers are dumb -- because even smart people prefer easy reading.
The Harvard Business Review writes at an 8th grade level. If it's good enough for Harvard, it's good enough for your blog. For more on formatting tricks that improve readability, check out formatting content for scanners. And if you want to make sure your content stays engaging AND optimized, our guide to writing for SEO without sounding robotic is the natural next read.
Keep it simple. Rank higher. SEO Checkup helps you nail every on-page factor. 113 tasks. Free. 30 seconds.