Glossary
Lead Paragraph
The opening paragraph of an article that hooks readers and summarizes key information.
Definition
A lead paragraph (also called a lede or intro paragraph) is the opening section of a news article, blog post, essay, or report. It introduces the topic, establishes the stakes or hook, and — in news writing — often encapsulates the most important information. A strong lead draws readers in and compels them to continue reading.
Why It Matters
The lead paragraph determines whether readers continue reading or abandon the article. For search engines, the lead paragraph signals the core topic of the page — including the primary keyword naturally in the first 100 words is a standard on-page SEO recommendation.
Examples
Question lead'How long should your meta description actually be? The answer might surprise you.'
Bold claim lead'Most SEO advice about keyword density is wrong — and it's costing you rankings.'
Weak lead (avoid)'In today's digital world, content marketing is becoming increasingly important...' — vague, clichéd
Common Mistakes
Burying the main point in paragraph three or four.
Using throat-clearing openers ('In this article, we will discuss...').
Not including the primary keyword in the first 100–150 words.
Writing a lead that's too long.