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The Localization Pyramid

Localizing your entire business can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? What content should be prioritized?
The Localization Pyramid is a strategy we use at Taia to help clients localize smarter — by focusing on impact, not just volume.

🧱 What Is the Localization Pyramid?​

It’s a framework for prioritizing content in layers, from high-impact, high-visibility content at the top to low-risk, long-tail content at the bottom.

The pyramid has 4 levels:

  1. Tier 1: Core Content
  2. Tier 2: Conversion Content
  3. Tier 3: Supportive Content
  4. Tier 4: Long-tail or Legacy Content

Each tier builds on the last — and improves efficiency over time through translation memory, glossaries, and editorial standards.

🔝 Tier 1 – Core Brand Content​

Examples:​

  • Homepage copy
  • Value proposition
  • Product names & descriptions
  • Brand messaging

Approach:​

  • Always use glossary
  • Prefer Enhanced or Ultimate human translation
  • Build your style guide here

🎯 Tier 2 – Conversion-Focused Content​

Examples:​

  • Landing pages
  • Email campaigns
  • In-app CTAs
  • Sales enablement docs

Approach:​

  • AI + post-editing if your tone/style is well-defined
  • Reuse glossary + translation memory
  • Test performance per language to optimize further

🧩 Tier 3 – Supportive or Informational Content​

Examples:​

  • FAQs
  • Knowledge base articles
  • Onboarding guides
  • Internal training content

Approach:​

  • AI translation + internal review
  • Use CAT editor to refine high-traffic content
  • Focus on coverage, not perfection

📚 Tier 4 – Long-Tail or Archive Content​

Examples:​

  • Old blog posts
  • Legal disclosures
  • Past product docs

Approach:​

  • Translate with AI for coverage
  • Post-edit only if the content still drives traffic or compliance
  • Great candidate for continuous localization automation

🧠 Why Use This Model?​

  • Helps teams stay focused on ROI
  • Aligns localization with business goals (not just word count)
  • Builds translation memory and glossaries organically
  • Reduces waste on low-priority content
  • Sets clear expectations between marketing, product, and localization teams

💡 Taia Tips​

  • Translate Tier 1 + Tier 2 content manually before launching AI-at-scale
  • Let your AI output learn from your best human work
  • Always start with glossary + style guide for new languages

Want help mapping your content into a localization pyramid?
Schedule a free consult →

Last updated on by Taia Admin