Check Your Content Readability

Why Readability Matters for Content Marketing

Readability directly impacts how users engage with your content. Research shows that the average web user reads only about 20% of the text on a page. If your writing is dense, complex, or filled with long sentences, readers will leave before reaching your call to action, your product mention, or your key insights.

For SEO, readability affects critical user signals. Content that is easy to read tends to have lower bounce rates, higher time-on-page, and more social shares — all of which correlate with better search rankings. Google's own guidelines emphasize writing content that is helpful and easy to understand.

Understanding the Flesch-Kincaid Score

The Flesch Reading Ease formula was developed by Rudolf Flesch and later adapted by J. Peter Kincaid. It calculates readability based on two factors: the average number of words per sentence and the average number of syllables per word. The formula is: 206.835 - 1.015 x (words/sentences) - 84.6 x (syllables/words).

A score of 90-100 is easily understood by a 5th grader. Scores of 60-70 are ideal for standard web content. Scores below 30 indicate college-graduate level complexity. Most successful blog content scores between 60 and 70, striking a balance between authority and accessibility.

Tips for Improving Readability

Start by breaking long sentences into shorter ones — aim for an average of 15-20 words per sentence. Use simple, everyday words where possible. Break content into short paragraphs of 2-3 sentences. Use subheadings, bullet points, and white space to create visual breathing room. Read your content aloud — if you run out of breath, the sentence is too long.