Blog Posts Review Checklist: What to Check Before Publishing
Complete review checklist for blog posts. Covers every quality dimension your team should check before publishing.
Your Blog Posts Review Checklist
Use this checklist before publishing any blog post. It covers the five dimensions that separate high-performing posts from mediocre ones: SEO, readability, brand voice, accuracy, and engagement.
SEO
- Title tag contains primary keyword (under 60 characters)
- Meta description is compelling and under 155 characters
- H1 matches title tag intent (one H1 per page)
- Subheadings (H2/H3) include secondary keywords naturally
- 3-5 internal links to related content
- At least 1 external link to authoritative source
- Image alt tags include descriptive text
- URL slug is short and keyword-rich
Readability
- Flesch-Kincaid grade level 8-10 for general audience
- Average sentence length under 20 words
- Paragraphs are 3-4 sentences maximum
- Subheadings every 200-300 words
- Bullet points or numbered lists where appropriate
- No walls of text — white space used effectively
Brand Voice
- Tone matches brand guidelines
- Preferred terminology used consistently
- No banned words or phrases
- Writing style matches target channel
- Personality is evident throughout
Accuracy
- All statistics have verifiable sources
- Product claims match current features
- No outdated information
- Quotes attributed correctly
- Technical terminology used correctly
Engagement
- First paragraph answers the reader's primary question
- Clear hook in opening 2-3 sentences
- Value delivered throughout (not just at the end)
- CTA is relevant and clearly placed
- Conclusion provides actionable takeaway
How to Use This Checklist
Run through this checklist before publishing any blog posts. For teams using AI content review, these checklist items can be converted into weighted evaluation criteria — so every piece is scored automatically against your quality standards.
Start by identifying which checklist items are most critical for your team (these become your highest-weighted criteria), then build a custom reviewer that enforces them on every piece of content.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I check before publishing blog posts?
Review every item in this checklist across all dimensions. The most critical items vary by team, but accuracy and brand voice are universally important.
Can I automate this checklist?
Yes — convert the checklist items into AI review criteria. Each section becomes a criterion with a weight based on your priorities. The AI scores every piece against these criteria automatically.