I never paid much attention to reading level until I started using Count My Words—it’s opened my eyes to how it shapes who gets your writing. The tool spits out a grade level based on sentence length and word complexity (Flesch-Kincaid style), and it’s a game-changer. Most folks read at a 7th-8th-grade level online, so if you’re hitting 12th grade, you’re losing people. I checked an old post—10th grade—and rewrote it to 7th. Shorter sentences, simpler words, same point. It’s like tuning a radio to the right frequency.
The result? Reading time stayed at 4 minutes, but it felt breezier, and that’s gold for SEO—Google loves accessible content. I’ve learned 15-word sentences are my sweet spot; anything over 20 feels like a slog. For blogs, aim low—6th to 8th grade keeps it broad. Test your next piece with a text analysis tool and tweak it. It’s not dumbing down; it’s meeting your audience where they’re at, and it’ll keep them reading longer!
Posted on February 13, 2025