Content Enrichment: Making Posts More Accessible
Enhancing Content for Better Readability and Accessibility
Content is valuable, but how it's presented matters just as much. I've implemented several improvements to make all posts on this site more accessible, readable, and useful. Here's what changed and why.
The Challenge
My blog contains different types of content:
- Technical guides for IT professionals
- Personal blog entries in German
- Book reviews and reading recommendations
- AI-related articles and reflections
Each deserves its own approach, but all benefit from better organization and clarity. Visitors couldn't quickly understand post length or complexity before diving in, and inconsistent formatting made some posts harder to scan.
What I Implemented
Reading Time Estimates
Each post now includes a reading time estimate. This helps visitors:
- Decide whether they have time to read a full post
- Skim longer technical guides more strategically
- Understand the depth of coverage upfront
Reading time is calculated based on average reading speed (roughly 200 words per minute) and displayed in the post metadata.
Structured Content Formats
I created consistent templates for different content types:
Technical Posts (IT-Pro)
- Clear objective statement
- Key features or requirements listed upfront
- Solution overview before diving into details
- Step-by-step implementation sections
- Conclusion with key takeaways
Book Reviews (Read)
- Author and publication context
- Key concepts and main themes
- Personal insights and reactions
- Specific takeaways worth remembering
- Recommendation summary
Personal Blog Entries (Blog)
- Engaging introduction
- Narrative structure with clear sections
- Personal observations and reflections
- Contextual details that bring stories to life
- Closing thoughts
AI & Automation Content (AI Blubber)
- Problem statement or objective
- Approach and methodology
- Results and observations
- Lessons learned
- Links to related content
Visual Hierarchy Improvements
Posts now feature:
- Clear headings that break up content
- Better use of whitespace and formatting
- Section dividers for visual clarity
- Emphasis on key concepts through formatting
- Consistent use of lists where appropriate
Improved Metadata and Context
Each post now includes:
- Publication date (makes it clear when content was created)
- Reading time estimate (helps with time management)
- Clear descriptions that preview content
- Better section organization
Why This Matters
These improvements serve important purposes:
- Accessibility: Clear structure helps readers with cognitive load and makes content easier to scan
- Time Efficiency: Readers can make informed decisions about what to read and when
- Professionalism: Consistent formatting reflects care and attention to detail
- Scannability: Better organization means readers can find what they need quickly
- Engagement: When content is easy to read, people engage with it more deeply
Examples in Practice
These improvements are now applied across the site:
- Technical posts now start with clear objectives so readers know what they'll learn
- Book reviews highlight key insights upfront
- Personal blog entries use better section breaks for improved flow
- AI articles clearly state the problem and approach before diving in
Future Enhancements
Building on this foundation, I can:
- Automatically generate table of contents for longer posts
- Add thematic tags and cross-links between related posts
- Create "further reading" sections that suggest related content
- Implement dynamic reading time based on actual content analysis
- Add summary cards at the end of posts with key takeaways
The Philosophy
Content enrichment isn't about adding fluff or unnecessary elements. It's about respecting the reader's time and effort by:
- Being clear about what they'll get from reading
- Organizing information logically
- Making it easy to scan and find what matters
- Removing friction from the reading experience
When content is well-presented, the ideas shine through, and readers get more value from every post.
Mini Checklist Before Publishing
- Reading time present and realistic.
- Headings every ~3–4 paragraphs for scannability.
- One pull-quote or bold key line per long article.
- Links to related posts at the end when relevant.