How to format an article
A well-formatted article is easier to read and more trustworthy. Text uses Markdown — simple marks that turn into headings, lists, and emphasis. It is easy: examples are below. On the left is the result; in the box is how to write it.
Headings
Put hashes at the start of a line. More hashes mean a smaller heading:
## Section
### Subsection
Bold and italic
Wrap text in asterisks:
**bold text**
*italic*
Lists
Bulleted list — a dash at the start of a line; numbered — a digit with a dot:
- first item
- second item
1. first step
2. second step
Links
Link text in square brackets, the address in parentheses:
[Read our rules](/guide)
Images
Like a link, but with a leading exclamation mark. Better to upload a photo with the “Upload” button — it gets a watermark automatically:
Quotes
A “greater than” sign at the start of a line:
> A thought you are quoting.
Tables
Separate columns with a vertical bar; the second row is dashes:
| Metric | Value |
|------------|--------|
| Population | 20M |
Divider
Three dashes on their own line make a horizontal rule between blocks:
---
Formatting tips
- One heading — one idea. Break text into sections with subheadings.
- Short paragraphs. 2–4 sentences read better than a wall of text.
- Check your facts and cite sources with links.
- Add a cover — articles with an image get read more often.
- Use the AI editor (paid) to improve style and grammar, and the preview to see the result before publishing.
Not sure about formatting? Just write the text as is — the AI editor will tidy it up. Questions? See the guide or write to support.