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# What
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A good knowledge base article is one that helps the reader solve a problem quickly, confidently, and without needing extra help. It should be clear, structured, and written from the user’s perspective, not from the internal product or team perspective.
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Below are the key elements that make a knowledge base article effective.
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## 1. Clear purpose and audience
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Before writing, define:
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- **Who** is this for? (customer, agent, admin, partner)
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- **What problem** does it solve?
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- **What outcome** should the reader achieve after following it?
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A good rule of thumb is:
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> *“If I read this article, can I answer ‘what should I do next?’ at every step?”*
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## 2. Descriptive title that matches user wording
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The title should match the language users would actually search for, not internal jargon.
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**Good examples:**
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- “How to connect WhatsApp to your workspace”
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- “Troubleshooting Instagram connection errors”
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- “How to build your first automation flow”
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**Avoid:**
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- “Channel integration v2”
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- “Internal setup guide”
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If users cannot guess what the article contains from the title, they are less likely to click it.
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## 3. Short overview at the top
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Start each knowledge base article with a short paragraph that explains:
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- When to use it
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- Any prerequisites
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Example:
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This gives context and reduces confusion.
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Good steps are:
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- Only contain **one action per step**
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- Include **what the user should see** after the step, if it’s important
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Example structure:
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2. Click **Connect WhatsApp**.
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3. Follow the on-screen instructions to sign in with your WhatsApp Business account.
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4. When the connection is successful, you’ll see the status **Connected**.
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Where possible, pair steps with **screenshots** or short GIFs.
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## 5.
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Most readers scan, they do not read every word. Use:
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Example:
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## 6. Include common errors and how to fix them
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Add a **“Troubleshooting”** or **“Common issues”** section at the end with:
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- Why it happens
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- How to resolve it
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Example:
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## 7. Keep tone simple, friendly, and consistent
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- Short sentences
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- Neutral, supportive tone
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- “You” and “we” rather than passive constructions
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## 8. Review, maintain, and retire
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- Review regularly after product changes
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- Update screenshots and steps when the UI changes
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- Remove or merge duplicated content
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- Mark deprecated features clearly
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When in doubt, a good knowledge base article should:
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- Be easy to scan
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- Be easy to follow
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- Solve the reader’s problem without needing a support ticket
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# 📘 1. What Makes an Excellent Knowledge Base Article
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## 4. Use a Support-Friendly Tone
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Tone should feel:
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- Friendly
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- Confident
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- Supportive
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**Good:** “Let’s walk through how to reset your password.”
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**Not so good:** “Resetting a password requires following the steps below.”
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---
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## 5. Test Before Publishing
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Ensure someone else:
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- Follows the steps
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- Tests the flow
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- Flags unclear phrasing
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Writers are often too close to see gaps.
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---
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## 6. Keep It Short — But Complete
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Balance:
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- **Minimalism** (no fluff)
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- **Completeness** (no missing steps)
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Provide just enough context for understanding.
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---
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## 7. Evolve With Product Changes
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Update articles when:
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- UI changes
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- Buttons are renamed
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- Policies shift
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- Processes change
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A KB is a living system.
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