How to write a listicle that actually ranks

A 'listicle' is an article organized as a list — '7 ways to…', '5 mistakes…'. They're popular because they're easy to scan and promise clear value. Done well they're genuinely useful; done lazily they're filler.

How to make a good one

• •Make each item genuinely valuable, not padding to hit a number.
• •Use a clear, honest headline that matches the content.
• •Give each point enough substance to be useful.
• •Keep it scannable with clear subheadings.

Substance over count

Don't stretch to '15 tips' if you only have 7 good ones — padding hurts. A tight list of genuinely helpful points beats a bloated one every time.