How to measure and improve readability scores across your articles

Readability impacts how well your audience engages with and understands your content. If your articles are too complex, you risk alienating readers. If they are too simplistic, you might not convey enough depth. Striking the right balance ensures accessibility for all, including non-native speakers and readers with different literacy levels.

A well-optimised readability score can improve:

• Engagement: Readers stay longer and interact more with easy-to-digest content.
• SEO rankings: Search engines prioritise clear, concise writing.
• Conversions: Clearer content improves reader trust, increasing subscriptions and shares.
• Content shareability: Simple and direct content is more likely to be shared on social media and other platforms.
• User retention: A well-structured article encourages repeat visits and builds a loyal readership.

Step 1: Measure readability scores

To optimise readability, you first need to assess how your articles perform. Several tools and formulas help determine this:

1.1 Use readability formulas

• Flesch-Kincaid Readability Tests: Measures reading ease (0-100) and grade level.
• Gunning Fog Index: Estimates the years of formal education needed to understand the text.
• SMOG Index: Designed for complex writing, particularly useful in medical and technical content.
• Automated Readability Index (ARI): Estimates readability based on sentence and word length.
• Coleman-Liau Index: Uses character count per word rather than syllables to determine readability, offering a different perspective on complexity.

1.2 Use online readability tools

• Hemingway Editor: Highlights complex sentences and suggests simplifications.
• Grammarly Readability Score: Provides insights based on sentence structure and word choice.
• Yoast SEO Plugin (WordPress): Offers readability analysis, including sentence length and passive voice usage.
• Readable.io: Gives an overall readability score and suggests actionable improvements.
• ProWritingAid: Combines grammar and readability analysis for a more comprehensive assessment.

By regularly assessing your readability scores, you can identify problem areas and make targeted improvements.

Step 2: Simplify sentence structure

One of the biggest contributors to readability issues is sentence complexity. Strategies to improve readability include:

• Break up long sentences: Keep sentences under 20 words where possible.
• Use active voice: Instead of “The article was written by the editor,” write “The editor wrote the article.”
• Avoid jargon: Use plain, everyday language unless necessary for technical accuracy.
• Use bullet points and subheadings: This enhances readability by breaking up dense text blocks.
• Limit subordinate clauses: Too many dependent clauses can make sentences harder to follow.
• Ensure logical flow: Use transitions like “However,” “For example,” and “In contrast” to guide readers smoothly.

Step 3: Optimise word choice

Complex words slow down comprehension and create friction in reading. Improve word choice by:

• Replacing difficult words with simpler alternatives: Use “help” instead of “facilitate,” or “use” instead of “utilise.”
• Avoiding unnecessary adjectives and adverbs: Concise writing improves clarity and impact.
• Using reader-friendly phrasing: Ensure the tone matches your audience’s expectations.
• Considering regional variations: Ensure words and phrases align with the cultural and linguistic context of your readers.
• Avoiding clichés and redundant phrases: Phrases like “in this day and age” can be shortened to “today.”

Step 4: Improve formatting for better scanning

Readers rarely read entire articles word-for-word. They scan for key points. Improve readability by:

• Using short paragraphs: Stick to 2-3 sentences per paragraph.
• Incorporating whitespace: Avoid walls of text to improve visual appeal.
• Adding subheadings: Guide readers through sections with clear, informative headings.
• Emphasising key points: Use bold, italics, or pull quotes to highlight essential information.
• Using numbered lists where appropriate: This helps readers process sequential information easily.
• Including relevant images and infographics: Visual aids enhance comprehension and retention.

Step 5: Test and iterate

After making readability adjustments, re-test your articles using readability tools. Measure whether the changes:

• Lowered the reading grade level: More accessible without losing depth?
• Improved engagement metrics: Increased time on page and reduced bounce rate?
• Enhanced SEO performance: Higher rankings for key content?
• Increased social media engagement: More shares and interactions on social platforms?
• Boosted audience feedback: Positive responses and lower complaints about content complexity?

Regularly refining readability ensures continuous improvement, making content more effective for a diverse readership.

Final thoughts

Readability is not about dumbing down content—it’s about making it easier to consume. By measuring readability scores, simplifying structure, refining word choice, and optimising formatting, you can make your articles more engaging and widely accessible without sacrificing quality. A focus on readability improves overall user experience, making your content more inviting and shareable while reinforcing your publication’s credibility.