Using /page for Long Articles: A Smart Strategy for Bloggers
Long-form content is great for SEO, reader engagement, and in-depth coverage of topics, but it can also present challenges—both for users scrolling through endless text and for website performance. That’s where the
/page feature comes in. If you’ve never used it before, you might be missing out on a powerful way to enhance your website’s structure and usability.What Is the /page Feature?
The /page feature allows long articles to be split into multiple pages instead of loading everything on a single page. This creates a paginated experience for users, making it easier to navigate through lengthy content while also improving site performance.
Why Use /page for Long Articles?
Here are a few key benefits:
Improves Readability & User Experience
Readers can digest information in smaller chunks without feeling overwhelmed.
It encourages visitors to engage with the content rather than skimming or leaving.
Boosts Website Performance
Long pages with heavy media (images, videos) can slow down loading speeds.
Pagination helps distribute the content across multiple pages, reducing the strain on the server.
SEO Advantages
Search engines can better index structured content, increasing the chances of ranking for different keywords.
Reduces bounce rates, as users are encouraged to click through to subsequent pages.
How to Implement /page on Your Blog
Most CMS platforms (like WordPress) support pagination for long articles. Here’s how you can implement it:
For WordPress Users:
If using the Classic Editor, insert
<!--nextpage-->in the HTML where you want the content to split.If using the Gutenberg Editor, you can add a “Page Break” block.
For Custom Websites:
Developers can manually create paginated links using PHP or JavaScript to break content into multiple sections.
Ensure that each page has proper canonical tags to avoid duplicate content issues.
Best Practices When Using /page
To maximize the effectiveness of article pagination, consider these best practices:
Ensure Clear Navigation: Use “Next” and “Previous” buttons or numbered pages for smooth transitions.
Keep Each Page Meaningful: Avoid splitting content arbitrarily. Each section should provide value on its own.
Monitor Analytics: Check user behavior to see if pagination is improving engagement or leading to drop-offs.
Optimize for Mobile: Ensure paginated content is easily accessible on smartphones and tablets.
Does the /page tag works in Blogger too?
No, the WordPress <!--nextpage--> tag does not work in Blogger. Blogger does not have a built-in pagination feature like WordPress for splitting posts into multiple pages. However, you can achieve a similar effect in Blogger by manually creating jump links or using the Read More feature.
Alternative Methods for Blogger:
Read More Feature (Jump Break)
- In Blogger's post editor, place your cursor where you want to break the post and click on the “Insert Jump Break” button (dashed line icon).
- This will add a "Read More" link on your homepage or post preview, leading readers to the full article.
- This feature only works once in a page. If you used the "Display until jump break" option in Blog Settings your jump break will be probably just after the title of your page. Use the manual pagination method (see next method) instead.
Manual Pagination with Links
- Split your article into multiple posts (e.g., "Part 1," "Part 2," etc.).
- At the end of each part, add a “Next” and “Previous” link manually. Examples:
<a href="URL-to-previous-page">« Previous Page</a>
<a href="URL-to-next-page">Next Page »</a> - TIP: Use ALT+0171 for the « and ALT+0187 for » instead of the < and > as it might confuse the HTML reader...
- If, by odd chance, those code give you gibberish, just Google, Bing or ChatGPT "correct ASCII coding for « and » in ... operating system" where ... is your computer's operating system (e.g. MAC or Linux) as it depends on you current operating system. The code should be fine for most Windows systems.
Using Labels for Multi-Page Posts
- Assign a unique label to all parts of a long article (e.g.,
long-article-series-1). - Then, link to that label’s page so users can navigate all related posts easily.
- Assign a unique label to all parts of a long article (e.g.,
Final Thoughts
The /page feature is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your blog’s user experience, improve site speed, and gain SEO benefits. If your blog contains long articles, consider implementing pagination to make your content more accessible and engaging.
Do you already use pagination on your blog? Share your experiences in the comments!
What’s your take? Let me know in the comments HERE! ALL COMMENTS ARE MODERATED. KEYWORDS: PAGINATION FOR LARGE ARTICLES
DUCK GROBBELAAR-SAMPSON
YOUR HOST
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