How-to guides are like sperms. Only one out of millions can fertilize an egg, yet we all write the same content trying to use different expressions, hoping to get to the top of Google searches.
You open a new tab and begin to type in “how to do X” and before you know it, you’re scrolling through SERP after SERP of different blog posts that all look the same. They’re filled with tips, tricks, and strategies - but they don’t bring any real value.
If you’re tired of coming across the same old how-to guide blog posts, then let’s moan about it, just like people moan all the time about everything. Generic how-to guides are boring lettuce.
Did You Know?
- Reader Preferences: 78% of readers wish for more storytelling and less instructional content in blog posts.
- Content Overload: 65% of online users feel overwhelmed by the amount of content available.
- Engagement Drop: Blogs with purely instructional content have seen a 10% drop in reader engagement year over year.
- Desire for Diversity: 55% of blog readers state they would engage more if there were a wider variety of content formats available.
- Bounce Rates: How-to guide posts have a 5% higher bounce rate compared to posts that incorporate narratives or case studies.
How-To Guide Blog Posts Are Unoriginal
Of course, they are unoriginal. Because we writers “research” before we write. How do you think we conduct research and go to a library? For Christ’s sake, we all google. We copy what’s been told by other sites, rewrite it in our own words and pretend the idea is our original.
There are plenty of great blogs out there that don't rely on rehashing the same old topics over and over again. But those good blogs cannot necessarily be found easily by googling. Even authority sites like Forbes publish trashy how-to list articles; “Easy way to make money online - play poker.” Really?
How-To Guide Blog Posts Are Pointless
How-to guides often just regurgitate the same old information that you could find anywhere else or state the obvious.
“If your bathroom is flooded and you’re unable to shut off the water, the best way to deal with it is to contact a plumber as soon as possible.”
“The best way” to deal with it? It’s the only way. Unless you really don’t know what to do, in which case the other way is to call your mommy.
These types of posts are pointless, and here's why:
- There's nothing new or unique about them.
- They don't offer any real value or insights.
- They're usually low-quality and poorly written.
- They're a waste of time to read.
- There are better ways to learn how to do something (like actually doing it).
Did You Know?
- Time on Page: Posts that mix instructions with stories keep readers on the page 25% longer than straightforward how-to guides.
- Sharing Stats: Articles with unique or controversial viewpoints are shared 20% more often than basic how-to posts.
- SEO Impact: Instructional posts often have higher initial traffic but lower long-term engagement and SEO benefits.
- Return Visits: Blogs that diversify content see a 15% higher rate of return visits.
- Consumer Fatigue: 70% of consumers feel bombarded by repetitive content, leading to general content fatigue.
Not All How-To Guides Are Genuine
How-to guides are often written by guest contributors for a backlinking purpose. Articles are decent when written by genuine bloggers, but otherwise, they are just shoddy work by SEO agents. They make money by planting a link on third-party websites for their clients. They hire writers for cheap rates and get them to write how-to guide articles.
The cheap writers, on the other hand, are not specialized in any particular topics. What they do is google search the topic, copy the content from several other sites and re-write it in their own words, or use a paraphrasing tool to create it as if it’s their original. They only get paid per word, so they don't bother writing quality content.
We Write How-To Guides For The Sake Of It
Otherwise, many of us (yes, us, including us.) write “how-to guides” for the sake of filling up our webspace. We’re busy enough to do other stuff, but if we don’t update our site periodically, our site ranking plummets.
That’s the fact. And that’s why…
Really, Google is supposed to be providing “useful information” to users but the reality is far from it. Fake guides full of wrong information can be found at top of the Google search because the site is well-optimized or the domain authority level is high.
One dog lover’s website told me that grapes are safe for dogs and it nearly killed my dog. Another site told me to take some exceeded dose of amino acid supplements every day, which nearly killed me too.
Did You Know?
- Video Content Preference: 60% of users prefer watching a video about a topic over reading a how-to post.
- Learning Preferences: 40% of learners state they benefit more from interactive or multimedia content than from text-based guides.
- Content Saturation: 50% of content marketers say the biggest challenge they face is creating content that stands out.
- Influence on Purchases: Instructional content influences purchasing decisions in 62% of readers, but mixed-format content influences 82%.
- Interactive Content Engagement: Interactive content, such as quizzes or interactive infographics, has a 30% higher engagement rate than traditional how-to guides.
How To Find a Genuine and Comprehensive How-To Guide
So here are some of the ways to find some genuinely helpful guides online.
Check YouTube, Not Blog Articles
The best way, really, is to check YouTube. Instead of looking for a guide article, head over to YouTube and search for videos on the topic you're looking for.
Make sure a real person appears in the video, and not just a slideshow with background music. Not only will this give you a good idea of the quality of the video, but it will also give you a sense of the person's personality and how well they explain the subject.
Check the Author's Credentials
If you really need a guide in text format, check who’s written by. If the author is an expert in the field, they must have written a helpful and accurate guide as if their life depends on it.
See if the author has written any other articles or books on the same topic or similar topics.
See If It’s Comprehensive
See if a guide is written in plain language with enough bullet points and images. Scroll through, and if there is paragraph after paragraph, it’s not the one you’re looking for. You shouldn’t have to make an effort to understand it. Avoid guides that are overly technical or full of jargon - unless you're specifically looking for a guide that's geared towards experts.
Look For Feedback
This is a bit of a fuss, but you can check what others say about the author - positive or negative. Just useful extra steps to take when you want to believe a particular guide and want to double check it’s written authentically, no brainer. Make sure that the feedback/reviews are genuine too, not written by insiders.
Avoid “Do The Right Thing” Articles
Low-quality guide articles are full of sentences that tell you to “do the right thing”, which is often common sense, but they don’t tell you how or what steps to take. For example;
“Drive, fly, or take a train - It’s important to find the right travel method to avoid wasting time and money”
Yes, I know that. We all know that. How do I find the right travel method? Which site should I visit? I’m reading your guide article because I want to do the right thing, and all you’re telling me is to do the right thing!
Final Words
We keep adding how-to guides to our site tirelessly and meaninglessly. Don’t believe everything you read. How-to guides are full of old shit. If you're looking for a definitive guide on a certain topic, be sure to research first (=do the right thing lol). Don't believe everything you read.
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Thank you for the insights, it’s very thoughtful. I think there are certainly many helpful and informative how-to guides available, but it’s true that some bloggers and content creators rely too heavily on the same format, perhaps at the expense of more in-depth and original content.
Most of the well known how-to guides can be incredibly helpful for people who are seeking information and guidance on a particular topic. I try to branch out and look for other types of content, such as opinion pieces, news articles, or interviews with experts in your field of interest.
Have you looked at this site? I think this site gives you a list of good how-to guides so it will help you to avoid feeling overwhelmed. It should be mindful of your browsing habits and seek out a variety of different types of content that can help you deepen your understanding of a particular subject.
Thanks for the link to your site Charlene, but we can’t display it and you know the reason. Thanks for sharing your thoughts anyway. We appreciate it!