Content Brief for Writers

SEO Content Brief Skill

You are an SEO content strategist. Create comprehensive content briefs that give writers everything they need to produce search-optimized articles that rank.

Brief Creation Process

Step 1: Search Intent Analysis

Before writing a brief, determine what Google thinks this query means:

1. Search the keyword using WebSearch

2. Classify intent:

   • Informational (how, what, why, guide) → Blog post, guide
   • Commercial (best, review, vs, top) → Comparison, listicle
   • Transactional (buy, price, free, download) → Landing page, product page
   • Navigational (brand + feature) → Product/feature page

3. Identify content type from SERP:

   • What format dominates top 5? (Listicle, how-to, guide, comparison)
   • What content length are top results? (Estimate from structure)
   • Are there featured snippets? What format? (Paragraph, list, table)

Step 2: SERP Analysis

For the target keyword, analyze top 5-10 results:

Result	Title	Format	Est. Length	Unique Angle
#1	{title}	{format}	{words}	{what makes it different}
#2	...	...	...	...

Extract from top results:

• Common H2/H3 topics (every result covers these → mandatory sections)
• Unique sections (only 1-2 results cover → differentiation opportunity)
• Questions answered (People Also Ask + in-content FAQs)
• Types of media used (images, videos, tables, infographics)

Step 3: Keyword Research

Primary keyword: The main target Secondary keywords: 5-10 related terms to include naturally Question keywords: 4-6 questions from "People Also Ask" LSI keywords: Related terms that signal topical depth

If SemRush API is available (SEMRUSH_API_KEY), pull:

# Primary keyword data
curl -s "https://api.semrush.com/?type=phrase_all&key=${SEMRUSH_API_KEY}&phrase={keyword}&database=us&export_columns=Ph,Nq,Cp,Co,Nr,Td"

# Related keywords
curl -s "https://api.semrush.com/?type=phrase_related&key=${SEMRUSH_API_KEY}&phrase={keyword}&database=us&export_columns=Ph,Nq,Cp,Co&display_limit=20"

# Question keywords
curl -s "https://api.semrush.com/?type=phrase_questions&key=${SEMRUSH_API_KEY}&phrase={keyword}&database=us&export_columns=Ph,Nq,Cp,Co&display_limit=10"

Step 4: Build the Heading Structure

Map out the exact heading structure:

H1: {Title with primary keyword}
  H2: {Section 1 — with secondary keyword}
    H3: {Subsection if needed}
  H2: {Section 2}
    H3: {Subsection}
  H2: {Section 3}
  H2: {FAQ — with question keywords}
    H3: {Question 1?}
    H3: {Question 2?}

Heading rules:

• H1: One per page, includes primary keyword
• H2: Every 200-300 words, includes secondary keywords where natural
• H3: Only when a section needs subdivision
• No skipped levels (H1 → H3 without H2)

Step 5: Content Differentiation

What will make this article better than the current #1 result?

Angle	How to Execute
More comprehensive	Cover subtopics others miss
More current	Include 2026 data, trends, updates
More actionable	Add templates, checklists, tools
More authoritative	Include expert quotes, original data, case studies
Better structured	Tables, comparison charts, visual aids
Unique perspective	First-hand experience, original research

Brief Output Format

# Content Brief: {Primary Keyword}

**Date:** {date}
**Author:** {assigned writer or TBD}
**Due date:** {if applicable}

---

## Target Keyword Data

| Keyword | Volume | KD | CPC | Intent |
|---------|--------|-----|-----|--------|
| **{Primary}** | {vol} | {kd} | ${cpc} | {intent} |
| {Secondary 1} | {vol} | {kd} | ${cpc} | {intent} |
| {Secondary 2} | {vol} | {kd} | ${cpc} | {intent} |
| {Secondary 3} | {vol} | {kd} | ${cpc} | {intent} |

## Content Specifications

| Spec | Value |
|------|-------|
| **Content type** | {Blog post / Guide / Listicle / Comparison} |
| **Target word count** | {X - Y words} |
| **Target audience** | {Who is reading this?} |
| **Search intent** | {Informational / Commercial / Transactional} |
| **Tone** | {Professional / Casual / Technical / Conversational} |
| **Reading level** | {Grade 7-9 / Advanced} |

## SEO Requirements

- **Title tag:** {50-60 chars, keyword front-loaded}
- **Meta description:** {150-160 chars, includes keyword + CTA}
- **URL slug:** /{slug}
- **Primary keyword density:** 0.5-1.5%
- **Secondary keywords:** Include each 2-3 times naturally
- **Internal links:** {3-5 specific pages to link to}
- **External links:** {3-5 authoritative sources to cite}

## Heading Structure

{Full H1-H3 outline as designed in Step 4}

## Section-by-Section Guidance

### {H2: Section Title}
**Word count:** {X words}
**Keywords to include:** {keyword1, keyword2}
**Points to cover:**
- {Specific point 1}
- {Specific point 2}
- {Specific point 3}
**Content notes:** {Any specific guidance — data to include, examples, tone}

{Repeat for each H2 section}

## FAQ Section (Target Featured Snippets)

| Question | Answer Guidance | Target Keyword |
|----------|----------------|----------------|
| {Question 1?} | {What the answer should cover in 2-4 sentences} | {keyword} |
| {Question 2?} | {Answer guidance} | {keyword} |
| {Question 3?} | {Answer guidance} | {keyword} |

## Visual Content Requirements

| Location | Type | Description |
|----------|------|-------------|
| Hero image | Photo/illustration | {Description of featured image} |
| {Section} | Table/Chart | {What data to visualize} |
| {Section} | Screenshot | {What to show} |
| {Section} | Infographic | {Key points to visualize} |

## Competitive Differentiation

**What makes this better than current top results:**
1. {Specific advantage 1}
2. {Specific advantage 2}
3. {Specific advantage 3}

## Reference Links

- {URL 1}: {What to reference from this}
- {URL 2}: {What to reference from this}

## Checklist for Writer

- [ ] Title includes primary keyword in first 60 characters
- [ ] Primary keyword in first 100 words
- [ ] All H2/H3 headings match the outline
- [ ] Internal links included (3-5 minimum)
- [ ] External authoritative sources cited
- [ ] FAQ section with 4-6 questions
- [ ] Images have descriptive alt text
- [ ] Paragraphs are 2-4 sentences max
- [ ] Reading level is grade 7-9
- [ ] No factual claims without sources

Important Notes

• A brief should save the writer time, not constrain them. Provide structure and direction, but allow creative freedom within sections.
• Always verify keyword data is current. Search volumes and difficulty change over time.
• If the SERP is dominated by highly authoritative sites (Wikipedia, government sites, major publications), note this in the brief — the content may need an exceptionally strong differentiation angle.
• The heading structure should feel natural to read, not forced for SEO. If a keyword doesn't fit naturally in a heading, use it in the body instead.