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Just like that classy button-down that’s been in your closet since 2016, some online content is just timeless. It focuses on topics that audiences always need to know about — like this 2018 article about cardiovascular disease in dogs that still appears at the top of search results. Or it could answer a common question, such as, “How do I replace my wiper blades?”
This type of content is called evergreen because — like a fir tree — it doesn’t fade away after a season. When done well, it can grow your authority and draw in long-term traffic. For instance, a blog post that you write today could keep ranking three years from now — or, with the occasional update, even longer.
Of course, not every piece will last forever. This guide covers evergreen content examples and why they matter for your content strategy.
What Is Evergreen Content?
Evergreen content is material that doesn’t go stale. It stays relevant over a long period and brings in consistent traffic long after its initial publication. You may need to make the occasional update — such as mentioning a new law or replacing a defunct statistic — but it doesn’t require much maintenance.
These content types cover timeless topics that are always in demand. For example, Compose.ly’s article "Why Is Content Marketing Important? Investing in Content for Business Growth" spotlights core benefits that never change. On the other hand, a guide to “10 Content Marketing Trends in 20XX” will lose relevance as soon as the next big fad rolls around.
Why Evergreen Content Matters for Long-Term Growth
Evergreen topics don’t always get as many immediate clicks as trendier ones. But here are a few reasons why you should invest in this content:
- Improve search engine optimization: Search engines match queries with content with relevant keywords. By using enduring search terms that people will always look up, such as “essential skiing gear,” you can attract a steady stream of organic traffic.
- Establish your expertise: Over time, evergreen articles and other content let you build a body of knowledge, showcasing your mastery of your industry.
- Earn backlinks: Timeless, in-depth content often gets cited by other creators, building your site's authority.
- Increase your return on investment: Like a speedy hare, time-sensitive content may take the early lead in a click battle, but traffic soon peters out. Meanwhile, slow-but-steady evergreen content keeps converting long after you create it.
Common Traits of Successful Evergreen Content
Evergreen content:
- Covers broad topics that never go out of style, such as the history of electric cars or how to sew a dress
- Isn’t tied to current events or trends
- Gets steady search interest
- Appeals to a wide audience
- Needs minimal maintenance and updates
8 Types of Evergreen Content for Long-Term Traffic
Many businesses create a mixture of trendy and timeless content. Here are a few evergreen topic examples to add to your content marketing strategy.
1. How-To Guides
A how-to guide offers step-by-step instructions for completing tasks or using products. These educational resources are consistently valuable because they teach readers how to solve common problems (“How to fix a cracked iPhone screen”) or gain new skills ("How to change a tire").
Aspiring content writers, for instance, may turn to Google to learn how to pitch articles to websites. Compose.ly anticipates their need with the practical guide: "How to Pitch (and Write for) the Swankiest Sites on the Web."
This piece guides users through the entire pitching process, from brainstorming great ideas to writing a “kill-proof” post. While specific publications come and go, this advice still applies years after it was published.
2. FAQs
Users don’t always want to dig through a novel-like blog for answers, especially when they have a pressing question. FAQs provide short, direct responses without any fluff. They’re easy to scale — just tack on more questions — and may appear in Google’s “People also ask” section, getting more eyes on your site.
Qualcomm’s AI FAQs, for example, shares beginner-friendly information about the technology and links to internal blog posts for readers who want more in-depth information.
3. Listicles
If you’ve ever spent hours scrolling through BuzzFeed listicles (guilty), you already know how addictive they can be. This is a great example of evergreen content because you can easily reuse the format — “10 Best Presentation Tools,” “10 Best AI Generators,” and so on. Plus, most lists only need occasional updates.
Take this informative listicle from Compose.ly: "7 Tips for Successful Competitor Keyword Research." It includes practical strategies for keyword research that readers can quickly skim and memorize.
4. Glossaries
Some industries have endless jargon and abbreviations that can leave even seasoned pros scratching their heads. Give prospective clients a hand by creating a mini dictionary. These definitions build your authority — after all, you clearly understand whatever letter soup you’re explaining — and can get consistent traffic from baffled searchers.
For example, J.P. Morgan’s glossary of investment terms has concise definitions for everything from “alpha” to “yield to maturity distribution.” It’s an excellent resource for anyone who’s dipping their toes in the stock market.
5. Tutorials
Like how-to guides, tutorials teach users about repeatable processes, such as cooking spaghetti Bolognese or setting up a robot vacuum. They’re a great addition to your evergreen content strategy because readers may bookmark them and return the next time they need guidance.
This delicious tutorial from Sally’s Baking covers everything you need to know about making bread. With its mouthwatering photos and detailed instructions, it's an invaluable resource for amateur bakers.
6. Case Studies
There are several types of case studies, but they all share inspiring stories about successful products or projects. This evergreen content often includes lessons learned and practical strategies to help your target audience accomplish their goals.
Compose.ly profiled a client success story here: "Case Study: Mailchimp." This article uses a clear narrative structure — conflict, process, results — and data to describe how Compose.ly’s content creation services helped Mailchimp publish top-ranking articles. Check out our case study writing service for help sharing your own success stories.
7. Best Practices and Checklists
Give your clients structured checklists and best practice guides that they can download and reuse for ongoing tasks. For example, you could create a checklist for writing evergreen blog posts or auditing financial records. Every time your audience uses these resources, they’ll think of you.
A stressful move, for instance, is much easier when you have Moving.com’s handy checklist to guide your packing.
8. Infographics and Visual Guides
Get more mileage out of your written content by adapting it into infographics and visual guides. These materials break down complex topics into easy-to-understand reference tools. Plus, you can share them on Instagram and other social media platforms to extend your reach.
This widely circulated chart from the World Economic Forum illustrates in-demand skills that are still relevant today and useful for tracking employment trends.
How To Repurpose and Refresh Evergreen Content
Coming up with evergreen content ideas is only half the battle. Even the most low-maintenance content will need the occasional care, just like an old tree.
Here are a few easy ways to keep your evergreen content up to date:
- Add internal links to more recent content.
- Refresh examples every year or two for maximum relevance. A Coca-Cola ad that demonstrates marketing trends from 2020, for instance, won’t feel as timely as one from this year.
- Update screenshots to keep up with website and software changes.
- Look for statistics from within the last two or three years.
Build a Sustainable Content Strategy With Evergreen Assets
Evergreen content has a longer lifespan, but it should never feel stagnant or boring. Update it, share it on social media, convert it into a video with an AI tool like Invideo — the opportunities are endless.
Of course, you’ll need to create the original before you can play with it. Or, hire an expert blog writer to put in the legwork for you. At Compose.ly, our team is ready to help you craft timeless content that ranks today, and tomorrow, and long after that. Get in touch today!
