How many capsules is too many?

1. 96

   Thomas Swanposted 10 years ago

   I'm making a list with 25 entries. Each entry needs a few lines to explain why it's there. Is it prudent to have 25 text capsules, or should I just embolden/bullet-point the subtitles and put the whole lot within a single text capsule?

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   1. 71

      Vlorsutesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Given that the reader isn't able to tell how many capsules you use for your hub, I don't think the amount you use is an issue as long as you're able to convey the information you're wanting to properly. Especially in the reviews I've been writing lately, I'll often break up the general topics into multiple capsules in case I want to have a picture or a video there to accompany that particular bit of info.
      
      For example, if I'm writing about the plot of a movie, and there's a picture of a particular event that I want to show, I'll end one capsule before I reach where I talk about that event, and then begin another capsule in addressing that picture. That way I can then insert the picture between the two capsules for visual aid.
      
      Since your hub is a list with 25 entries, should you happen to want pictures or videos with each entry, then having a capsule for each would almost certainly be easier. If you're wanting to just have the list, then you could likely get by with a single capsule.

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      1. 96

         Thomas Swanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, I had thought it better to split it up in order to place pictures and videos throughout the list. I raised the point because hubpages has said that the best performing hubs typically use around 5 text capsules and 5 image capsules. It made me think that there is an ideal amount, and too many or too few could be harmful. Thanks for your reply.

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   2. 87

      Simone Smithposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      My two cents: Utilize a new Text Capsule for each new item and give each one a descriptive, search-friendly subheading. Each one of those subheadings will:
      1. Make the Hub easier to skip around
      2. Make the Hub more likely to rank for those subheadings' keywords in search results
      

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      1. 96

         Thomas Swanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks Simone, I think that's what I'll do.

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      2. 59

         gags3480posted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Thx for the info. It will follow that now.

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      3. 87

         Marisa Wrightposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         My only concern might be that if each item is just a heading with one or two lines of text, Google might see it as too many "big" headings and not enough content, which could be seen as trying to game their system.
         
         So personally, I would put them all in one capsules and just bold the headings.

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         1. 96

            Thomas Swanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Good point. I think I'll be ok with my hub though. I made the headings short, just a name and a date, and made the "few lines" into paragraphs. Should be fine for me, but useful for others looking to follow these guidelines.

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2. 60

   yupperclubposted 10 years ago

   When I write, I basically start with 1 text...then it depends on if I want to design the hub differently...adding full width pictures of videos in between text.  If I decide to do that, then I add another text capsule to continue writing.  If I decide not to have full width pictures or videos or even ebay/amazon in between, I just use one text capsule and "heading" text to separate the words (into subsections).

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3. 91

   Greensleeves Hubsposted 10 years ago

   Whatever makes the hub visually most appealing and easiest to read is the way to go. I usually have lots of titled text capsules each covering different aspects of the subject of the hub, and where possible I'd separate them with photos or dividers. Bullet points can't be separated in the same way.
   
   I'd say bullet points are fine if the points are all related, but if they are not, or if the points run to more than one or two sentences, then I think separate capsules with titles are better.

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   1. 96

      Thomas Swanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Greensleeves and to those who replied. I have written the hub with 25 text capsules, each with a subtitle. I think it looks good this way, and I've interspersed with pics and a video.

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4. 57

   wrenfrost56posted 10 years ago

   Personally I don't think that you can have too many capsules, especially if it benefits the layout of your article and how you think it should look. I have a hub which is 50 ways to save money, which has 50 different capsules and I found that it was the best way to present my information. If you think that 25 capsules will do it then I think you should go with it. Plus you can always edit your hub at a later date if you don't think it works.

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5. 60

   yupperclubposted 10 years ago

   Good thinking, all.  I may unfollow this conversation.

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6. 60

   John-Roseposted 10 years ago

   Marisa does have a point, because your hub could get Google slapped for using too many headings.

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