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Every blog post in theStacc has a blog type. The type tells the AI what shape the article should take: step-by-step instructions, a ranked list, a head-to-head comparison, and so on. Matching the type to what people are actually searching for is one of the biggest levers you have for ranking, because modern Google rewards articles whose structure fits the search. This page covers all 10 types, what each one produces, how the AI assigns a type for you, and how to change it when you want a different angle.

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The 10 blog types

theStacc writes 10 blog types:
  • How-To Guide - Step-by-step instructions for completing a task.
  • Listicle - A numbered list of items, tips, tools, or ideas.
  • Comparison - A head-to-head look at two or more options.
  • Ultimate Guide - Deep, comprehensive coverage of a broad topic.
  • Case Study - A real-world example with a problem, the action taken, and the results.
  • News & Trends - Timely coverage of what is changing in your industry.
  • Beginners Guide - A gentle, foundational introduction for someone new to the topic.
  • Product Review - An evaluation of a product or service.
  • Expert Roundup - A collection of perspectives on a single question or theme.
  • Problem Solution - A focused piece that names a pain point and lays out how to fix it.
You will see these exact names in the Blog Type dropdown on any blog and in the content calendar.

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What each type produces

The blog type changes how the AI structures the article. It also feeds the Search Intent Match part of your SEO score, which checks whether the finished article actually has the shape its type promises. For the full picture of how scoring works, see SEO Scoring Explained.

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How-To Guide

Produces step-by-step instructions with numbered section headings (“1. Do this”, “2. Do that”), practical tips, and bullet lists for sub-steps. Best for searches that begin with “how to” or describe a task someone wants to complete. For SEO scoring, a How-To Guide is expected to use four or more numbered step headings.

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Listicle

Produces a scannable, numbered list with each item as its own heading and quick takeaways in bold. Best for “top 5”, “best tools for”, or “X ideas” searches. For SEO scoring, a Listicle is expected to have five or more numbered list-item headings.

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Comparison

Produces an explicit “X vs Y” structure: a comparison table, or clear pros-and-cons sections, plus use cases for each option. Best for “X vs Y” and “X or Y” searches where the reader is choosing between options. For SEO scoring, a Comparison is expected to include a comparison table, several “vs” headings, or distinct pros/cons sections.

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Ultimate Guide

Produces broad, comprehensive coverage with many sections and in-depth subsections. Best for high-level topics where the reader wants one page that covers everything. For SEO scoring, an Ultimate Guide is expected to have six or more main sections and substantial length (1,500+ words).

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Case Study

Produces a problem-action-outcome arc backed by concrete numbers and metrics. Best for showcasing real results and building trust with prospects who are comparing providers. For SEO scoring, a Case Study is expected to include several specific data points alongside a clear problem-action-outcome structure. Produces timely coverage anchored to a recent time frame, supported by concrete figures. Best for industry updates, new regulations, and “what’s changing in [year]” topics. For SEO scoring, a News & Trends post is expected to reference a recent date and include concrete data points.

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Beginners Guide

Produces simple, jargon-light explanations, a step-by-step layout, foundational concepts, and an FAQ section at the end. Best for “what is” and “getting started with” searches from people new to the subject. For SEO scoring, a Beginners Guide is expected to include an FAQ section plus a simple, multi-section structure.

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Product Review

Produces an evaluation of a product or service. Best for “[product] review” and “is [product] worth it” searches. theStacc keeps its review writing within strict integrity rules: it never fabricates testimonials, customer quotes, star ratings, or any statement attributed to a named person. Credibility comes from describing concrete benefits and citing real sources, not invented praise.

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Expert Roundup

Produces a piece organized around multiple perspectives on a single question or theme. Best for “experts share” and “tips from the pros” angles. As with reviews, theStacc will not invent quotes or attribute statements to people who did not say them.

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Problem Solution

Produces a focused article that names a specific pain point and walks through the solution, with the benefits called out. It works best when the headings explicitly signal both the problem and the fix. Best for searches where someone is stuck and wants a way out. For SEO scoring, a Problem Solution post is expected to have both clear problem headings and clear solution headings. A note on length and quality: regardless of type, theStacc aims for comprehensive posts (generally 2,500-4,000 words) with proper heading hierarchy, internal and external links, and AI-generated images. The blog type shapes the structure; it does not lower the quality bar.

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How a blog type is set

There are two ways a blog gets its type.

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1. Auto-assigned by the AI during planning

When theStacc builds your content plan, it picks a type for each topic automatically. As the AI chooses each keyword and title, it also selects the content type that best fits that search, then stores it on the blog. So your calendar arrives already filled with a sensible mix of How-To Guides, Listicles, Comparisons, and the rest, without you doing anything. You do not need to set the type yourself for AI-planned content. It is chosen for you and you can override it any time.

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2. Chosen manually on the blog

You can change the type on any individual blog before it is generated. Two places let you do this:
  1. On the blog detail page. Open a blog from your calendar or list, find the Blog Type dropdown, pick a type, and save. The dropdown offers all the standard types.
  2. In the content plan / calendar editor. When you edit a planned blog, the Blog Type selector sits next to the keyword, so you can adjust the angle while you are reviewing the plan.
Changing the type is most useful while a blog is still in Scheduled (“to be generated”) status, so the new type shapes the article when it is written. If you change the type on a blog that has already been generated, regenerate it for the new structure to take effect. See Regenerating Content for how regeneration works.

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When to pick each type for your goal

Use this as a quick guide when you want to steer a topic in a specific direction:
  • How-To Guide - Your reader wants to do something. Pick this for task-shaped keywords (“how to …”).
  • Listicle - You want a scannable, shareable post. Pick this for “best”, “top”, and “ideas” keywords.
  • Comparison - Your reader is deciding between options. Pick this for “X vs Y” keywords and bottom-of-funnel buyers weighing alternatives.
  • Ultimate Guide - You want one authoritative page that owns a broad topic and earns internal links from your other posts. Pick this for cornerstone content.
  • Case Study - You want to prove results and move prospects closer to buying. Pick this when you have a real outcome worth describing.
  • News & Trends - You want to capture timely search interest. Pick this for industry changes, new rules, and yearly outlook pieces.
  • Beginners Guide - Your audience is new to the subject. Pick this for “what is” and “getting started” keywords where you need to win trust early.
  • Product Review - Your reader is evaluating a specific product or service. Pick this for “[product] review” keywords.
  • Expert Roundup - You want a post built around multiple viewpoints on one theme.
  • Problem Solution - Your reader is frustrated and stuck. Pick this when the keyword describes a pain point and you can lay out the fix directly.
A practical tip: keep variety across your calendar. A mix of types reads as a real, helpful blog and avoids ten near-identical articles competing with each other. The AI already spreads types out for you when it plans, so you usually only need to change a type when you have a specific goal for that one post.