Table of Contents vs. Table of Chaos

Refined, Not Reduced – Navigation Series, Part 3

Table of contents blocks are like station maps at a busy terminal: great when they work, frustrating when they don’t, and often ignored if they feel like too much.

If your site includes longform content, multi-part guides, or bundled services, a clear TOC isn’t optional, it’s an act of respect. You’re saying, “I know this is a lot. Here’s how to move through it.”

What a TOC Actually Does

It’s not just a list of links. A good TOC:

  • Shows structure before you need it
  • Gives nervous readers a foothold
  • Gently says, “Yes, you can skip ahead on purpose”

When It Breaks Down

Here’s where TOCs often go sideways:

  • Overloaded with links – Anything over 10 items should be collapsible or reconsidered
  • Unclear anchor text – “Section 3.2a” tells me nothing
  • Mismatch between TOC and layout – If you say “3 steps” but the page has 12 headings, visitors notice
  • Feels like homework – If it reads like a legal index, it’s not helping

How to Make It Useful

Try this instead:

  • Use short, descriptive section names
  • Place the TOC high enough to catch attention but not block your intro
  • Only link to major anchors, not every sub-sub point
  • Style it differently than your main nav it’s not the same job

Think Like a Reader

Your TOC isn’t for people who are ready to read every word.
It’s for the ones who want to get their bearings before they decide where to dig in.

Try This Today

Pick one of your longest pages or blog posts and ask:

  1. Could someone scan this without scrolling?
  2. Would a new reader find the part that matters to them?
  3. Does the TOC help or just make things look longer?

Need a second set of eyes?
I help clients restructure longform content so it works for real people, not just search engines. That usually starts with a TOC that actually makes sense.

View Services and Book a Strategy Call »

Recommended Reading

Made to Stick – Chip & Dan Heath
An essential book for anyone who wants their ideas to land, whether you’re writing blog posts or building product pages.

Closing Thought

There’s no badge for making visitors scroll more than they need to.
Give them a smart map, and they might actually stick around long enough to read the story.


Coming Next:
Sidebars That Actually Help
(We’re done pretending they’re invisible.)

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