What it is

A listing and analysis of all the content on an existing website (including pages, files, videos, audio or other data) that your users might reasonably encounter.

Reasons to use it

To identify content that needs to be revised in new versions of a website. Content audits can also help you identify who is responsible for content, how often it should be updated, and what role a particular piece of content plays for users.

Time required

Medium: 3-8 hours

How to do it

1. Start with an inventory. Navigate through the site from the home page and note the following about every piece of content. (For repeated items like blog posts, consider capturing just a sample.)

   • Title used in the site’s navigation for that page
   • Title displayed on the page or item itself
   • URL
   • Parent page

2. Identify the main entry points for the user need you’re addressing. This could be external marketing, the homepage, a microsite, or another page. (If you're auditing a full website instead of specific needs, you may be able to skip this step and step 3.)

3. From each entry point, trace the tasks a user moves through until they address their need.

4. For every piece of content they might come across on that task flow, note:

   • Author(s): who wrote or created the page
   • Content owner(s): who ensures its credibility
   • Updated date
   • Update frequency
   • Comments: qualitative assessment of what to change

Applied in government research

No PRA implications. No information is collected from members of the public.

Additional resources

• “How to Conduct a Content Audit.” UX Mastery.
• “Auditing Big Sites Doesn’t Have to Be Taxing.” Christine Anameier.