Content SEO

Content Readability Scorer

/readability

Score your content's readability using Flesch-Kincaid, sentence length analysis, and paragraph structure checks. Get specific suggestions to improve scannability.

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Install all free SEO skills with one command:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ccforseo/seo-skills/main/install.sh | bash

Or install this skill manually:

$ git clone https://github.com/ccforseo/seo-skills.git
$ cp -r seo-skills/content-readability ~/.claude/skills/content-readability
View on GitHubFree · MIT License · 8 skills included

What it does

The Content Readability Scorer skill evaluates your content against multiple readability metrics including Flesch-Kincaid grade level, average sentence length, paragraph density, and scannability factors. It identifies overly complex sentences, long paragraphs, passive voice usage, and missing formatting elements like subheadings and bullet lists. Each finding includes a specific rewrite suggestion.

Key features

  • Calculates Flesch-Kincaid grade level and reading ease score
  • Flags sentences over 30 words and paragraphs over 4 sentences
  • Detects passive voice and suggests active alternatives
  • Checks for scannability (subheadings, lists, bold text)
  • Provides overall readability grade with improvement priority list

How to use Content Readability Scorer

  1. Run the command

    Type /readability and provide a URL or paste your content directly. The skill analyzes the text and scores it across multiple readability metrics.

  2. Review the scores

    The output shows your Flesch-Kincaid grade, average sentence length, passive voice percentage, and scannability score. Each metric is rated as good, needs improvement, or poor.

  3. Apply the suggestions

    The skill highlights specific sentences and paragraphs to improve, with suggested rewrites. Work through high-impact fixes first.

When to use it

Pre-publishing content quality check

Training writers to maintain consistent readability

Improving engagement metrics on underperforming articles

Ensuring content meets accessibility standards

Frequently asked questions

What Flesch-Kincaid grade level should I target for SEO content?

Target grade 8-10 for most SEO content. This is accessible to a broad audience while still handling technical topics. Academic or highly specialized content can go higher, but simpler writing generally performs better in search.

Does readability affect SEO rankings?

Google does not use readability scores as a direct ranking factor. However, readable content reduces bounce rates, increases time on page, and improves user engagement signals that do affect rankings indirectly.

Can the readability scorer check content in languages other than English?

The Flesch-Kincaid formula is designed for English. For other languages, the skill adapts by using sentence length and paragraph structure metrics that apply universally, though grade-level scoring is most accurate in English.

How does scannability differ from readability?

Readability measures how easy the text is to read at the sentence level. Scannability measures how easy it is to skim the page and find information using subheadings, bold text, lists, and short paragraphs. Both matter for SEO content.

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