Content item

Any digital content that is provided to audiences. Usually based on a content type.

Definition

A content item is any digital content that is provided to audiences. If the content is part of GOV.UK or Great.gov.uk – and therefore maintained through a content management system – it is based on a content type, which provides the structural framework for the content item. A content item is therefore an instance of a content type.

Where a content type is not defined, for example inside a service where the content item is hard-coded into the source code, we can still consider the content item to be an instance of a content type – but one that is yet to be defined.

Good content allows people to find out what they need to know, or do something, quickly. Good content is based on data and evidence, has a clear purpose and complies with GOV.UK style and standards. Where content does not meet this criteria, we consider it to be content debt.

Synonyms

Content; Piece of content.

Source

• GOV.UK content design manual
• Kontent.ai glossary entry on content item

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