18F

18F - Content Audit

A Content Audit is a thorough inventory and analysis of all content users encounter on a website or within a product. This exercise catalogs pages, documents, images, and videos. We evaluate each asset for quality, accuracy, relevance, and alignment with user needs. Teams assess content against criteria like readability, findability, brand voice, and accessibility. The audit reveals redundant content, outdated material, content gaps, and structural problems. Results include a prioritized action plan and governance recommendations. It's a baseline for measuring content strategy improvements.

Duration
4 hours
Group Size
2-5
Category
18F
Difficulty
Easy
Energy
Medium

Objectives

Identify content needing revision in new website versions. Determine content ownership. Define update frequency. Clarify each piece of content's role for users.

Outcomes


  • Completed content audit

  • Inventoried existing content

  • Foundation for content strategy

Step-by-Step Instructions


  1. Identify a specific user need or question.

  2. Create a content inventory:


  • Title in site navigation

  • Page title

  • URL

  • Parent page


  1. Identify main entry points for the user need.

  2. Trace pages and tasks a user moves through.

  3. For each content piece, note:


  • Author(s)

  • Content owner(s)

  • Last update

  • Comments/qualitative assessment

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Facilitator Tips

For large sites, focus on a critical section first. It's easy to get bogged down. Don't aim for perfection; actionable insights are key.

Additional Resources:

  • "Content plays: Audit your content — USDA"

  • "Content debt: What it is, where to find it, and how to prevent it in the first place — 18F Blog"

Pre-Work

For Facilitators

  • Review participant profiles and expectations
  • Prepare all materials and supplies
  • Test technology and room setup

For Participants

  • Complete pre-session survey
  • Review background materials
  • Prepare examples or case studies

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Materials Required


  • Content inventory

  • Spreadsheet software

  • Evaluation criteria

  • Analytics data

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Resources & Templates

Content Inventory and Auditing - NN/g
NN/g guide to content audits and inventory.
Product Content Audit Guide - UX Content Collective
How to run a product content audit.
UX Audit Complete Guide - UXtweak
Complete guide to UX audits with templates and checklist.
UX Audit Guide - UXCam
How to conduct a UX audit with steps, templates and checklist.

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