The Human Readability Score: A Foundational Metric
The necessary prerequisite for achieving a high AI Credibility Score.
I. What is the Human Readability Score?
The Human Readability Score is the foundational User Experience (UX) metric for content. It quantifies how easy it is for the average person to read and comprehend text. This isn't just about grammar; it's about the cognitive load required to process your words.
A high score directly correlates with a better user experience, leading to lower bounce rates, increased time on page, and more effective communication. If a user struggles to understand your message, they are far more likely to leave and seek a simpler alternative.
II. The Core Calculation: Flesch Reading Ease
Our Human Readability Score is based on the Flesch Reading Ease formula, one of the oldest and most reliable readability tests. The formula uses two key variables: the average length of your sentences and the average number of syllables in your words.
Flesch Reading Ease Formula
Score = 206.835 - (1.015 × ASL) - (84.6 × ASW)
ASL (Average Sentence Length): The total number of words divided by the total number of sentences.
ASW (Average Syllables per Word): The total number of syllables divided by the total number of words.
III. Interpreting Your Score
The Flesch Reading Ease score is on a 100-point scale. A higher score means the text is easier to read. A lower score indicates greater difficulty. For web content, aiming for conversational clarity is key.
| Score | Difficulty | Equivalent Audience |
|---|---|---|
| 90-100 | Very Easy | 5th Grade |
| 60-70 | Plain English (Ideal for Web) | 8th to 9th Grade |
| 30-50 | Difficult | College Level |
| 0-30 | Very Difficult | Graduate Level (Academic) |
Your target for web content should be the 60–70 range. This ensures your message is accessible to the widest possible audience without sacrificing intelligence.
IV. How the AIA Matrix Uses This Score
The AIA Matrix treats the Human Readability Score as a critical baseline. The logic is simple: if your content is overly complex and difficult for a human to read, it is structurally inefficient for an AI to process, parse, and verify for accuracy.
Think of it as a prerequisite. An AI's goal is to find the most direct, clear, and citable answer to a user's query. Convoluted language, jargon, and long-winded sentences create ambiguity and processing overhead. Achieving a strong Human Readability Score is the first and most necessary step to achieving a high AI Credibility Score.