What is the 32110 rule? - Darwin's Data

The 32110 rule is a guideline for organizing and optimizing content to improve search engine optimization (SEO). It suggests that web pages should contain at least 3,000 words, include 21 headings (H2 and H3 tags), have 10 images with alt text, and link to 1 external website. The goal is to create content that is informative, well-structured, and aligned with search intent.

Table of Contents

Why is the 32110 rule important?

Search engines, especially Google, use complex algorithms to analyze web pages and determine their relevance for search queries. While the exact details of these algorithms are proprietary secrets, we know that certain elements help search engines understand and rank pages higher in results.

The 32110 recommendation targets several of these key ranking factors:

Word count – Longer, more in-depth pages tend to rank better than short, thin content.
Headings – Headings help structure information and make it easier for search bots to understand.
Images – Images break up blocks of text and can enhance pages visually.

External links – Outbound links indicate authority and trustworthiness.

Optimizing these elements is believed to improve a page’s relevance and authority, leading to better rankings in search results. While not an absolute guarantee, pages adhering to the 32110 rule stand a good chance of outperforming those that don’t.

What is the ideal word count?

The 32110 recommendation calls for 3,000 or more words of content per page. But why 3,000 exactly? Here are some of the key reasons behind this word count guideline:

In-depth content – 3,000 words or more allows you to cover topics fully with thorough explanations, research, examples, etc. This shows search engines you have authority on the subject.
Keyword optimization – More content means ability to naturally incorporate relevant keywords and phrases multiple times without over-optimizing.
Address user intent – Length provides opportunity to answer questions and satisfy informational needs searchers have.

Engagement – Higher word counts tend to increase time on page, lower bounce rates, and boost pages per session.

Additionally, several studies have shown pages over 2,000-3,000 words tend to outperform shorter pages in search results. While not required, aiming for 3,000+ words per page is a best practice for SEO when creating in-depth content.

Word count considerations

However, more content just for the sake of more content isn’t advisable either. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

Value should come before volume – Focus on quality content first.
Keyword stuffing hurts pages – Don’t over-optimize just to hit word counts.
Multimedia can supplement text – Images, videos, charts, etc. add value for readers.

Think about user experience – Avoid overly long blocks of unbroken text.

In the end, the goal should be creating the amount of content needed to thoroughly cover a topic and address user intent. For many pages, that ends up being around the 3,000 word mark. But quality trumps quantity when optimizing content.

Best practices for utilizing headings (H2, H3 tags)

Headings are HTML elements (like <h1>, <h2>, etc.) that help structure content on a page. They break up blocks of text, making it easier for users to skim and consume information. Search engines also use headings to understand content and determine page relevance. Here are some best practices for using headings effectively:

Use descriptive, keyword-rich headings – Summarize sections well for users and SEO.
Have a clear hierarchy and order – Don’t jump from H2 to H4, for example.
Avoid repetitive, vague headings like “Overview” – Add detail and value.

Use sentence case capitalization – Capitalize first word only.
Watch heading length – Strive for 65 characters or under.
Use 2-3 subheads (H3) under each H2 – Break up content further.

Include 21+ total headings – Spread across H2s and H3s.

Headings help create an outline-like structure. Each H2 should focus on one sub-topic, with H3s drilling into details under the H2 topics. Writing good headings takes practice, but mastering the skill can greatly improve on-page SEO.

HTML heading tags

Here is a quick overview of HTML heading tags from largest to smallest:

<h1> – Used for page title/subject.
<h2> – Major headings for sections.
<h3> – Subheadings under H2 topics.

<h4> – Further subsections under H3s (optional).
<h5>, <h6> – Rarely needed, but used for deeper subtopics if required.

Best practice is to have one H1 containing your page title or subject, multiple H2s covering subtopics, and H3s breaking those sections down further. Don’t overuse headings just to hit a certain number. Let your content structure determine what headings make sense for the page.

Why you should use images and best practices

Images can greatly enhance pages in both appearance and performance. Here are some key benefits to using images along with best practices:

Benefits of images

Visual appeal – Images make pages more eye-catching and engaging.
Break up text – Improves readability and reduces user fatigue.

Increase dwell time – People stay on image-rich pages longer, improving engagement.
Link building – Can put images on external sites with links back to your page.
Social sharing – Images boost social media shares and clicks.

Image SEO best practices

Use optimized file types – JPG, PNG, WebP.
Compress images – Reduce file size without sacrificing quality.
Fill alt text – Helps search engines understand images.

Set title tags – Appears as a tooltip when hovered over.
Add captions – Provides context below images.
Include attribution – Cite source of images you didn’t create.

By following these best practices, you can maximize the SEO and visibility benefits images provide. Use a mix of photos, graphics, screenshots, diagrams, etc. to enrich page appearance and content.

When to use tables

Tables are a great way to present certain types of data on pages, such as:

Comparison charts – Comparing features, pricing, etc.

Specifications – Detailed product specs or attributes.
Timelines – Sequential events or steps.
Data-heavy statistics – Surveys, reports, analytics, etc.

The defining aspect is multiple sets of data points that have relationships or connections. Displaying them in a table allows users to quickly scan, compare and digest the information.

Tables may not be ideal for long-form content best presented in paragraph format. But they shine for datasets with classifications and metrics – essentially turning rows and columns into visualization tools.

Some examples where tables are particularly helpful:

SEO audit findings – Columns for URL, issue, severity, etc.
Historical financials – Time periods as columns, metrics as rows.
Tournament brackets – Columns for rounds leading to final outcome.

Recipe ingredients – Columns for amounts, ingredients, etc.

The key is identifying places where relationships between data points are better conveyed in a grid or matrix format. Aligning related information into columns and rows improves comprehension and readability.

HTML tables best practices

To properly structure data into HTML tables, keep these best practices in mind:

Use <table> tag to start table.
<tr> indicates table row.
<td> wraps cells of data.

<th> defines table header/title cells.
Use <caption> for table title.
Scope attributes define header relationships.

Use Zebra striping for readability.
Keep reasonably sized – Avoid huge tables.
Make responsive for mobile – Horizontal scrolling.

Here is an example table code structure:

SEO Audit Findings
URL	Issue	Severity
/blog/post-1	H1 missing	High
/contact	No alt text on images	Medium

Following HTML table markup practices keeps the underlying code clean while also improving the visual presentation.

Why use outbound links?

Linking to external websites serves multiple purposes:

Indicates authority and trust

Outbound links show search engines that your site provides value and genuinely aims to help users, rather than just promote itself. Highly-regarded sites typically link outbound generously.

Enhances visitor experience

Relevant external links give users more resources related to the topic, making your content more useful and valuable.

Gains additional backlinks

Sites may link back to your page after you link to them, helping increase your domain authority. But links should be given editorially, not just to get something in return.

Supports organizations through attribution

If you reference or use external data, link to that original source as a form of attribution and validation.

Diversifies anchor text

Varying your anchor text helps avoid over-optimization issues. Using branded names as anchor text when linking outbound is an easy way to diversify.

Here are some tips for effective outbound linking:

Links should be given editorially, not bought/sold.
Avoid linking to spammy, shady, or irrelevant sites.
Use nofollow on paid links and user-generated content.

Vary anchor text – avoid repetitive keywords.
Place links naturally within content flow.

Outbound links show generosity and make your site more useful. Sticking to high-quality, relevant sites will benefit both users and SEO.

Conclusion

The 32110 rule provides baseline recommended targets for optimizing pages to improve search visibility and rankings. While not official Google requirements, incorporating these elements where appropriate aligns well with known ranking factors and SEO best practices.

To recap, the key components are:

3,000+ words of in-depth content

Approximately 21 headings (mix of H2 and H3)
Around 10 images with proper SEO
At least 1 relevant outbound link

Going beyond superficial content with comprehensive information, strategic formatting, and media enhances pages tremendously. Combined with technical optimization and quality link building, adhering to the 32110 rule as a content guideline can give pages an SEO advantage.

But always remember that great content comes first – the numbers are secondary. Write to satisfy users more than algorithms or metrics. If you do that well, the proper organic search visibility will follow in time.