Text Quality
Text quality is a central ranking factor that determines the relevance, authority, and value of content for search engines and users. Google evaluates content based on various quality criteria that go beyond simple keyword density.
What is Text Quality?
Definition and Importance
Text quality encompasses all aspects that make content valuable, trustworthy, and user-friendly. It is crucial for:
- Search Engine Rankings - Google prefers high-quality content
- User Experience - Better readability leads to higher dwell time
- Conversion Rate - Quality content generates more leads and sales
- Brand Authority - Professional content strengthens brand positioning
Text Quality Criteria for SEO
1. Content Depth and Completeness
High-quality content comprehensively covers a topic and answers all relevant questions of the target audience.
Minimum Requirements:
- At least 1,500 words for main topics
- Detailed examples and case studies
- Practical use cases
- Expert knowledge and insider information
2. Uniqueness and Originality
Content must provide added value compared to existing articles.
Originality Factors:
- Own research and data
- Unique perspectives and opinions
- New insights or methods
- Current developments and trends
3. Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust (E-E-A-T)
Google evaluates content based on E-E-A-T criteria:
Experience:
- Author's practical experience
- First-hand reports and case studies
- Personal insights and lessons learned
Expertise:
- Verifiable qualifications
- Industry-specific knowledge
- In-depth technical knowledge
Authoritativeness:
- Recognition in the industry
- Quotes and mentions from experts
- Publications in renowned media
Trustworthiness:
- Transparent source citations
- Correct contact information
- Regular updates
Readability and User Experience
Flesch Reading Ease Score
The Flesch Reading Ease Score measures text readability on a scale of 0-100.
Optimal Sentence Structure
Sentence Length:
- Average 15-20 words per sentence
- Variation between short (5-10 words) and longer sentences (20-30 words)
- Avoid nested sentences with more than 3 subordinate clauses
Paragraph Structure:
- 3-5 sentences per paragraph
- One thought per paragraph
- Logical connection between paragraphs
Formatting for Better Readability
Heading Hierarchy:
- H1: Main topic (only once per page)
- H2: Main chapters
- H3: Sub-chapters
- H4-H6: Further structuring levels
Text Formatting:
- Bold for important terms
- Italics for emphasis
- Bullet points for lists
- Quotes for expert opinions
Content Structure and Organization
Inverted Pyramid Principle
The most important information is at the beginning of the article:
- Lead - Core message in the first 1-2 paragraphs
- Details - Detailed explanations
- Background - Additional information and context
Table of Contents (TOC)
A table of contents improves user experience and helps search engines with content structuring.
TOC Best Practices:
- Anchor links to all headings
- Logical hierarchy
- Short, concise headings
- Mobile-optimized display
Keyword Integration and Semantics
Natural Keyword Usage
Keywords must be naturally integrated into the text:
Keyword Density:
- Main keyword: 1-2% of total words
- LSI keywords: 0.5-1% per keyword
- Synonyms and variations: 2-3%
Keyword Placement:
- First 100 words of the text
- In at least one H2 heading
- Naturally integrated in body text
- In meta description and title tag
Semantic Optimization
LSI Keywords (Latent Semantic Indexing):
- Thematically related terms
- Synonyms and variations
- Industry-specific terminology
- Long-tail keywords
Semantic Clusters:
- Main keyword + 5-10 related terms
- Thematic grouping of keywords
- Ensure contextual relevance
Content Freshness and Timeliness
Regular Updates
Content must be kept current to maintain relevance:
Update Strategies:
- Quarterly content reviews
- Updating statistics and data
- Integration of new trends and developments
- Improvement based on user feedback
Freshness Signals
Timestamps:
- Publication date
- Last update
- Versioning for major changes
Timeliness Indicators:
- Current examples and case studies
- Latest tools and technologies
- Recent events and developments
Quality Control and Optimization
Content Audit Checklist
Content Review:
- Complete answer to search intent
- Unique and valuable information
- Correct facts and data
- Current and relevant content
Technical Review:
- Optimal keyword density
- Correct heading hierarchy
- Internal and external linking
- Meta tags and schema markup
User Experience:
- Readability and comprehensibility
- Logical structure and navigation
- Mobile optimization
- Loading times and performance
Tools for Content Quality
Readability Tools:
- Hemingway Editor
- Readable.io
- Yoast SEO (WordPress)
SEO Analysis Tools:
- SEMrush Content Audit
- Ahrefs Content Explorer
- Surfer SEO
Plagiarism Check:
- Copyscape
- Grammarly
- Quetext
Common Text Quality Mistakes
1. Keyword Stuffing
Problem: Excessive keyword usage
Solution: Natural integration with 1-2% density
2. Thin Content
Problem: Too superficial treatment of the topic
Solution: At least 1,500 words with detailed information
3. Duplicate Content
Problem: Copied or similar content
Solution: Unique, original content creation
4. Poor Readability
Problem: Complicated sentences and lack of structure
Solution: Flesch score of 60-70, clear organization
5. Lack of Expertise
Problem: Superficial knowledge without depth
Solution: Research, expert interviews, own experiences
Measurement and Monitoring
Content Performance Metrics
Engagement Metrics:
- Dwell Time
- Bounce Rate
- Scroll Depth
- Page views per session
Ranking Metrics:
- Keyword positions
- SERP Features (Featured Snippets)
- Click-Through Rate (CTR)
- Impressions
Conversion Metrics:
- Lead generation
- Newsletter signups
- Downloads
- Contact inquiries
Regular Optimization
Weekly:
- Performance analysis
- Keyword ranking check
- User feedback review
Monthly:
- Content audit
- Competitor analysis
- Update planning
Quarterly:
- Comprehensive content strategy review
- New keyword research
- Content refresh planning