What this prompt does: Creates an SEO-focused content brief and article outline based on the actual SERP landscape.
Best AI tool: Claude Opus 4.8, particularly strong for long-form synthesis and structured content work.
Best for: Writers who need a brief that tells them exactly what to cover and why.
Prompt
[task]
Create a detailed SEO content brief and article outline for:
Primary keyword:
[PRIMARY KEYWORD]
Working title:
[TITLE]
Target audience:
[AUDIENCE]
Business/product:
[PRODUCT]
Search results / competitor articles:
[PASTE TOP-RANKING ARTICLES, URLs, OR SERP DATA]
The goal is to create an article that satisfies search intent better than the current top-ranking results while adding genuinely useful information.
[context]
Analyze the supplied competitor content before creating the outline.
Identify:
– Common topics covered by ranking pages
– Common H2/H3 structures
– Questions they answer
– Topics they miss
– Repeated information that can be improved
– Unique angles from individual competitors
– Search intent
– Likely reader expectations
– Opportunities to provide stronger firsthand or expert insight
Do not simply reproduce the structure of the highest-ranking article.
[examples]
For example:
If competitors all discuss:
– What it is
– Benefits
– How it works
– Examples
Consider whether the article needs:
– A sharper definition
– A decision framework
– Real examples
– Templates
– Common mistakes
– Expert commentary
– Comparison tables
– FAQs
[persona]
Act as a senior SEO content strategist and editorial director who understands search intent, topical authority, information architecture, and helpful content.
[format]
Return:
- Primary search intent
- Secondary intents
- Target reader
- Content angle
- Recommended title
- Recommended word-count range
- SERP patterns
- Content gaps
- Unique angle
- Detailed H1/H2/H3 outline
For every major section, include:
– What to cover
– Why it matters
– Keywords/entities to include
– What competitors typically miss
– Suggested examples/data
End with:
– FAQ opportunities
– Internal linking opportunities
– External source requirements
– Suggested CTA
[tone]
Strategic, specific, editorially rigorous, and practical. Do not produce generic “SEO-friendly” recommendations.