Pillar content, cornerstone content, and flagship content, have many things in common. I’ll start by listing the traits they share then talk about some things that make each type of content unique.
What they have in common
Strategic Content: All three types of content are essential parts of your website’s content plan, designed to enhance a website’s overall performance.
High Quality: All content should be well-researched, well-written, and of high quality. This provides value to your audience and establishes your authority.
Comprehensive: Each type of content aims to offer comprehensive coverage of a specific topic or theme within your website’s niche.
Longevity: All three types of content are typically designed to be evergreen, meaning they remain relevant and valuable over an extended period, as opposed to time-sensitive content.
Internal Linking: Pillar, cornerstone, and flagship content often serve as central hubs that link to more specific, related content on the website creating an organised content structure. This internal linking structure is a great way for you to make web pages rank for keywords that would normally be beyond your grasp.
Traits that are specific to each type of content.
Pillar Content:
Broad Overview: Pillar content provides a broad, high-level overview of a topic, acting as the foundation for more specific content (cluster content). Cornerstone content comes under pillar content.
Structured Hub: Pillar content serves as the central hub that connects to related cluster content such as cornerstone content category homepages, helping to organise the website’s content architecture.
SEO Hub: Pillar content is designed to improve the website’s search engine ranking by attracting organic traffic. Pillar content improves user experience by making the content hierarchy easier to understand and follow.
Cornerstone Content:
Foundational: Cornerstone content organises your posts into understandable categories, these categories address core topics that are central to your business.
Evergreen Focus: Its primary emphasis is on creating timeless, evergreen content that remains relevant over time.
Demonstrates Expertise: Cornerstone content showcases the your expertise in the industry and positions you as an authority.
Flagship Content:
Comprehensive Resource: Flagship content is often the most comprehensive, in-depth, and valuable piece of content on a website, offering a deep exploration of a specific topic. Its the star of piece of content on your website.
Unique and Innovative: It aims to stand out by providing a unique and innovative perspective or solution to an important issue in the industry.
Competitive Edge: Flagship content sets the website apart from competitors by positioning the brand as a trusted expert and thought leader.
Helping Convert Customers: As well as attracting new visitors to your website it can guide them through the buyer’s journey and contribute to improved conversion rates.
In summary, while pillar content, cornerstone content, and flagship content share the common goals of offering high-quality, comprehensive, and evergreen content, each has a distinct role and focus within your website’s content strategy. Pillar content forms the foundation and helps with top level content organisation. Pillar content covers your whole broad topic. Cornerstone content posts or categories cover individual topics and showcase your expertise, while flagship content stands out by offering your unique take on one big issue that your clients care about.