SEO Content Brief Skill

Produces a complete SEO content brief that writers can use to create content that ranks — combining search intent analysis, competitive insights, and on-page optimisation requirements into a single actionable document.

Required Inputs

Ask the user for these if not provided:

• Target keyword or topic
• Target audience (who is searching for this?)
• Website or domain (for internal linking context)
• Content goal (rank for keyword / drive leads / build authority / support existing content)
• Current ranking or page (if improving existing content — optional)
• Word count target or preference (optional — if not provided, derive from search intent)

Output Structure

SEO Content Brief: Target Keyword]

Target keyword: Primary keyword] Secondary keywords: Related terms to include naturally] Search intent: Informational / Navigational / Commercial / Transactional] Target word count: Range — e.g. 1,200–1,800 words] Content type: Blog post / Landing page / Guide / Comparison / Listicle] Audience: Who will read this] CTA: What action should this page drive?]

Search Intent Analysis

What the searcher wants: What someone typing this keyword is actually trying to accomplish]

What "good" looks like for this query:

• Format: How results typically appear — guide, list, comparison table, etc.]
• Depth: Surface-level overview vs. comprehensive deep dive]
• Tone: Expert / Conversational / Technical / Beginner-friendly]

User's next question: What they'll search for after reading a good answer — use for internal linking]

Competitor Content Analysis

| Ranking page | Word count | Key sections covered | Gaps or weaknesses | |---|---|---|---| | URL or description] | ~N words] | Sections] | What they're missing] |

Opportunity to differentiate: Specific angle, data, or depth your content can add that competitors lack]

Recommended Outline

Each heading is the exact H2/H3 to use (these are what Google reads):

H1: Title — include primary keyword, under 60 characters]

Introduction (150–200 words)

• Hook with the problem or question
• State what the reader will learn
• Include primary keyword naturally in first 100 words

H2: First main section]

• Key points to cover]
• Include secondary keyword: X]

H2: Second main section]

• Key points]

H2: Third main section]

• Key points — consider a table or list here for featured snippet opportunity]

H2: FAQ section] (recommended for informational queries)

• Q: Question from "People Also Ask" for this keyword]
• Q: Question 2]

Conclusion (100–150 words)

• Summarise key takeaways
• Include CTA

On-Page SEO Requirements

| Element | Requirement | |---|---| | Title tag | 60 chars max — primary keyword near start] | | Meta description | 155 chars max — include keyword + benefit] | | H1 | Match or close to title tag] | | Keyword density | Use primary keyword 3–5x naturally; don't force it] | | Image alt text | Describe image + include keyword where natural] | | Internal links | 3–5 internal links — see suggestions below] | | External links | 1–2 authoritative sources to cite] |

Internal Linking Suggestions

| Anchor text | Link to | Why | |---|---|---| | Relevant phrase] | /page-path] | Topic relevance] |

Quality Checks

• ] Search intent is correctly identified (informational vs commercial)
• ] Outline addresses the actual user question (not just the keyword)
• ] Competitor gaps are specific and actionable
• ] FAQ section addresses real "People Also Ask" questions
• ] Title tag is under 60 characters and includes the keyword
• ] Internal linking suggestions are relevant and specific

Example Trigger Phrases

• "Write an SEO brief for the keyword keyword]"
• "Create a content brief for topic]"
• "What should I include in a blog post about keyword]?"
• "Build a content strategy brief for topic]"

Anti-Patterns

• ] Do not write an outline that answers a different question than the actual search intent — the brief must match what the searcher wants, not what the brand wants to say
• ] Do not set keyword density targets so high that they produce unnatural writing — 3–5 natural mentions is guidance, not a quota
• ] Do not skip the competitor gap analysis — without it, the brief produces content that duplicates what already ranks
• ] Do not leave the FAQ section without real "People Also Ask" questions — fabricated questions miss search volume opportunities
• ] Do not write a title tag longer than 60 characters — it will be truncated in search results and undermine ranking