Everybody’s writing listicles for their business. Should you? In a recent Substack post from Growth Memo, the newsletter declared that Google is demoting listicles in a “very targeted way.” In our latest blog, we took a look at the study, along with how to get your listicles to rank better. Read more below!
Why Are Listicles Good for Your Business?
With a listicle, you can increase your user engagement, including AI traffic. Its strict, heavily structured format makes it easy for AI-powered search engines to process and cite the information listed. They’re also extremely keyword-friendly, and can be used as definitive guides. As a result, listicles appear on nearly 55.1% of all Google search page results. The search engine also “shows 4.5x more listicles when users ask for a set of options.” Meanwhile, on ChatGPT, listicles are the “most-cited content type.”
Why Is Google Demoting Listicles?
While there isn’t a conclusive answer to this, there are some circulating theories. Google may be cracking down on the articles because they favor self-promotional content over comprehensive analysis. Another theory points to the fact that nearly half of all the top-ranking listicles are from a publisher, not a brand.
Should I Still Write Listicles for My Business?
It depends on your SEO strategy. If you’re looking for any and all types of exposure, writing listicles won’t hurt. Maybe your listicle will get featured in an AI Overviews, or show up on in a top-ranking position on a Google Search results page. Who knows? If your listicle gets cited, this is also an easy way to strengthen your website authority. But one thing worth keeping in mind: even the most top-ranking listicles aren’t generating a high click-through rate. As the study states, ” 92% of listicle SERPs carry Reddit or YouTube results; 93.4% of listicle-related B2B query results have AI Overviews.”
How Do I Get My Listicle to Rank Better?
Are your headlines engaging? Is the information clear and concise, or is it too textbook-heavy? When writing your listicle, consider analyzing its structure, intent, and language prior to publication. If it’s possible, be sure to also make the listicle evergreen so that it has a better chance of ranking longer.
Need More Help Getting Your Content to Rank Better on Google? Contact Boston Web Marketing, New England’s Largest Independent Digital Marketing Company!
At Boston Web Marketing, we’re ready to take care of your digital marketing needs. Since 2009, our team has been rated Boston’s #1 SEO (Search Engine Optimization), SEM (Search Engine Marketing), Social Media Management, and Website Design company. Whether you’re looking for high-ranking content, a refined social media strategy, or a new and improved website, we’re here to help. To learn more about our digital marketing services, or to receive a free website consultation, contact us on our website or call us at 857-526-0096. We’ll be in touch soon!