Write a listicle: "[X best / N ways to / N habits that] [topic]". Link to our products where relevant.
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Write a listicle: "10 morning skincare habits that actually work, ranked". Number them, explain each in 2-3 paragraphs, link to our products where relevant, and finish with a "which one to start with" summary.
- Numbered list format with H2 per item for SEO clarity.
- Article schema markup.
- Direct-answer summary that AI assistants can quote.
- Internal links to products tied to each item.
What you're trying to do
Listicles have a worse reputation than they deserve. Discrete, scannable items are easy for readers and search engines to follow, shoppers who come for the list often stay for the recommendation, and numbered headlines get clicked and shared.
Things to watch out for
- List length: use the number the topic needs; 7 or 10 is common.
- Ranking: Fudge ranks by your stated criteria; doesn't pretend evidence it doesn't have.
- Product links: Fudge places them only in the items where they fit, not throughout.
- Schema: Fudge adds Article schema.
How Fudge does it
Fudge writes the article into a blog draft, researching the topic using your brand context (your products, brand voice, existing pages, and any notes or sources you give it) and structuring it for SEO and AEO. Everything starts in draft — review, edit any section, and publish when you're ready. No content goes live without your approval.
Are listicles still good for SEO in 2026?
Yes, when they’re substantive. Thin listicles (“10 reasons to drink water”) are the kind of content Google’s helpful-content systems demote. Substantive ones (2-3 paragraphs per item, real research, internal links, a stated ranking logic) still rank and are easy for AI assistants to quote. The format isn’t the problem; lazy execution is.
When to write one
Listicles work hardest for queries with obvious “best X” intent:
- “10 best skincare habits” — high search volume, commercial intent.
- “7 ways to style a linen dress” — usage-based, drives PDP traffic.
- “5 ingredients to avoid if you have sensitive skin” — protective intent, builds authority.
They underperform for topics where the count is arbitrary (“8 things about linen”) or where a single deep article would serve better. If the count is forced, write the deep article instead.
What makes one great
- A ranked order with stated logic — “ranked by ease of starting” or “ranked by impact” beats a random list every time. Tell readers why item 1 beat item 2.
- 2-3 paragraphs per item: enough to feel substantive. Bullet-only listicles read as thin.
- Internal product links where genuinely relevant — if item 4 is “use a sunscreen”, that’s where the product link belongs. Not in a generic “shop our skincare” CTA at the bottom.
- A “which one to start with” close — listicles are easier to read than to act on. Telling the reader which item to start with closes the gap.
Common mistakes to avoid
The biggest mistake is writing every item at the same depth — usually shallow. Real expertise is uneven: some items deserve a paragraph, others deserve three. Force the depth where it matters.
The second mistake is padding the list to reach a round number. Often, the genuine expertise is one or two items deep. A “3 best skincare habits” article that goes deep on each is more useful, and more likely to rank, than a “10 best” that’s filler from item 4 down.
Pair listicles with a how-to article for the items that deserve their own step-by-step treatment.
Fudge writes both with its blog writer.