How to Create an Article Using the HubTool

What Is the HubTool?

The first steps to creating an article include choosing a title, URL, topic, and starting layout. Once those initial decisions are made, you will be deposited into an online writing interface known as the HubTool.

The HubTool, first and foremost, allows you to add and edit text, but it also allows you to add videos, photos, maps, polls, tables, and other elements to create an excellent article that meets your readers' needs.

We recommend breaking your work into multiple capsules. In most cases, each distinct section should be in a separate Text Capsule. You can then add other types of capsules (like Image, Video, or Table Capsules) in between. Text and Image Capsules are the most commonly used types, but other types of capsules may be useful as well. A Poll Capsule, for example, may be useful to gauge your audience's thoughts on an opinion you've shared in your article. Likewise, a Table Capsule may be useful for displaying numerical data or creating a timeline.

In this article, we'll go over the basics of creating an article using the HubTool and all of its features. We'll start by learning about titles, summaries, and author bios. Then, we'll go over how to add, edit, move, and hide capsules. Next, we'll get into the specific features of each type of capsule one at a time. Finally, we'll cover previewing, saving, and publishing articles.

Table of Contents

Feel free to skip ahead to any of the following sections if you are looking for information about a specific aspect of the HubTool.

HubTool Basics

• Adding a Title
• Adding an Article Summary
• Adding an Author Bio
• Updating Ad Settings
• Adding Capsules
• Reordering Capsules
• Editing Capsules
• Hiding Capsules

Regular Capsules and Their Features

• Text Capsules
• Photo Capsules
• Video Capsules
• Table Capsules
• Callout Capsules
• Map Capsules
• Code Capsules
• Amazon Capsules
• Poll Capsules
• Links Capsules
• Comments Capsules

Rating and Recipe Capsules and Their Features

• Rating Capsules
• Cook Time Capsules
• Ingredients Capsules
• Instructions Capsules
• Nutrition Capsules

Finishing Up

• Previewing, Saving, and Publishing an Article

Adding a Title

If you click on the title of your article, you can edit or change it. It's important to note, however, that you cannot change the URL of your article after it has been created. In other words, the first title you enter and save for a new article will be a part of that article's permanent URL. There is an option to edit the URL when creating the article (select "Edit" next to the permalink above the title, illustrated in the screenshot below).

You can change the title later, but you cannot change the article's URL after you've created the article. For more information on choosing a title that will help increase your traffic and earnings, visit our guide to the elements of a good title.

Adding an Article Summary

We strongly advise adding customized summaries to all of your articles. You can add a summary by clicking inside the summary text box below your title. Readers won't be able to see the summary on the article itself, but the summary may be displayed on search engines and shown on feeds, listings, and carousels on HubPages and its Network Sites like ToughNickel and Delishably.

Including a good summary is important because it can influence a reader's decision to click on your article from a search engine results page. Your summary should succinctly explain what your article is about.

Adding an Author Bio

Author Bios are a great way to showcase your expertise and passion for a subject to build credibility. The tool lets you display a short (60 to 140-character) bio about yourself on an article or group of articles. You can have up to 25 bios saved at a time (per account). A bio can appear on as many articles as you want, but each article can only have one bio.

We recognize that many authors write on a variety of topics. An About-the-Author Bio allows you to customize your bio to the topic of your article. For example, if you write about Mexican culture and have articles categorized in the Food, Travel, and Education topics, you can create one bio to display on these articles.

Similarly, if you write about DIY topics, you can have a bio about that. Or, if you write about DIY jewelry and DIY furniture, you can have two separate DIY bios. This feature is designed to be flexible, so you can use it in whatever way makes the most sense for you and your articles.

There are two ways to place a bio on an article: in the HubTool and on your "My Account" page. Instructions for both methods are outlined below.

How to Create a Bio in the HubTool

You will find a bio section in the HubTool just below your title and summary. Click "new" from the dropdown box to create a new bio, or add an existing bio if you have an existing one that works well with your new article.

How to Create a Bio in "My Account"

If you wish to add a bio to a group of articles all at once or to simply manage your collection of bios, you can do so in My Account > Articles > About the Author.

1. Click on the "Add Bio" button.
2. Enter your bio in the box at the top. It must be 140 characters or less.
3. To add articles to your Bio, click on the "Add" buttons next to each title. Use the search box to find specific articles.
4. Click "Save."

You can also manage your existing bios here. Click the "Edit "button to make changes or the "Delete" button to permanently remove a bio.

Characteristics of Effective Author Bios

Effective About-the-Author Bios demonstrate expertise and enthusiasm for the subject. A good bio is on topic. If the article is about shoes, the bio should demonstrate why the author is qualified to write about shoes. Here are two examples of successful bios:

• "Christy is a shoe enthusiast who owns 47 pairs. She loves keeping up with the latest styles and giving fashion advice."
• "Christy has worked as a fashion consultant and knows how to make any outfit or style work. She loves sharing her passion for clothes, shoes, and accessories with readers."

Updating Ad Settings

Click on the "Ads" tab to turn ads on or off. Remember that if you turn ads off, you won't be able to earn advertising income from your article. Some articles may have ads turned off automatically if they are do not meet Google's AdSense policies.

Adding Capsules

Capsules are the building blocks of your article. They are specific modules that you add, one by one, like lego blocks.

You can add multiple capsules of any type. As you click on each capsule, it will be added to the page, and it will appear in the "Organize Your Content" box.

You can also add capsules directly into the article itself by clicking the blue "Add" button that scrolls with your mouse pointer to the left of your capsules. This feature allows you to add capsules anywhere in your article, including between existing capsules.

Reordering Capsules

The "Organize Your Content" box to the right of your article is where you can arrange and reorder capsules if needed. Simply drag and drop the boxes around and they will be rearranged in the article. You can also reorder your capsules using the red arrows at the top of every capsule box.

Editing Capsules

You can edit your content at any time by clicking on the "Edit" button at the top of the capsule. You can also delete capsules by clicking on the white x.

Hiding Capsules

If you want to publish your article as-is, but certain sections are not ready yet, click the “Don’t display this capsule” box. You will be able to see the capsule while in edit mode, but it will not appear in your published piece.

When you are ready for the capsule to appear, simply uncheck the box. This option is helpful for authors who want to wait before making certain parts of an article public. It's also helpful for keeping track of outdated information by hiding it after the updated text has been added in a new capsule.

Text Capsules

Text Capsules are what you use to compose the written portion of your content. You may type directly in the Text Capsule or cut and paste from another text editor like Microsoft Word.

How to Add a Text Capsule to Your Article

1. Insert a Text Capsule into your article either by clicking the "Text Capsule" button in the "Add Content Capsules" section of the HubTool or by using the scrolling "Add" button that appears to the left of your article.
2. Click the "Edit" button at the top of the capsule.
3. Enter a header/H2 (optional).
4. Compose your text. If you have already written the content for this capsule in another application, such as Google Docs or Microsoft Word, simply cut and paste your written content into the capsule.
5. Edit your writing. The capsule offers several editing options, including the ability to check spelling, adjust formatting, and undo mistakes.
6. When you are finished editing, click the “Save” button.

Pro Tip: Don't Forget Headers!

Headers (H2s and H3s) are optional, and they aren't appropriate for every single capsule, but adding search-friendly headers (that is, capsule headers that reflect common terms people would type into search engines) to Text Capsules can go a long way toward making your articles more search-friendly.

We recommend that you make a point of breaking your articles into multiple Text Capsules and giving each one a search-friendly header. Using headers also makes your article easier to scan and more reader-friendly.

Convenient Text Capsule Features

The Text Capsule may seem like a very simple, straightforward tool, but it is packed with a surprisingly large number of useful features. Make sure you're getting the most out of everything this capsule has to offer! Below are some of the Text Capsule's most convenient features.

• Resizable edit area: After clicking "Edit" on a Text Capsule, you can click and drag the lower right corner of the edit box to re-size it to your liking.
• Word count: The number of words in your text will appear at the top of the edit dialog while you are editing a Text Capsule.
• Autosave and multiple drafts: The HubTool and Text Capsule have an autosave feature that will save your work periodically. You still need to click the "Save" button every time you finish working on a capsule, but this feature should help prevent loss of content due to technical issues or unplanned shutdowns.

The Autosave Feature

As long as you have a connection to the HubPages servers (as indicated by the green dot in the image above), the Text Capsule will automatically save every two minutes. The green/red indicator displays the current status of your connectivity to the site. Green indicates an active connection, and red indicates that the connection is broken (meaning unsaved changes may be lost).

Once your capsule has autosaved, you will see a link that says “recover draft" in the bottom left corner of the capsule. Every time a new draft is saved, it will list the time and date beside the "recover draft" link.

Once a Text Capsule has been open for two or more minutes, a "recover drafts" link should appear next to the dot in the lower left-hand corner.

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How to Use the Autosave Feature

1. Click the "recover draft" link.
2. Choose the draft you wish to restore from.
3. When you click on a draft choice, that draft will open under a tab entitled "View selected draft." You can click the "Use" button if you want to use this draft.
4. Scroll through the preview to check that the draft is the version you would like to use.
5. Click the "Use" button to restore.
6. If you are unsure which draft is the right one, you can always return to the "Select a draft to view or recover" tab to look at other drafts.
7. Click the "Cancel" button if you do not want to restore from any of the drafts. It will close the window. Don't worry, you can always change your mind and open the "recover draft" options again.

Photo Capsules

The Photo Capsule allows you to upload photos and other images to your article, either from your computer or from a URL on the web.

How to Add a Photo Capsule to Your Article

1. Insert a Photo Capsule into your article either by clicking the "Photo Capsule" button in the "Add Content Capsules" section of the HubTool or by using the scrolling "Add" button that appears to the left of your article.
2. Click the "Edit" button.
3. There are four options in the Photo Capsule: "Upload," "Import," "My Photos," and "In Article." To upload a picture from your computer, click "Upload" and choose up to 20 images to upload (we support GIF, JPG, and PNG file formats).
4. To select more than one photo at a time, hold down the ctrl key (or the Apple key on a Mac) while clicking on the files with your mouse.
5. Once you've selected all the images you'd like to upload, click the "Open" button.
6. Depending on the size of your photos, it might take a few minutes to upload them all. For each image, you will have the option to add a descriptive caption and source information. We recommend doing so.
7. If you want to load images from a web URL instead, return to step 3 and choose the "Import" button. Enter the URL for the image(s).
8. Remember, you should only upload or import images you have the legal right to use. If you violate another person's copyright, you may be held legally accountable. You can learn more about what images are legal to use and which ones aren't by visiting our guide to proper image use.
9. HubPages stores all of your photos for you. If you would like to use a photograph that you have already uploaded in the past, return to step 3 and choose the "My Photos" tab.
10. Pick the images you'd like to include.
11. If you wish to access a photo that is already in the article, return to step 3 and choose the "In Article" tab to find the photo you're looking for. (This option is typically used when you want to change separate Photo Capsules into a thumbnail gallery, which you can read more about below.)
12. To reorder your photos, simply drag and drop them while in edit mode.
13. Finally, click the "Save" button to save your images.

Image Display Options

When you have uploaded all of the images you want for this capsule (don't forget—you can use multiple image capsules, and each image can be in a separate capsule if you wish), it's time to choose how you want them to look. The default view shows single images as-is. If there are multiple images in the capsule, the default view will display them stacked on top of each other vertically.

You can also have your photographs displayed as a thumbnail gallery from this dropdown menu. If you choose this option, your first photo will appear normal, and the rest will appear as small previews that expand when clicked on. Using this feature is a good idea if you have a lot of photos in a single capsule.

Image Tips and Recommendations

• Only use original photos or images that you have the rights to display (e.g., images with an applicable Creative Commons license or images that are in the public domain).
• Never use watermarked or pixellated photos.
• Try to upload only clear, high-resolution photos. Only photos that are 700 px wide or wider will appear full-width in your live article.
• Give each of your photos descriptive captions. Images with descriptions are far more likely to show up in search engine results, which means your article may get more traffic.

Video Capsules

The Video Capsule allows you to embed online videos directly into your article. The Video Capsule supports videos from YouTube and Vimeo.

How to Add a Video Capsule to Your Article

1. Insert a Video Capsule into your article either by clicking the "Video Capsule" button in the "Add Content Capsules" section of the HubTool or by using the scrolling "Add" button that appears to the left of your article.
2. Click the "Edit" button.
3. Add a header (optional).
4. Insert the URL or embed code of a video into the video field. The best way to do this is by copying and pasting.
5. Click the "Preview Video" button. If the code is copied correctly, a preview of your video should appear below.
6. Click the "Save" button. Your video should now be viewable on your article.

How to Make a YouTube Video Start at a Specific Time

If you would like to start an embedded YouTube video at a specific timestamp, there are two ways to do it. Unfortunately, Vimeo does not support embedding videos with a timestamp.

1. When viewing the video on YouTube, pause the video at the exact time you would like it to start playing. Navigate to "Share," check the box for "Start at" time, and copy the link.
2. Add "&t=time" at the end of any YouTube URL, where time is in the format hours, minutes, and seconds. For example, to start a video at 1:45, add &t=1m45s.

Table Capsules

The Table Capsule allows you to share a great deal of information in a simple and convenient manner. Readers love tables because they can serve as handy reference guides.

Common Uses for Table Capsules

• Technical specs for electronics (weight, speed, memory, etc.)
• Timetables (great for travel articles)
• Price/feature comparisons (great for product and service reviews)
• Financial templates (budgets, cost estimates)
• Schedules (chores, workout schedules, etc.)
• Timelines and lists of events (events, dates, types, etc.)
• Comparisons of policy (political parties, businesses, etc.)

How to Add a Table Capsule to Your Article

1. Insert a Table Capsule into your article either by clicking the "Table Capsule" button in the "Add Content Capsules" section of the HubTool or by using the scrolling "Add" button that appears to the left of your article.
2. Click the "Edit" button.
3. Add a header (optional).
4. You can enter information into the table manually or import it from another location. If you wish to upload data from your computer, check the "My Computer" option, click "Choose file," and select any CSV (comma-separated values) file from your computer. If you are uploading a larger file, keep in mind that this may take some time. If your CSV file is located online rather than on your computer, select "The Web" and enter in the URL of your file, then click "load."
5. To insert, clear, or delete rows or columns, or to bold or unbold text, click on the small arrows in the gray boxes that are located to the left of each row and above each column. This will open a dropdown menu with those options.
6. When you are finished editing your table, you may wish to add a descriptive caption (optional but recommended).
7. Once all of your information is entered, formatted, and captioned, click "Save."

Callout Capsules

The Callout Capsule is a great way to highlight important pieces of textual information. It can be used for quick facts, short quotes, song lyrics, or other bits of text that should stand out.

There is a limit of 500 characters in the body of all Callout Capsules because the capsule is intended for showcasing a relatively short piece of text. There are three types of Callout Capsules: the Colorbox, the Classic, and the Quote.

Colorbox Callouts

The Colorbox style will center your text in a box with a grey background color. You can input a title, body text, or both (recommended).

Classic Callouts

The Classic style will left-align your text to the right of a vertical gray bar. You can input a title, body text, or both (recommended).

Quote Callouts

The Quote style allows you to draw attention to specific quotes you may want to emphasize. When highlighting quotes made by others, type the author's name into the "Quote Author" field. Unlike the Colorbox and Classic styles, the Quote style does not allow you to input a Callout title.

How to Add a Callout Capsule to Your Article

1. Insert a Callout Capsule into your article either by clicking the "Callout Capsule" button in the "Add Content Capsules" section of the HubTool or by using the scrolling "Add" button that appears to the left of your article.
2. Click the "Edit" button.
3. Add a header (optional but recommended). Headers are not displayed for the Quote Type.
4. Specify your callout type using the dropdown menu. Choose from the "Colorbox," "Classic," and "Quote" styles.
5. When you are finished, click the "Save" button.

Map Capsules

The Map Capsule allows you to embed interactive maps within your articles. With the Map Capsule, you have the option to display a road map, a satellite map, a terrain map, or a hybrid. Each map gives readers the option to view additional walking, biking, or driving directions. Depending on the location, readers may also have the ability to use Google Street View. Using the Map Capsule is as easy as using Google Maps. Additionally, you can add extra customized info to help readers.

The Map Capsule is a great way to help readers find a place they may want to visit. You can create a Map Capsule to outline your favorite hike or bar crawl, help readers locate hard-to-find spots, or show them around your favorite district of a city.

How to Add a Map Capsule to Your Article

1. Insert a Map Capsule into your article either by clicking the "Map Capsule" button in the "Add Content Capsules" section of the HubTool or by using the scrolling "Add" button that appears to the left of your article.
2. Give the capsule a header (optional).
3. Select the default map type using the dropdown menu. You can choose between "roadmap," "satellite," "terrain," or "hybrid."
4. Type the address or name of your location in the "Enter an address" text box, then click on the "search" button.
5. The address should pop up below in bold with hyperlinked text reading "Pin a marker" or "just go to this location." If your address does not appear, verify that it is correct and try again. If multiple locations show up, choose the correct one.
6. If you simply wish to display the general area of the address, click "just go to this location." If you wish to pin a marker at a specific point, ignore this step and continue to step 7.
7. If you wish to pin a marker, a window will pop up allowing you to name your location and give a short (150 characters max) description. You can also check and change the address. When you are finished, click "done." A pin will appear at the address you have entered, and an address bar will appear below the map.
8. To pin an additional location, repeat steps 4, 5, and 7. You may add up to 10 locations per Map Capsule.

Map Capsule Options for Readers

As a reader, there are many things you can do with the Map Capsule, including the following.

• Zoom in and out by using the zoom controls or double-clicking the mouse (to zoom in).
• Double click on location markers to read their descriptions.
• Change between map, satellite, and terrain in the upper left-hand corner of the map.
• Drag the yellow figure in the lower right corner to any location on the map to access Street View.
• Get directions by clicking on the "get directions" option in the address bar below the map.

Code Capsules

The Code Capsule displays code as text. It is intended to be used in articles about computer programming. If your article is about anything other than programming or web design, you probably don't need a Code Capsule.

Keep in mind that you have a limit of 30,000 characters, hence this capsule is intended more for samples than anything larger. Also note that the Code Capsule only displays code as text. Any HTML, javascript, Amazon, Adsense, or any other code included in a Code Capsule will not actually function on the article.

How to Add a Code Capsule to Your Article

1. Insert a Code Capsule into your article either by clicking the "Code Capsule" button in the "Add Content Capsules" section of the HubTool or by using the scrolling "Add" button that appears to the left of your article.
2. Click the "Edit" button.
3. Add a header (optional).
4. Specify your code type and desired display size using the dropdown menus. The Code Capsule supports a variety of formats, including PHP, HTML, SQL, Ruby, and Python.
5. If you would not like to include line numbers with the code you share, un-check the "Include line numbers" box.
6. Paste the code you wish to share into the text box. You may also compose directly in the Code Capsule, but it is not a source code editor or complier, so we don't recommend it. It's best to compose elsewhere then paste your finished code into the capsule.
7. When you are finished making changes, click the "Save" button.

Amazon Capsules

Amazon Capsules can be used to showcase an important product that might be helpful to your readers. For example, if you are writing a recipe article that requires a specialized tool that most readers are unlikely to own, you might consider including a Product Capsule so they can find it. Don't forget to explain why you recommend it!

Remember, you can also link to Amazon products directly in the text. Capsules can be a good way to highlight products you really want to stand out (if your article is a review for a specific product, for example), but most of the time, in-text links are recommended over Amazon Capsules. If you aren't certain which to use, go with a link.

How to Add an In-Text Link to an Amazon Product

1. Locate the product on Amazon.
2. Copy the URL of the product to your clipboard.
3. Return to your article draft in the HubTool.
4. Highlight the text you would like to link to.
5. Click the chain link button in text formatting section (it will say "Insert/Edit Link" when you hover over it with your mouse).
6. Paste the URL of the Amazon product in the URL field.
7. Click the "Save" button.

How to Add an Amazon Capsule to Your Article

1. Insert an Amazon Capsule into your article either by clicking the "Amazon Capsule" button in the "Add Content Capsules" section of the HubTool or by using the scrolling "Add" button that appears to the left of your article.
2. Click the "Edit" button.
3. Add a header (optional).
4. You have the option to enter a URL, an ASIN, or an ISBN for the product you want to add.
5. You may add your own description of the item in the "Description" field (optional but recommended). This gives you the chance to explain what you use the product for and why you recommend it specifically.

Poll Capsules

The Poll Capsule gives you the opportunity to ask questions and receive information from your audience.

How to Add a Poll Capsule to Your Article

1. Insert a Poll Capsule into your article either by clicking the "Poll Capsule" button in the "Add Content Capsules" section of the HubTool or by using the scrolling "Add" button that appears to the left of your article.
2. Click the "edit" button.
3. Enter your question into the "Question" field.
4. Add potential answers in the "Answer choices" fields.
5. To add more answers, click the "Add another answer choice" button, and another text bar will appear. You can also remove answers by clicking on the trashcan icons next to those answers. Each Poll Capsule must include at least two answer options.
6. When you are finished entering information, click the "Save" button.

Note: It is best not to put any text in the "Capsule Header" field. Polls don't need a separate header, since the text in the "Question" field already functions like one.

Link Capsules

Linking can be a great way to cite your sources or give your readers supplemental information. In most cases, in-text links are appropriate. What follows is an example of an in-text link. Clicking on the linked anchor text, "HubPages homepage" will take readers to the HubPages homepage. We recommend using this method for linking within the body of your article. For information about what sorts of links we do and don't allow on articles on our Network Sites, see the "Links" section of the HubPages Writing Style Guide.

In some cases, it makes more sense to use a Link Capsule. A Link Capsule is a capsule that allows you to add a bulleted list of titled links with short descriptions. These are usually used at the end of articles to list sources or compile related articles that may be of interest to the reader.

How to Add an In-Text Link to Your Article

1. Copy the URL of the website you would like to link to.
2. Use your mouse to highlight the appropriate anchor text within a Text Capsule.
3. Click the chain link symbol toward the top of the Text Capsule. When you hover over it with your mouse, it will say "Insert/Edit Link."
4. Paste your URL into the URL field and then click the "Save" button.
5. Save your Text Capsule, then click the link to be sure it works properly and leads where you intended.

How to Add a Link Capsule to Your Article

1. Insert a Link Capsule into your article either by clicking the "Link Capsule" button in the "Add Content Capsules" section of the HubTool or by using the scrolling "Add" button that appears to the left of your article.
2. Click the "Edit" button.
3. Add a header (optional).
4. Paste your URL into the URL field and click "Add Link."
5. A window will appear with the URL. You may now add a custom title and description for the link if you wish (recommended).
6. Click the "Test Link" button to make sure your link works. If the link does not work, a "Bad Link" warning will appear.
7. If your link works, click "done" when you are finished editing. You can always edit this link later. If you wish to delete a link, click the trashcan icon next to it.
8. If you wish to add more links to the same Link Capsule, repeat steps 4–7.

Comments Capsules

The Comments Capsule allows readers to share their comments and feedback on a particular article. It is automatically included at the bottom of each article. Clicking the "Edit" button allows you to view and change your comment settings.

If you do not wish to receive comments on an article, simply check both the "Comments must be approved before they appear" and "Only signed-in users may post comments" options. You can then choose not to check your comments (or to deny them all), and comments will never appear on your live article.

Comments Capsule Options

You have several options for allowing comments on your articles. Here's how to change them:

1. Click "Edit" on your Comments Capsule.
2. If you do not want comments to be visible before you approve them, check the first box. This is recommended because it means you can check for spam comments and delete them before your readers see them. However, you can also leave the box unchecked, and comments will appear in real-time as your readers leave them.
3. You may also choose to allow only signed-in HubPages users to comment on your article by checking the second box. This will disable comments by anonymous users. Only fellow HubPages members will be able to leave comments.
4. When you are finished making changes, click the "Save" button.
5. You can read and moderate your comments when you are on the live article, but you can also moderate comments by navigating to "My Acccount" thenvisiting your "Comments" page.

This is what a Single Person Rating Capsule looks like in the HubTool.

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Rating Capsules

The Rating Capsule is a special and unique capsule. It allows you to add star ratings to your articles that have the potential to show up in search results. The Rating Capsule is often used with recipe articles to allow readers to rate your recipe, but it can also be used by you, the author, to review products, services, and places.

Special Rules for the Rating Capsule

• The Rating Capsule may only be used once per article.
• The Rating Capsule may only be used to review products, services, places, and recipes.
• The Rating Capsule may only be used to rate a single product, service, place, or recipe. If your article reviews multiple products or services, lists multiple places, or includes multiple recipes, the Rating Capsule can not be used.
• The Rating Capsule may not be used for reviews of more abstract, opinion-based subjects like people, religions, politicians, and public figures. You could not, for example, use the Rating Capsule to rate Lady Gaga or gnostic philosophy.
• When used on a recipe, the Rating Capsule should be set to "Multiple Person Ratings" to allow your readers to rate your recipe.
• When used by you, the author, to rate a product, service, or place, the Rating Capsule should be set to "Single Person Ratings" so that your star rating cannot be changed by readers.

When to Use a Rating Capsule

• You are writing an article reviewing your favorite Nerf gun.
• You are asking readers to rate your recipe article about how to make your grandmother's Thanksgiving stuffing.
• You are writing an article reviewing your internet service provider.
• You are rating a book you are reviewing.

When to Use Single Person Ratings

Single Person Ratings enable readers to see your star rating. Use this option when you want your readers to know what you thought of a product, service, or place.

When to Use Audience Ratings

Audience Ratings allow visitors to give their own star rating to a product, service, or place. This is a great feature to use when you would like to show readers what many people think of the product/service/place you are reviewing or if you are curious to find out what others think.

When to Use Audience Recipe Ratings

By adding an Audience Recipe Ratings Capsule to your article, you give readers the chance to share their thoughts on your recipe. If your recipe is rated highly by many users, it may get a little boost in search engines.

How to Add a Rating Capsule to Your Article

1. Insert a Rating Capsule into your article by clicking the "Rating Capsule" button in the "Add Content Capsules" section of the HubTool.
2. Click the "Edit" button.
3. Add a header (optional).
4. Choose what type of Rating Capsule you wish to use. If your article is a recipe, you will choose "Audience Recipe Rating." If you are reviewing a product, service, or place, you can decide whether you would like to display your own rating or if you would like to crowdsource an audience rating. Choose your preferred option.
5. Enter the name of the product, service, place, or recipe to be rated.
6. If you have chosen the "Your Rating" option, click the number of stars you would like to give the product, service, or place (with 5 being the best and 1 being the worst).
7. Click the "Save" button.

Cook Time Capsules

The Cook Time Capsule allows you to easily display preparation time, cook time, and the amount of food your recipe will produce. Using this capsule can help your readers know what they are getting into before starting to prepare your recipe.

How to Add a Cook Time Capsule to Your Article

1. Insert a Cook Time Capsule into your article by clicking the "Cook Time Capsule" button in the "Add Content Capsules" section of the HubTool.
2. Click the "Edit" button.
3. Add the amount of time it takes to prepare your recipe, add the amount of time your recipe spends cooking (on the stove, in the oven, on the grill, etc.), and add the amount of food your recipe yields (e.g., 4 servings).
4. You do not need to add the "Ready in" time. The capsule will automatically add the prep time to the cook time to produce the total "Ready in" time.
5. Click the "Save" button.

Ingredients Capsules

The Ingredients Capsule makes it easy to share ingredients and measurements in an organized, search-friendly manner. You do not need to fill out every column for each ingredient, but we do recommend including as much information as possible.

If a recipe you are writing includes multiple sets of ingredients, use the third column to add qualifiers that explain which part of the recipe they are for. For example:

• 1 cup sugar, for the frosting
• 1/3 cup milk, for the frosting
• 1 cup flour, for the cake
• 1 stick butter, for the cake

How to Add an Ingredients Capsule to Your Article

1. Insert a Nutrition Capsule into your article by clicking the "Ingredients Capsule" button in the "Add Content Capsules" section of the HubTool.
2. Click the "Edit" button.
3. Add a header (optional).
4. Enter all of the ingredients needed for your recipe along with a measurement or amount for each ingredient and a qualifier (as mentioned above) if necessary.
5. When you are finished, click the "Save" button.

Note: an Ingredients Capsule will look just like a Text Capsule on your live article, but it contains special formatting that may give your recipe a little boost in search engines. Remember to only use the Ingredients Capsule if your article is a recipe.

Instructions Capsules

The Instructions Capsule enables you to share the steps of preparing a particular recipe in a simple, streamlined format. Use this type of capsule to enter simple, step-by-step instructions. You can go into greater detail and offer more tips and advice in a Text Capsule later.

How to Add an Instructions Capsule to Your Article

1. Insert an Instructions Capsule into your article by clicking the "Instructions Capsule" button in the "Add Content Capsules" section of the HubTool
2. Add a header (optional).
3. Add as many steps as you wish with the "Add another instruction" button.
4. When you're finished, click the "Save" button.

Note: An Instructions Capsule will look just like a Text Capsule on your live article, but it contains special formatting that may give your recipe a little boost in search engines. Remember to only use the Instructions Capsule if your article is a recipe.

Nutrition Capsules

If you know the nutritional information for your recipe, you can include it in your article using the Nutrition Capsule. Nutrition Capsules are totally optional, so if you don't know the nutritional information for your recipe, you don't need to worry about adding one.

How to Add a Nutrition Capsule to Your Article

1. Insert a Nutrition Capsule into your article by clicking the "Nutrition Capsule" button in the "Add Content Capsules" section of the HubTool.
2. Click the "Edit" button.
3. Add a header (optional).
4. Fill out the serving size amount and nutritional value for each of the fields. You may leave some of the fields blank or put 0 if your recipe doesn't contain all of the things listed.
5. Click the "Save" button.

How to Calculate Nutritional Information for Your Recipe

Check out MyFitnessPal's Recipe Nutrition Calculator. You can calculate the nutritional value of a recipe by totaling the number of calories in its component ingredients. You can also find the calories of various ingredients by going to a nutritional site such as Nutrition.gov, Calorie Count, NutritionData, and CalorieKing.

There are also several smartphone apps such as GoMeals, Livestrong's MyPlate Calorie Counter, Calorie Counter by FatSecret, Tap & Track, Calorie Counter Pro, and Absolute Fitness (many of which are free) that enable you to find the nutritional value of various foods and even create custom dishes that include the total nutritional value of their component ingredients.

When using these sites, we recommend adding up the calories of the component ingredients used in your recipe (e.g., 1 cup of flour + 1 cup of sugar + one cup of butter = total calories in your pound cake). Do not use the nutritional information provided for completed dishes, as they may include different ingredients than those used in your recipe.

Previewing, Saving, and Publishing Your Article

When you are finished composing your article, you have three options:

• Preview: This option allows you to see what the article will look like when it is published. (Previewing does not save the article). You can see what it will look like on a desktop computer and on mobile devices.
• Save Unpublished: This option allows you to save your article but does not publish it. You should use this button if you are finished for now and would like to save your work but are not ready to publish your article just yet.
• Publish: This option allows you to save your article and publish it for the world to see.

When you return to an article that you saved without publishing, the buttons change a little. This is what they will look like:

• Preview: Same as above.
• Publish Now: This option publishes the article for the first time.
• Done Editing: This option saves your article but does not publish it.

When you edit a previously published article, the buttons change yet again:

• Preview: Same as above.
• Unpublish Now: This option un-publishes your article so that no one but you can see it.
• Done Editing: This option republishes your article to reflect any updates or changes you have made while editing.