Pre-Publication Checklist for AI-Friendly Content

A strong pre-publication checklist should confirm that content is clear, accurate, structured, accessible, and easy for both people and AI systems to process.

Core checklist

State the main point early: Put the answer or key takeaway near the top so readers and AI tools can identify it quickly.
Use clear headings: Organize content with a logical heading hierarchy and avoid skipped levels.
Keep paragraphs short: Use concise paragraphs, simple sentences, and list formatting where helpful for scannability.
Check factual accuracy: Verify facts, names, dates, prices, claims, and quotes against reliable sources.
Fill all placeholders: Replace bracketed fields, draft notes, and generic AI-generated fillers before publishing.
Match audience intent: Confirm the piece addresses the right user need, context, and level of detail.
Align tone and voice: Make sure the language sounds natural, on-brand, and free of overused AI phrasing.
Review links: Check that internal and external links work and point to relevant, trustworthy destinations.
Add accessibility elements: Ensure descriptive link text, meaningful alt text, readable contrast, and semantic structure.
Verify metadata and schema: Confirm title tags, meta descriptions, and structured data are accurate and complete.
Check mobile and layout formatting: Review spacing, tables, images, and overall presentation on the intended platform.
Do a final human read-through: Read the piece aloud or have someone else review it for flow and anything that feels unnatural.