How to Detect Thin Content Pages That Still Get Impressions
To detect thin content pages that still get impressions, use Google Search Console’s Performance Report to identify low CTR pages with high impressions, then assess word count, topical depth, bounce rate, and user behavior for content quality signals.
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Key Takaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as thin content?
Use SEO crawlers like Screaming Frog or Semrush's site audit tool to locate low word count pages or pages with little to no organic traffic.
How do I find thin content in bulk?
Use SEO crawlers like Screaming Frog or Semrush's site audit tool to locate low word count pages or pages with little to no organic traffic.
Can a page with impressions still be considered poor-quality?
Yes. High impressions with low engagement (CTR, time on page) often indicate content doesn’t meet searcher expectations.
Should I delete or improve thin content?
If the page has SEO potential, improve it. If it's outdated or irrelevant, consider consolidating or removing it to strengthen overall site quality.
Does thin content hurt SEO rankings?
Yes. A large volume of thin pages can signal low-quality to Google's algorithm and impact overall domain authority and rankings.
Step by Step Plan
Check GSC for High-Impression, Low-CTR Pages
In Google Search Console, go to ‘Performance > Pages’ and sort by Impressions. Look for pages with thousands of impressions but sub-1% CTR. These are often thin or misaligned pages.
Evaluate On-Page Word Count & Relevance
Use tools like Screaming Frog or Surfer SEO to flag pages with very low word count (under 300 words) or duplicate content. Check if the page actually answers the search query.
Analyze Bounce Rate and Time on Page
In Google Analytics or GA4, identify pages with high bounce rates and short dwell times. These metrics signal user dissatisfaction and possible thin content.
Analyze Bounce Rate and Time on Page
Compare your thin content page with top-ranking competitors. Are you missing key subtopics, visuals, examples, or search intent alignment?
Use SEO Tools to Flag Thin Content
Tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, and Sitebulb can automatically flag thin content by scanning for short text, low traffic, and weak keyword targeting.
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