Want to get an instant boost in page views? Getting your article featured in any of Associated Content’s sections (health and wellness, sports, etc.) is a great way to do it. As a previous category editor for Associated Content, I can tell you exactly what they look for in a featured article. Use these tips to increase your chances of getting featured.

Words and Phrases

Use simple, actionable words to get the point across in as few words as possible. The average reader scans, not reads, an article–they want want to find information fast. Associated Content knows this, and prefers to feature articles that use simple, effective words and phrases.

Subsections

Use bold or underlined titles for each subsection–this visually tells readers what to expect in the following section. Bold or underlined titles also create dimension, making it easier to read.

Paragraphs

Keep paragraphs short to improve readability. Associated Content isn’t fond of articles with a “wall” of text because it isn’t scannable, which reduces traffic. Keep your paragraphs short, or around 3-4 sentences per paragraph.

Personal Slant

Opinions aren’t banned–in fact, Associated Content prefers articles with a slant. They’re more likely to feature an article about an author’s personal experience than one without an opinion. But don’t make it so opinionated it gets branded as an opinion piece. Instead, sprinkle some of your opinions with related facts and statistics to balance it out. Don’t make claims if you can’t back up with any evidence.

SEO

Incorporate basic SEO by sprinkling a couple of keywords (or phrases) into the introductory paragraph, spreading those keywords throughout the body. The key here is to use the keywords naturally within the text–don’t force it in or it can ruin the flow of your article. Associated Content won’t go out of their way to find articles featuring good SEO, but they do prefer it.

Titles

Use basic, simple titles; refrain from witty or vague titles. Witty titles just aren’t good for SEO, and Associated Content discourages it. For example, if your article is about decorations for Halloween, “Let’s Get Spooky! 5 Scary Ways to Decorate Your Next Halloween Blowout” isn’t favorable–but “Scary Decorations for Halloween Parties” is. Remember, keep the witty stuff for your subtitle. Use the title to explain exactly what your article is about.

Topics

Stay away from topics that aren’t family-friendly or written for a specific audience . Associated Content likes to feature articles that appeal to a broader audience (it brings in more page views). Associated Content also prides itself on being a family-friendly website, so a detailed review of a personal massager isn’t going to be featured.

Pictures

Make sure to always (and I mean always) upload a picture. For Associated Content, this eliminates the hassle of finding and attaching a picture prior to a feature. If they have to do less work, you get more brownie points. Make sure to upload a picture from an approved source, though–grabbing an article from Google Images is not okay.

So, to recap:

• Make it simple, informative and give a balanced opinion about a popular, but unique, topic.
• Make it clean–use short paragraphs and separate sections with headings.
• SEO is good, but don’t force keywords into your article.
• Add a picture to get additional brownie points.

These won’t guarantee a feature on Associated Content, but it’s a very effective way of saying “Hey, AC! I’ve crafted this article so it’s perfect for your site–you definitely want to feature this.”

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How to Get Featured on Associated Content is a part of the AC Tutorials series on WJR. To view all of the articles included in this series, click here.