For your blog and book launch, understanding the optimal reading level is critical for audience engagement. The research reveals a clear pattern: simpler writing dominates in both successful online content and popular news outlets.

Reading Levels at Popular News Sites

Major news organizations overwhelmingly target intermediate reading levels. According to analysis of US news sites, Google assigns the majority of content from all major news organizations to an intermediate reading level because this appeals to the widest audience. However, there are notable variations:adamsherk​

Most Basic Content:

• ABC News: 41% basic-level contentadamsherk​
• Boston.com: 29% basic-level contentadamsherk​
• CBS News: 28% basic-level contentadamsherk​

Most Advanced Content:

• Bloomberg Businessweek: 11% advanced-level contentadamsherk​
• The New York Times: 7% advanced-level contentadamsherk​
• Reuters: 7% advanced-level contentadamsherk​

Broadcast news outlets like ABC and CBS intentionally write at lower reading levels, while business-focused publications like Bloomberg Businessweek target more educated audiences. The Wall Street Journal operates at an 8th-grade reading level, while most local newspapers write at a 5th-grade level.blueoctopusllc.wordpress​

Optimal Reading Levels for Online Content

The consensus from content marketing experts is clear: aim for an 8th-grade reading level for most blogs and websites targeting general audiences. Here’s the breakdown:readable+2​

For General Consumer Audiences:

• Target: 8th-grade reading level (ages 13-14)nngroup+1​
• Flesch Reading Ease score: 60-70 rangevictorious​
• This translates to approximately 13-14 years of education neededtextinspector​

For Educated/Professional B2B Audiences:

• Target: 12th-grade reading levelnngroup​
• Still keep it several steps below the audience’s formal education levelnngroup​
• Example: Content targeting college graduates should stay around 12th-grade level, not college levelnngroup​

For Maximum Reach:

• Some experts recommend even lower: 5th-7th grade reading levels for marketing content achieve the broadest engagementaspiration+1​
• Research shows blogs written at lower grade reading levels typically get more attention than those written at higher levelsblueoctopusllc.wordpress​

Why Simpler Reading Levels Work Better Online

The data supports prioritizing accessibility:

1. Average Reader Capability: The average reading level in the US is 7th-8th grade (12-14 years old), according to the Literacy Project. In the UK, average reading age is 9 years old.elevenwriting​
2. User Attention Span: Online readers spend just 37 seconds on average reading a blog post. Complex content gets abandoned quickly.elevenwriting​
3. Renowned Writers Use Simple Language: Analysis of bestselling authors and respected writers shows they typically don’t exceed 9th-grade reading levels. Authors like Hemingway wrote at 4th-grade level, J.K. Rowling at pre-teen level, and Leo Tolstoy at 7th-grade level.shanesnow+1​
4. Commercial Success Correlates with Lower Reading Levels: Data shows that lower reading levels correlate with both commercial popularity and perceived writing quality.shanesnow​

Reading Level Formulas Used Online

The most common measurement is the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, which assigns a US grade level to text:readable+1​

Flesch-Kincaid Score	Reading Level	Grade
0-3	Basic	Kindergarten/Elementary
3-6	Basic	Elementary
6-9	Average	Middle School
9-12	Average	High School
12-15	Advanced	College
15-18	Advanced	Post-grad

The Flesch Reading Ease score (0-100) is also widely used, with scores of 60-70 considered ideal for online content. Higher scores mean easier reading.victorious​

Recommendations for Your Blog and Book

For Your Blog:

• Target 8th-grade reading level (Flesch-Kincaid 8.0)lanternco​
• Use short sentences (one comma maximum)boom-online+1​
• Choose simple, everyday vocabulary instead of technical termswordtune​
• Write in active voicewordtune​
• Break up paragraphs and add visual elements like headers and listsboom-online​

For Your Book:
While books typically allow for slightly more complexity than blogs, the same principles apply. Most successful nonfiction books hover around 8-9th grade reading level. Your audience will appreciate clarity over complexity, and you’ll reach more readers if you avoid unnecessarily dense prose.shanesnow​

Key Distinction: Books allow for deeper exploration of complex ideas with more supporting material, while blogs need to deliver information quickly and accessibly. However, both benefit from clear, straightforward language.scotthyoung​

Testing Your Content

Free tools like Hemingway App, Count Wordsworth, and Readable.com can calculate your readability score. Microsoft Word and Google Docs also have built-in readability statistics. Check your Flesch-Kincaid grade level to ensure you’re in the 8-9 range for general audiences, or adjust based on your specific audience expertise.universityaffairs+1​

The bottom line: simpler writing isn’t dumbing down your content—it’s respecting your readers’ time and making your ideas accessible to the widest possible audience.

1. https://www.adamsherk.com/publishing/news-sites-google-reading-level/
2. https://blueoctopusllc.wordpress.com/2019/04/09/blogs-written-at-a-5th-grade-reading-level-are-better/
3. https://readable.com/readability/flesch-reading-ease-flesch-kincaid-grade-level/
4. https://www.nngroup.com/articles/legibility-readability-comprehension/
5. https://lanternco.com/creative-blogging-ideas-for-business/blog-reading-level/
6. https://victorious.com/blog/flesch-kincaid-readability/
7. https://textinspector.com/flesch-kincaid-grade-level-a-key-tool-for-english-educators/
8. https://blog.aspiration.marketing/en/is-your-content-easy-to-read-what-level-should-it-be
9. https://www.elevenwriting.com/blog/is-your-blogs-reading-level-disconnecting-your-audience
10. https://shanesnow.com/research/data-reveals-what-reading-level-you-should-write-at
11. https://www.boom-online.co.uk/blog/content-readability/
12. https://www.wordtune.com/blog/increase-readability
13. https://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2014/01/16/blogs-vs-books/
14. https://universityaffairs.ca/career-advice/how-when-and-why-to-use-readability-formulas-to-improve-your-academic-writing/
15. https://www.cision.com/resources/articles/news-sites-for-kids-teens/
16. https://help.siteimprove.com/support/solutions/articles/80000448325-readability-tests
17. https://litinfocus.com/7-free-current-events-websites-for-students/
18. https://www.acquia.com/blog/content-readability
19. https://infoguides.rit.edu/ESL/mags
20. https://expresswriters.com/successful-web-content-reading-levels-aim/
21. https://www.stellarcontent.com/blog/content-marketing/content-reading-level/
22. https://contentwriters.com/blog/flesch-reading-ease-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters/
23. https://waywithwords.net/resource/captions-viewer-retention-strategies/
24. https://www.renaissance.com/2019/04/04/blog-nonfiction-what-kids-are-reading/
25. https://az01001175.schoolwires.net/cms/lib/AZ01001175/Centricity/Domain/1412/top%20100%20nonfiction%20books%20by%20atos%20level.pdf
26. https://www.reddit.com/r/content_marketing/comments/1n816o8/mastering_audience_retention_for_youtube_creators/