The Article (Layout Builder) content type is the modern, flexible way to publish news, blog posts, and press releases on your YMCA website. It combines all news-related content into a single content type with drag-and-drop Layout Builder capabilities.
Machine name: article_lb
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</div>
When to Use Article (Layout Builder)
Use Article (LB) for:
- ✅ News articles - Organization announcements, community news, press coverage
- ✅ Blog posts - Staff stories, member spotlights, program highlights
- ✅ Press releases - Official statements, media announcements
- ✅ Timely content - Date-based content that needs publishing workflow
- ✅ Categorized content - Content that needs tags/categories for organization
###Do NOT Use Article (LB) for:
- ❌ Static pages - Use Landing Page (Layout Builder) instead
- ❌ Event listings - Use Event (Layout Builder) for date/time-specific events
- ❌ Program information - Use Program or Program Subcategory content types
Article Types Explained
Article (LB) includes three types to help you organize content:
Blog
Best for: Personal stories, staff perspectives, member journeys, program highlights
Example uses:
- “Meet Our New Aquatics Director”
- “5 Tips for Staying Active This Winter”
- “Member Spotlight: Sarah’s Weight Loss Journey”
Display: Typically shown on /blog
page or blog listing views
News
Best for: Organization announcements, community news, updates
Example uses:
- “New Youth Center Opens Next Month”
- “YMCA Breaks Ground on Expansion Project”
- “Summer Camp Registration Now Open”
Display: Typically shown on /news
page or news listing views
Press Release
Best for: Official statements, media announcements, formal communications
Example uses:
- “YMCA Announces Partnership with Local Schools”
- “YMCA Responds to Community Needs During Crisis”
- “Annual Report Shows Record Membership Growth”
Display: Typically shown on /press
page or press release archives
Pro Tip: The type you select determines where the article appears in Views-based listings. Choose the type that matches how you want to organize your site.
Creating an Article
Step 1: Add New Article
- Navigate to Admin > Content > Add Content
- Select Article (Layout Builder)
- You’ll see the Article creation form
Step 2: Fill in Required Fields
Title (Required)
The headline of your article. This appears at the top of the page and in listing views.
Best practices:
- Keep under 60-70 characters (Google truncates longer titles)
- Front-load important keywords
- Be specific and descriptive
- Use active voice
Examples:
- ✅ “Youth Soccer Program Adds Saturday Classes”
- ✅ “5 Benefits of Family Swim Lessons”
- ❌ “Program Update” (too vague)
- ❌ “The YMCA is excited to announce that we are expanding our youth soccer program with new Saturday classes starting in March” (too long)
Subtitle (Optional)
Additional context or supporting detail for the title.
Best practices:
- Use to add context without cluttering the title
- Keep to 1-2 short sentences
- Appears below title in article header
Example:
- Title: “New Childcare Center Opening”
- Subtitle: “State-of-the-art facility will serve 100 families starting September 1”
Type (Required)
Select Blog, News, or Press Release based on content purpose (see Article Types above).
Header Image (Required for most themes)
Featured image displayed at the top of the article and in listing views.
Best practices:
- Size: 1920x1080px recommended (16:9 aspect ratio)
- File size: Under 500KB (compress with TinyPNG or similar)
- Format: JPG or WebP for photos, PNG for graphics
- Alt text: Always include descriptive alt text for accessibility
- Content: High-quality, relevant image that reflects article topic
Image tips:
- Use real photos of your YMCA when possible (authentic > stock photos)
- Ensure faces are visible and in-focus for people-focused stories
- Avoid text-heavy images (text may not scale on mobile)
- Check image looks good when cropped to square (for some listing views)
Tags (Recommended)
Categories/topics for organizing and filtering articles.
Best practices:
- Number: Choose 1-3 relevant tags per article
- Consistency: Use existing tags when possible (avoid creating duplicates)
- Broad topics: Think categories, not keywords
- User-focused: Use terms your audience would search for
Example tag structure:
- Program areas: Youth Programs, Aquatics, Wellness, Childcare
- Content types: Member Stories, Staff Updates, Community News
- Seasonal: Summer Camp, Holiday Hours, Back to School
Common tag list (3-10 tags recommended):
- Youth Programs
- Aquatics
- Wellness & Fitness
- Childcare
- Community Impact
- Member Stories
- Healthy Living
Avoid: Over-tagging (10+ tags), one-off tags, jargon-heavy tags
Body (Required)
Main article content using the WYSIWYG editor.
Best practices:
- Paragraph length: 2-3 sentences per paragraph (easier to scan)
- Subheadings: Use H2 and H3 headings to break up long content
- Length: 300-800 words for most articles (longer for in-depth content)
- Links: Link to related programs, registration pages, other articles
- Lists: Use bulleted or numbered lists for scannable content
- Bold: Use sparingly to highlight key points
Structure template:
- Lead paragraph: Hook + key information (who, what, when, where, why)
- Body paragraphs: Details, quotes, context
- Call to action: What should readers do next?
Example structure:
[LEAD] The YMCA is launching a new Saturday morning youth soccer program starting March 15. The program will serve ages 5-12 and includes skill development, teamwork, and fun games.
[H2] Program Details
The eight-week program runs every Saturday from 9-10:30am at Miller Park. Sessions are divided by age group...
[H2] How to Register
Registration opens February 1. Visit our Activity Finder or call (555) 123-4567...
Locations (Optional)
Associate the article with specific Branch pages.
When to use:
- Article is specific to one branch location
- You want the article to appear on the Branch page’s “News” section
- Local community stories
Example: Article about “Westside YMCA Pool Renovation” should be tagged with Westside YMCA location.
Published Date (Required)
The date displayed on the article (defaults to today).
Best practices:
- Use actual publication date for news
- Can backdate for archival content
- Determines sorting order in listing views
- Visible to readers on article page
Step 3: Configure Layout (Optional)
After saving, click Layout tab to add Layout Builder sections and blocks.
Common Article layouts:
- Simple: Header image + body text only (default)
- Enhanced: Add Related Articles block at bottom
- Rich media: Embed videos, image galleries, testimonial blocks
- Call to action: Add Cards or Button blocks for program registration
→ See Layout Builder documentation
Step 4: Set SEO & Metadata (Recommended)
If your site has SEO modules enabled (Meta tags, Pathauto):
Meta title: Auto-generated from article title (usually fine)
Meta description: 150-160 characters summarizing article
URL alias: Auto-generated from title (e.g., /news/youth-soccer-program-adds-saturday-classes
)
Pro Tip: Write meta description in your own words - don’t just copy first sentence of article.
Step 5: Preview and Publish
- Click Save to create draft
- Click Preview to see how article looks
- Check mobile responsive display
- Verify all links work
- Check Published checkbox
- Click Save to publish live
Article Workflow Best Practices
Publishing Frequency
Recommended publishing schedule:
- Small YMCAs: 1-2 articles per month minimum
- Medium YMCAs: 2-3 articles per month (weekly is ideal)
- Large YMCAs: 3-4 articles per week for consistent engagement
Why consistency matters:
- Keeps website fresh and updated
- Improves SEO (search engines favor regularly updated sites)
- Engages members and community
- Provides shareable content for social media
Content Planning
Topic clusters approach:
- Identify 3-5 main topic areas (e.g., Youth Programs, Healthy Living, Community Impact)
- Create pillar content - Comprehensive overview pages for each topic
- Write supporting articles - Specific stories that link back to pillar pages
Example cluster:
- Pillar: “Youth Programs at Our YMCA” (Landing Page)
- Articles:
- “Why Youth Sports Build Character” (Blog)
- “New After-School Program Launches” (News)
- “Meet Our Youth Director” (Blog)
Editorial Calendar
Plan ahead with an editorial calendar:
- Schedule articles 2-4 weeks in advance
- Align with program registration dates
- Cover seasonal topics (summer camp, holiday hours)
- Include staff spotlights and member stories
- Balance news vs. blog vs. press releases
Monthly content mix (example):
- 2 news articles (announcements, updates)
- 1-2 blog posts (stories, tips, spotlights)
- 1 seasonal/timely piece
- 0-1 press releases (as needed)
Roles and Permissions
Common workflow:
- Content Editor - Creates draft articles
- Communications Manager - Reviews and edits
- Administrator - Approves and publishes
Drupal permissions:
- Content Editor: Create Article (Layout Builder), Edit own Article
- Communications Manager: Edit any Article (Layout Builder)
- Administrator: Delete any Article, Manage publishing
SEO Best Practices for Articles
Headline Optimization
- Length: 60-70 characters (Google’s display limit)
- Keywords: Include main keyword/topic near the beginning
- Clarity: Readers should know what article is about from headline
- Avoid: Clickbait, vague headlines, excessive punctuation
Meta Description
- Length: 150-160 characters for desktop, 120 for mobile
- Include: Primary keyword and call to action
- Purpose: Convince searchers to click your result
- Avoid: Duplicate descriptions (each article should be unique)
Image Optimization
- Alt text: Describe image content (helpful for screen readers and SEO)
- File names: Use descriptive names (
youth-soccer-team.jpg
notIMG_1234.jpg
) - Compression: Keep under 500KB without sacrificing quality
- Dimensions: 1920x1080px standard (optimized versions created automatically)
Internal Linking
- Link to related content: Other articles, program pages, registration
- Anchor text: Use descriptive link text (“youth soccer program” not “click here”)
- Quantity: 2-5 internal links per article is good
- Context: Links should add value and make sense in context
Structured Data (Advanced)
If your site has Schema.org structured data enabled, articles automatically include:
- Article headline
- Publication date
- Author information
- Featured image
- Organization details
This helps search engines display rich snippets (enhanced search results with images and metadata).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Mistake 1: Not Using Tags
Problem: Articles can’t be filtered or organized Solution: Always select 1-3 relevant tags
❌ Mistake 2: Missing Header Images
Problem: Articles look incomplete in listing views Solution: Always upload a header image before publishing
❌ Mistake 3: Walls of Text
Problem: Long paragraphs are hard to read, especially on mobile Solution: Keep paragraphs to 2-3 sentences, use subheadings
❌ Mistake 4: Vague Titles
Problem: “Program Update” doesn’t tell readers what the article is about Solution: Be specific: “Youth Soccer Program Adds Saturday Classes”
❌ Mistake 5: No Call to Action
Problem: Readers don’t know what to do next Solution: End with clear CTA (register, learn more, contact us)
❌ Mistake 6: Ignoring Mobile
Problem: Article looks great on desktop but broken on mobile Solution: Always preview on mobile before publishing
❌ Mistake 7: Publishing Without Review
Problem: Typos, broken links, missing information Solution: Use draft workflow, have second person review before publishing
Use Cases & Examples
Use Case 1: Member Spotlight Blog Post
Title: “Member Spotlight: How Sarah Lost 50 Pounds at the Y” Type: Blog Tags: Member Stories, Wellness & Fitness Header Image: Photo of Sarah (with permission) Body:
- Lead: Sarah’s transformation story
- Middle: Her routine, challenges, support from staff
- End: Call to action to join wellness programs
Layout additions:
- Related Articles block (link to other member stories)
- Cards block (link to wellness programs)
Use Case 2: Program Announcement News Article
Title: “Summer Day Camp Registration Opens March 1” Type: News Tags: Youth Programs, Summer Camp Header Image: Kids at camp from previous summer Body:
- Lead: Key dates and registration information
- Middle: Camp schedule, activities, pricing
- End: How to register
Layout additions:
- Button block (Register Now CTA)
- Accordion block (FAQs about camp)
Use Case 3: Press Release
Title: “YMCA Partners with School District for After-School Programs” Type: Press Release Tags: Community Impact, Youth Programs Header Image: Partnership signing photo Body:
- Lead: Partnership announcement, key details
- Middle: Program benefits, quotes from partners
- End: Contact information for media inquiries
Layout additions:
- Simple layout (press releases typically don’t need extra blocks)
Article vs. Landing Page: Which to Use?
Criteria | Use Article (LB) | Use Landing Page (LB) |
---|---|---|
Timely content | ✅ News, announcements, time-sensitive | ❌ Evergreen, static information |
Publishing date | ✅ Needs visible date | ❌ No date needed |
Organization | ✅ Needs tags/categories | ❌ Doesn’t need categorization |
Display | ✅ In news/blog listing views | ❌ Standalone page |
Lifespan | ✅ Temporary (archived after time) | ❌ Permanent (updated as needed) |
Examples | News, blog posts, press releases | About Us, program pages, static content |
Simple rule: If it’s news or has a date, use Article. If it’s evergreen, use Landing Page.
Quick Reference
Common Tasks
Task | Steps |
---|---|
Create article | Admin → Content → Add Content → Article (Layout Builder) |
Edit article | Content → Find article → Edit |
Change type | Edit → Change Type dropdown → Save |
Add to branch | Edit → Locations field → Select branch → Save |
Unpublish | Edit → Uncheck Published → Save |
Schedule publishing | Requires Scheduler module (ask admin) |
Field Summary
Field | Required | Purpose | Best Practice |
---|---|---|---|
Title | Yes | Article headline | 60-70 characters, descriptive |
Subtitle | No | Supporting detail | 1-2 sentences |
Type | Yes | Blog/News/Press Release | Choose based on content purpose |
Header Image | Recommended | Featured image | 1920x1080px, under 500KB |
Tags | Recommended | Categories | 1-3 tags, use existing when possible |
Body | Yes | Main content | 2-3 sentences per paragraph, use headings |
Locations | No | Associate with branch | Use for branch-specific news |
Published Date | Yes | Display date | Defaults to today, can backdate |
Tag Organization Tips
3-5 Core Categories (Broad):
- Youth Programs
- Aquatics
- Wellness & Fitness
- Childcare
- Community Impact
5-10 Subcategories (Specific):
- Member Stories
- Staff Updates
- Healthy Living Tips
- Program Announcements
- Facility Updates
Avoid:
- Too many tags (10+ creates decision paralysis)
- One-off tags (creates clutter)
- Duplicate tags with slightly different names
Troubleshooting
Header Image Not Displaying
Problem: Uploaded image doesn’t show on article page Solutions:
- Check image file size (should be under 10MB)
- Verify image uploaded successfully (check Media library)
- Clear cache (Admin → Configuration → Performance → Clear all caches)
- Check theme settings (some themes hide header images)
Article Not Appearing in News View
Problem: Published article doesn’t show on /news page Solutions:
- Verify Type is set to “News” (not Blog or Press Release)
- Check Published checkbox is checked
- Verify Published Date is not in future
- Clear cache
Can’t Edit Layout
Problem: Layout tab is missing or disabled Solutions:
- Ensure you have “Use Layout Builder” permission
- Check content type has Layout Builder enabled
- Save article first (must exist before editing layout)
Tags Not Showing
Problem: Tags appear in form but not on article page Solutions:
- Check theme displays tags (some themes hide tags)
- Verify Display settings (Admin → Structure → Content types → Article → Manage display)
- Tags may only display in listing views, not full article page
Related Resources
- Layout Builder Documentation - Customize article layouts
- Block Library - Add components to articles
- Text Editor Guide - Format article body content
- Taxonomy Guide - Manage tags and categories
- Content Types Library - Compare all content types
Need Help?
- YMCA Community Slack - #content-editors channel
- Monthly Community Calls - Ask questions live
- Troubleshooting Guide - Common solutions
- Quick Reference - Fast answers
Happy publishing! Articles are one of the best ways to keep your YMCA website fresh, engage your community, and showcase the great work you do. 📰