Why Looks Matter: A Guide to Mastering The HackerNoon Editor 3.0

Who doesn’t love eye candy? A well-presented article is always more enticing to read. In an era of shrinking attention spans, your article needs to be visually appealing to keep readers engaged. Content may be king, but presentation is undoubtedly the queen.
This is why having a strong title matters, why a carefully chosen feature image works in your favor, why formatting was graded in school, and why your article on HackerNoon might occasionally be rejected for “Bad Formatting”.
Fortunately, as a HackerNoon writer, you have a powerful ally: The HackerNoon
Editor 3.0!

Eager to share your opinion on an interesting video or article you just found? Fantastic—but do it the right way! Let us guide you through the process, or...

To unlock the full potential of the HackerNoon editor, start a new draft.
Have a great idea and title in mind? Perfect. From here on, your best friend is the forward slash—type “/” to explore the drop-down options. Let’s dive into some of the most essential and frequently used options to enhance your blog post’s readability!

1. Headings, Headings, Headings
Headings are excellent tools for structuring your article and organizing your points effectively. There are two types of headings to use:
- H2 (Medium Heading): Ideal for main arguments.
- H3 (Small Heading): Perfect for supporting points or expanding on your main arguments.
Using headings and proper spacing can significantly enhance your article’s readability. Check out this example for reference!

2. Add Some Spice With Images
Sometimes, images can speak louder than words. Incorporating media into your content can effectively support your points, serving as both illustrations and examples! Check out our article on Images Usage Guidelines here.

3. Share Your Codes </>
If you’re a developer or coding enthusiast, showcase your projects by sharing them as articles on HackerNoon. Use the Code Block feature in Editor 3.0 to highlight your work. Read this article for a reference on code sharing on HackerNoon!

4. Links and Embeds
Ever come across an interesting news piece, video, or social media post? These seemingly random moments can inspire your next top story! Use link insertion to feature the main piece that inspired your article, and don’t forget to embed the URL—it makes all the difference!

5. Quotes For Attention
Quotes can be used for many purposes and different cases. Often, the Quote feature is used to cite a phrase or emphasize a specific sentence the author wants to highlight. Here’s how quotes appear in the HackerNoon Editor 3.0:

6. Important!!! Notice Boxes
When it comes to grabbing attention, Notice Boxes are on par with Quotes in effectiveness. Big, easy to spot, and color-coded, here is what you need to know about them:

More confident?

Gain more visibility, and build your brand credibility amongst the tech community with a Story Boost. As the name suggests, Story Boost is a feature designed to amplify your content by showcasing it on:
💚 The HackerNoon Homepage: Position your story as valuable and noteworthy while boosting your reputation as a thought leader.
💚 The HackerNoon Newsletter: Gain exposure to an engaged audience of 350,000+ tech and business enthusiasts.
Boost any of your published stories by clicking the “Boost this story” button above your title and completing the payment process. Alternatively, you can use the cart system to add a Story Boost to your cart. Read this guide for more details!

Until next time,
HackerNoon Team