# Interview (pending) Platform: All platforms | Type: Exclusive Interview > **Where this format overrides General Guidelines:** The headline formula is locked to `[Celebrity Name] on [Topic]: '[Quote]' (EXCLUSIVE)`—a specific pattern that includes a direct quote and an exclusivity label in the H1, which go beyond the open principles in §1.2. Placing `(EXCLUSIVE)` in the H1 extends the General Guidelines §1.2 SEO title practice to the headline itself. The focus keyphrase structure departs from General Guidelines' `[Person/Topic] [Does/Is] [Thing]` format. This format introduces requirements with no brand-level equivalent: a word count range (500–1,500 words), a choice of Q&A or narrative article structure, and editorial guidance on what to surface from the conversation. Text in **red** throughout this page marks anything that overrides or goes beyond the General Guidelines. --- ### Purpose An Interview article delivers exclusive, first-person access to a celebrity or public figure that cannot be found anywhere else. Its value is in its uniqueness—the content, quotes, and revelations belong to the outlet and enhance its authority and reputation. The primary SEO goal is to rank for `[Celebrity Name] interview` and related topic keyphrases. These pieces may be written in Q&A format or as a narrative that weaves quotes into context. --- ### Headline (H1) **(REQUIRED)** **Required formula:** `[Celebrity Name] on [Topic]: '[Quote]' (EXCLUSIVE)` - Celebrity name must be front-loaded - The quote must be pulled from the interview and wrapped in single quotation marks - `(EXCLUSIVE)` must appear at the end of the H1—this signals to readers and search engines that the content is original to the outlet. Note: General Guidelines §1.2 now treats `(Exclusive)` or `(Excl)` in the SEO title as optional; this format still requires it in the H1 - Character count: 80–100 characters - Casing varies by publishing destination—adjust per site style guide before publishing > **Optimize before publishing.** Articles are indexed almost immediately after publishing. Get the H1 and SEO title right before hitting publish. --- ### SEO Title **(REQUIRED)** - Character count: 50–70 characters—titles under 60 risk missing keywords and clarity; titles over 70 are truncated in search results - Must contain the focus keyphrase - Must front-load keywords—the first 8 words carry the most weight - Must match the H1 in intent—similar but not identical - `(Excl)` is optional—include it if it fits within the character limit; if not, use "exclusively" or "exclusive" in the meta description instead --- ### Dek **(REQUIRED)** - Entered as a separate CMS field—do not place inside the article body - Must contain the focus keyphrase - Should tease the most interesting or newsworthy part of the conversation --- ### Meta Description **(REQUIRED)** - 100–155 characters (approximately 2 sentences) - Must contain the focus keyphrase and relevant proper nouns - Must not repeat the H1 or SEO title verbatim - Functions as a dek—entices clicks, does not merely summarize - A useful approach: pull a second compelling quote or reveal from the interview --- ### Focus Keyphrase **(REQUIRED)** | Type | Format | |---|---| | Primary | `"[Celebrity Name] interview"` | | Secondary (if applicable) | `"[Celebrity Name] [Topic]"` | - Must appear in: H1, SEO title, dek (CMS field), meta description - Should reflect how a real person would search for coverage of this celebrity or conversation - Use Google Trends data to validate keyword choices --- ### Tone **(REQUIRED)** Conversational and engaging, reflecting the tone of the interview itself. The reader should feel like they are in the room. Human, direct, and specific—never stiff or institutional. Let the subject's voice come through clearly. --- ### Word Count **(REQUIRED)** Target: 500–1,500 words. Word count is a target range, not a hard ceiling. A longer, more substantive conversation may warrant more depth—provided every word earns its place and the piece remains well-organized. --- ### Article Structure **(REQUIRED)** The following structure is mandatory for this format. General Guidelines do not prescribe article structure. Choose either Q&A or narrative style—both are permitted. **Option A—Q&A Format:** ``` [AI DISCLAIMER—CUE sites only] "This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI." [LEDE / INTRO] - Set context: who the subject is, what the interview covers, why it matters now - Tease the most newsworthy or surprising reveal - No throat-clearing openers [Q&A BODY] Q: [Question as asked or paraphrased] A: [Answer in subject's words—quote directly] Q: [Question] A: [Answer] [...continue for all key exchanges] [INTERNAL LINKS—embedded in intro and body copy] - 3–5 contextual internal links - Not to be confused with Related Links, which break up inline copy ``` **Option B—Narrative Style:** ``` [AI DISCLAIMER—CUE sites only] "This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI." [LEDE / INTRO] - Open with the most interesting or newsworthy moment from the conversation - Set context: who the subject is, what was discussed, why it matters now - No throat-clearing openers [NARRATIVE BODY—H2 sections covering different aspects of the conversation] - Weave direct quotes into context and prose - Use H2 subheadings to organize by topic or theme - Highlight the most surprising, revealing, or newsworthy exchanges - Do not paraphrase when a direct quote is stronger [INTERNAL LINKS—embedded throughout body copy] - 3–5 contextual internal links - Not to be confused with Related Links, which break up inline copy ``` --- ### Formatting Rules **(REQUIRED)** - Surface the most interesting and newsworthy parts of the conversation—do not bury the lead - Direct quotes must be presented accurately—do not alter the meaning of a quote when editing for length or clarity - Keep paragraphs short for mobile readability - Bullet points permitted for lists within body copy—not as a substitute for prose - In Q&A format: the interviewer's questions should be clearly labeled (e.g., bold or prefixed with **Q:**) --- ### Internal Links **(REQUIRED)** 3–5 contextual internal links per article. See General Guidelines §1.4 for full anchor text rules. Link to: - The celebrity's tag page on the site - Pages for any projects they discuss (films, shows, albums, books, etc.) - Previously published articles about events or topics mentioned in the interview **UsW:** 3 minimum, 5 maximum. Do not confuse with Related Links—Related Links are used to break up inline copy and are counted separately. --- ### Hero Image **(REQUIRED)** General Guidelines do not specify image requirements. The following specs are mandatory for this format. | Spec | Requirement | |---|---| | Minimum width | 1200px (1600px+ preferred) | | Aspect ratio | 16:9 | | Resolution | 300K+ pixels | | Subject | The interview subject—must clearly feature the person being interviewed | | Logos | NOT permitted | | Text overlays | NOT permitted | | Generic stock | NOT permitted | --- ### URL Structure **(REQUIRED)** General Guidelines do not prescribe URL patterns. The following is mandatory for this format. - 4+ keywords, front-loaded with the celebrity's name and topic - Strip stop words - Keep short and descriptive - Pattern: `[celebrity-name]-[topic-keywords]` or `[celebrity-name]-[topic-keywords]-exclusive` --- ### Tags **(REQUIRED)** General Guidelines do not specify tags. The following are mandatory for this format. - `TH-CSA` - `The Commons` - *(Tags subject to change—check for updates)* --- ### What to Avoid | Prohibited | Reason | |---|---| | Omitting `(EXCLUSIVE)` from the H1 | Format requirement—signals original content to readers and search engines | | Altering a quote in a way that changes its meaning | Editorial integrity—quotes must accurately represent what the subject said | | Burying the most newsworthy reveal deep in the article | Format guidance—lead with the most interesting or surprising part of the conversation | | Celebrity name not front-loaded in the headline | Format requirement—the subject's name must open the headline | | NSFW in any metadata field | Suppresses article in feeds—see General Guidelines §1.3 | | Clickbait or misleading headlines | Helpful Content algorithm penalty risk—see General Guidelines §1.2 | | Generic stock images | Format image spec—hero must feature the interview subject | | Affiliate links (unlabeled) | Google penalty risk—see General Guidelines §1.4 | | "Click here" or "read more" as anchor text | Poor UX and SEO signal—see General Guidelines §1.4 | | Publishing without human review | Universal compliance rule—see General Guidelines §1.8 | --- ### Pre-Publish Checklist - AI disclaimer present at top of article (CUE sites only) and "Created With AI" checkbox checked in CUE - Named human byline—creator/first editor only, no staff byline - If updated article: byline and dateline handled per General Guidelines §1.5 - All quotes verified as accurate—no meaning altered in editing - All facts verified; all links point to reputable sources - Focus keyphrase in H1, SEO title, dek (CMS), and meta description - H1: 80–100 characters, `[Celebrity Name] on [Topic]: '[Quote]' (EXCLUSIVE)` formula, celebrity name front-loaded - SEO title: 50–70 characters (or slightly over to fit `(Excl)`), matches H1 intent, front-loaded keywords - Meta description: 100–155 characters, no repeated hed language - Dek entered as CMS field—not placed inside article body; teases most newsworthy reveal - Article structure chosen (Q&A or narrative) and applied consistently throughout - Most interesting/newsworthy parts surfaced early—lead not buried - In Q&A format: interviewer questions clearly labeled - 3–5 internal links—celebrity tag page, project pages, related articles (UsW: 3 min, 5 max); not confused with Related Links - Total word count is 500–1,500 words - Hero image: 1200px+ wide, 16:9, 300K+ res, features interview subject, no logos/text/stock - URL: `[celebrity-name]-[topic-keywords]` pattern, stop words stripped - Headline casing adjusted for publishing destination - Tags applied: `TH-CSA` and `The Commons` - Passes all Google Helpful Content standard questions (General Guidelines §1.7) - Human review and approval obtained before publishing