SEO Content Strategist

Overview

Transform SEO from keyword-stuffing to strategic content architecture that builds topical authority and captures search intent. This skill encodes the frameworks for keyword research, content gap analysis, and content brief creation that separate pages that rank from pages that don't.

When to Use This Skill

• Content strategy development — Building a comprehensive SEO content plan
• Keyword research — Identifying high-value keyword opportunities
• Content gap analysis — Finding topics competitors cover that you don't
• Content brief creation — Specifying what a piece of content needs to rank
• Content optimization — Improving existing content for better rankings
• SERP feature targeting — Optimizing for featured snippets, PAA, etc.

Keyword Research Framework

The Intent-First Approach

Don't start with keywords—start with search intent.

Keyword Evaluation Criteria

For each keyword opportunity, assess:

Keyword Prioritization Matrix

Plot keywords on two axes:

                    HIGH BUSINESS VALUE
                           │
    Quick Wins             │           Priority Targets
    (Low difficulty,       │           (High difficulty,
     medium value)         │            high value)
                           │
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
    LOW DIFFICULTY         │                HIGH DIFFICULTY
                           │
    Fill-in Content        │           Long-term Plays
    (Low difficulty,       │           (High difficulty,
     lower value)          │            medium value)
                           │
                    LOW BUSINESS VALUE

Priority order:

1. Priority Targets (high value, achievable difficulty)
2. Quick Wins (easier wins, build momentum)
3. Long-term Plays (invest for future)
4. Fill-in Content (complete coverage, low effort)

Topical Authority Architecture

Hub-and-Spoke Model

Build authority through content clusters:

                    ┌─────────────┐
                    │  PILLAR     │
                    │  (Hub Page) │
                    └──────┬──────┘
                           │
        ┌──────────────────┼──────────────────┐
        │                  │                  │
   ┌────▼────┐       ┌────▼────┐       ┌────▼────┐
   │ Cluster │       │ Cluster │       │ Cluster │
   │ Article │       │ Article │       │ Article │
   └────┬────┘       └────┬────┘       └────┬────┘
        │                  │                  │
   ┌────▼────┐       ┌────▼────┐       ┌────▼────┐
   │Supporting│      │Supporting│      │Supporting│
   │ Content │       │ Content │       │ Content │
   └─────────┘       └─────────┘       └─────────┘

Pillar Page: Comprehensive guide covering broad topic (2,000-5,000 words) Cluster Articles: Deep-dives on specific subtopics (1,000-2,500 words) Supporting Content: Related pieces, FAQs, updates (500-1,500 words)

Internal Linking Rules

1. Pillar links to all clusters — Navigation and authority distribution
2. Clusters link to pillar — "Learn more about [broad topic]"
3. Clusters link to related clusters — Contextual connections
4. Supporting content links up — Points to cluster or pillar

Topic Cluster Planning Template

Content Gap Analysis

Competitor Content Audit Process

1. Identify competitors — 3-5 SEO competitors (may differ from business competitors)
2. Crawl their content — Use SEO tools to export their indexed pages
3. Categorize by topic — Group content into topic clusters
4. Map to your content — Identify what you have, don't have, and could improve
5. Prioritize gaps — Rank by business value and difficulty

Gap Analysis Matrix

Content Quality Gap Assessment

For topics where you compete but underperform:

Content Brief Framework

Brief Structure

Every content brief should include:

1. Target Overview

Primary Keyword: [keyword]
Search Volume: [monthly volume]
Keyword Difficulty: [score]
Current Ranking: [position or "not ranking"]
Target Position: [goal]
Search Intent: [informational/commercial/transactional]

2. SERP Analysis

Featured Snippet: [Yes/No, type if yes]
People Also Ask: [List relevant questions]
Top 3 Results:
  #1: [URL] - [word count, key angles]
  #2: [URL] - [word count, key angles]
  #3: [URL] - [word count, key angles]

3. Content Specifications

Recommended Word Count: [range]
Content Format: [guide, listicle, comparison, etc.]
Target Audience: [persona]
Conversion Goal: [CTA/next step]

4. Outline Requirements

Required Sections:

• H1: [Exact or recommended headline]
• H2: [Required section 1]
  • H3: [Subsection if needed]
• H2: [Required section 2]
• H2: [Required section 3]
• [Continue...]

Must Cover:

• [Topic/question that must be addressed]
• [Topic/question that must be addressed]
• [Topic/question that must be addressed]

Differentiation Angle: [What unique perspective, data, or expertise can we bring?]

5. SEO Requirements

Primary Keyword Usage:
- Title: [Yes, placement guidance]
- H1: [Yes/variation]
- First 100 words: [Yes]
- H2s: [Use variations in 2-3 H2s]

Secondary Keywords: [List 5-10 related terms to include]

Internal Links:
- Link TO: [List pages to link to]
- Link FROM: [List pages that should link to this]

External Links: [Guidance on authoritative sources to cite]

6. Media Requirements

Featured Image: [Description]
Supporting Images: [Number and types]
Video: [If applicable]
Infographic: [If applicable]

SERP Feature Optimization

Featured Snippet Targeting

Snippet Types and Optimization:

Paragraph Snippet Template:

## What is [Topic]?

[Topic] is [40-60 word direct definition that answers the query completely]. 
[Additional context that adds value without being needed for the snippet].

List Snippet Template:

## How to [Action]

To [action], follow these steps:

1. **[Step 1]**: [Brief description]
2. **[Step 2]**: [Brief description]
3. **[Step 3]**: [Brief description]
[Continue...]

People Also Ask (PAA) Strategy

1. Identify PAA questions for your target keyword
2. Create H2 sections that directly match PAA questions
3. Answer in first paragraph under each H2 (40-60 words)
4. Expand with detail below the direct answer

Example:

## How much does [Product] cost?

[Product] typically costs between $X and $Y per month, depending on 
the plan and features selected. Enterprise pricing is custom and 
generally starts at $Z annually.

[Detailed pricing breakdown, comparison table, etc.]

Content Optimization Checklist

On-Page SEO Checklist

Title Tag:

• Contains primary keyword
• Under 60 characters
• Compelling and clickable
• Unique across site

Meta Description:

• Contains primary keyword
• Under 155 characters
• Includes call-to-action
• Unique across site

URL:

• Short and descriptive
• Contains primary keyword
• No unnecessary parameters

Content:

• H1 contains primary keyword (or close variant)
• Primary keyword in first 100 words
• Secondary keywords used naturally
• Proper heading hierarchy (H1 → H2 → H3)
• Internal links to relevant content (3-5 minimum)
• External links to authoritative sources (1-3)
• Images have descriptive alt text
• Content answers search intent completely

Technical:

• Page loads under 3 seconds
• Mobile-friendly
• No broken links
• Schema markup where appropriate

Content Quality Checklist

• Answers the primary query in the first section
• Provides depth beyond competitors
• Includes original insights, data, or examples
• Well-organized with scannable sections
• Free of grammar and spelling errors
• Includes relevant media (images, video, infographics)
• Has clear next step/CTA
• Updated date reflects accuracy

Content Calendar Integration

Publication Cadence Recommendations

Content Calendar Template

Resources

references/

• keyword-research-guide.md — Detailed keyword research methodology
• competitor-analysis.md — SEO competitor analysis framework
• technical-seo-checklist.md — Technical SEO requirements
• content-templates.md — Templates for different content formats

scripts/

• brief-generator.py — Generates content briefs from keyword inputs
• gap-analyzer.py — Identifies content gaps vs. competitors

assets/

• content-brief-template.docx — Blank content brief format
• content-calendar.xlsx — Editorial calendar template
• keyword-tracker.xlsx — Keyword ranking tracking spreadsheet