Atomic Content Structure

Atomic content structure refines your content into discrete chunks, giving users just what they need at the moment.

Details

Atomic content structure allows users to select the information they need without forcing them to sort through information they don't want. Information is reduced to the smallest chunk per page, while related pages are linked together.

Traditional Method

We build a web page called Prevent Identity Theft consisting of 3 sub-topics of identity theft:

  1. a definition of identity theft,
  2. ways it can happen, and
  3. how to protect yourself

Later, we build a page called What to Do When Your Identity Has Been Stolen.

Now we have two pages on the topic, but no page that is the definitive or landing page. So when users search for "identity theft" looking for a definition, it's unclear where to go.

Atomic Structure Method

In this model, we:

  • break down a topic into the main questions a user would ask and then give each topic an individual page
  • create topic landing pages that include a definition along with links to related pages

Users can easily find the atom of content they need. These atomic pages link back to the topic page, creating a molecule of interlinked content.

Advantages

  • When users search for "identity theft", they get results that answer each specific question:
    • What Is Identity Theft?
    • How Does Identity Theft Happen?
    • How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
    • What to Do When Your Identity Has Been Stolen.
  • Each page is tightly focused and brief (thus good for mobile users).
  • It is easier to determine through analytics what content is used more often.
  • The topic is future-proofed: pages can be added without having to reorganize.

Atomic structure allows users to quickly locate what they need at a particular moment.