Pillar page is a comprehensive, long-form piece of content that covers a broad topic in-depth and serves as a central hub or “pillar” for related subtopics. The idea behind a pillar page is to provide a comprehensive overview of a topic, while also linking out to more specific subtopics related to that topic.
Pillar pages typically cover a broad topic using a mix of text, images, and other multimedia elements, and they are structured in a way that makes it easy for readers to navigate and find the information they need. They often include a table of contents, headings, and subheadings to help organize the content and make it easy to scan.
The goal of a pillar page is to provide a valuable resource for readers, while also boosting your website’s SEO by creating a centralized hub of information that search engines can use to better understand your website’s content and organization. By linking out to more specific subtopics related to your pillar page, you can also help to boost the SEO of those subpages and create a more interconnected web of content on your website.
Clusters and pillar pages:
Clusters and pillar pages are related concepts that are often used together in content marketing and SEO.
A cluster is a group of related subtopics or pages that are linked together around a central topic. Clusters typically include multiple pieces of content, such as blog posts or articles, that cover different aspects of the topic in-depth.
A pillar page is a comprehensive, long-form piece of content that covers a broad topic in-depth and serves as a central hub or “pillar” for related subtopics. The idea behind a pillar page is to provide a comprehensive overview of a topic, while also linking out to more specific subtopics related to that topic.
Together, clusters and pillar pages form a content strategy known as “topic clusters.” The idea behind topic clusters is to create a network of related content on your website that is organized around a central topic. The pillar page serves as the central hub or overview for the cluster, while the individual pieces of content within the cluster provide more detailed information on specific subtopics related to the main topic.
By organizing your content in this way, you can help to boost your website’s SEO by creating a clear hierarchy of content that search engines can use to better understand your website’s content and organization. Additionally, by linking out to other pieces of content within your cluster, you can help to drive more traffic to those pages and keep visitors on your site longer, which can help to improve your overall search engine rankings.
Pillar pages and their impact on SEO:
Pillar pages can have a major impact on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) because they provide a central content hub for a specific topic, structured and organized in a way that search engines can easily understand.
Here are some of the ways that pillar pages can impact SEO:
- Improved relevance: Pillar pages allow you to cover a broad topic in-depth, which helps to demonstrate your relevance and authority to search engines. This can improve your website’s rankings for relevant keywords and phrases.
- Internal linking: Pillar pages typically link to a number of related subtopics and pages, which helps to create a more interconnected web of content on your website. This can help to boost the SEO of those subpages and improve the overall organization and structure of your website.
- Increased engagement: Pillar pages often include a table of contents, headings, and subheadings that make it easy for readers to navigate and find the information they need. This can help to keep visitors on your website longer, which can improve your bounce rate and increase engagement metrics, both of which can have a positive impact on SEO.
- Backlinks: Pillar pages can be a valuable resource for other websites, which may link to them as a reference or citation. This can help to improve your website’s backlink profile, which is an important factor in SEO.
Overall, pillar pages are a powerful tool for improving your website’s SEO by providing a central hub of content that is relevant, engaging, and easy for search engines to understand. By implementing a pillar page strategy, you can improve your website’s rankings, increase engagement, and drive more traffic to your website.
Types of pillar pages:
There are different types of pillar pages, and the most common ones include:
- Comprehensive pillar pages: These are pillar pages that cover a broad topic comprehensively, providing a one-stop-shop for the readers on that particular topic. Comprehensive pillar pages are usually long-form, containing detailed information, graphics, and videos.
- 10x content pillar pages: These are pillar pages that aim to create content that is ten times better than what is currently available on the internet. 10x content pillar pages may include original research, expert interviews, and unique data, all aimed at creating a resource that is the best on the internet.
- Multi-topic pillar pages: Multi-topic pillar pages cover multiple topics that are related to each other. They are structured around a broader theme and can be used to create content silos on a website.
- Product/service-focused pillar pages: These are pillar pages that focus on a particular product or service offered by a business. The content on these pages is designed to provide comprehensive information about the product or service, including its features, benefits, and use cases.
- Listicle-style pillar pages: Listicle-style pillar pages are structured around a list of items, each with its own description and illustration. Listicle-style pillar pages are easy to read and can be used to generate interest in a particular topic or theme.
Each type of pillar page has its own benefits and use cases, depending on the goals and objectives of the content strategy. It’s important to select the right type of pillar page based on the target audience, industry, and other factors, to ensure that the content is engaging, informative, and effective.
How to create a pillar page using best practices:
Creating a pillar page can be an effective content marketing strategy to improve your website’s SEO, increase engagement, and drive more traffic. Here are some best practices to follow when creating a pillar page:
- Choose a broad topic: A pillar page should be focused on a broad topic that covers multiple subtopics within it. This will allow you to create a comprehensive resource that your audience can refer to for a complete understanding of the topic.
- Conduct thorough research: Before creating a pillar page, conduct thorough research to gather data and information on the topic. This can include competitor analysis, keyword research, and user research to understand what your audience is searching for and what questions they have about the topic.
- Structure the page: Pillar pages should have a clear structure and hierarchy, with the most important information at the top and a table of contents to help readers navigate the page. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to make the content scannable and easy to read.
- Include visual elements: To make the page more engaging, include visual elements such as images, infographics, and videos. These can help to break up the text and make the content more visually appealing.
- Link to relevant subtopics: A pillar page should link to related subtopics within your website, creating a content cluster. This can help to boost the SEO of those subpages and improve the overall organization and structure of your website.
- Optimize for SEO: This will help search engines understand the content and improve your website’s rankings.
- Promote the page: Once the pillar page is live, promote it through social media, email marketing, and other channels to drive traffic and engagement.
By following these best practices, you can create a pillar page that is comprehensive, engaging, and effective for your audience.
