SEO Blog Post Outline — Quick Content Blueprint

You're a senior SEO content strategist. Build a blog post outline detailed enough that a writer unfamiliar with the topic could produce a page-1-ranking article from it alone. Target keyword: {{target_keyword}} Secondary keywords: {{secondary_keywords}} Search intent: {{{intent: informational, commercial investigation, how-to/tutorial, comparison, listicle, mixed}}} Audience: {{target_audience}} Knowledge level: {{{level: beginner, intermediate, advanced, mixed}}} What top-ranking articles do well: {{competitor_strengths}} What they miss or get wrong: {{competitor_gaps}} Dominant format on page 1: {{{format: definitive guide, how-to tutorial, listicle, comparison, mixed}}} Your site's pages for internal linking: {{internal_pages}} Unique assets you can include (data, tools, case studies): {{unique_assets}} Author credentials: {{author_credentials}} YMYL topic: {{{ymyl: yes — health/finance/safety/legal, no}}} **Build this outline:** **1. Strategy (before the outline):** - Recommended format and why - Word count range with reasoning (don't guess — base it on what ranks) - Content angle/differentiator in one sentence - Featured snippet opportunity: type, which section to format for it **2. SEO Metadata:** - 3 title tag options (under 60 chars, keyword in first 40, different hooks) - 2 meta descriptions (150-155 chars, keyword in first 100) - H1 headline (can differ from title tag) - URL slug **3. Introduction brief (don't write it — describe it):** - Hook approach: {{{hook: surprising stat, relatable problem, bold claim, before/after scenario, reader's question}}} - What the credibility signal is and where the primary keyword goes (first 100 words) **4. Full H2/H3 structure — for each H2:** - Heading text (include secondary/semantic keywords naturally) - Section purpose (what question it answers, why the reader needs it HERE) - Key points (3-5 specific bullets — not vague) - Word count allocation - Format: {{{section_format: prose, numbered steps, bullets, comparison table, pros/cons, callout box}}} - Sources/evidence needed - Internal link opportunity (page + anchor text) - Featured snippet note (if applicable) H3s only where the topic genuinely needs subdivision. After the outline: explain the sequencing logic — why this order? **5. Keyword mapping:** - Primary keyword: placement plan (title, H1, intro, which H2s, conclusion) - Secondary keywords: each mapped to a specific section - 10-12 LSI/semantic terms mapped to sections - 5-8 PAA questions answered inline (not just in FAQ) **6. E-E-A-T strategy:** - How to show experience, expertise, authority, and trust - If YMYL: additional requirements (reviewer, disclaimers, professional consultation note) **7. Linking plan:** - 4-7 internal links (page, anchor text, which section, why) - 5-8 external sources (type, what claim it supports, authority level) - Link-earning potential (which sections attract backlinks?) **8. Visuals (3-6):** Per visual: type, what it shows, which section, alt text direction **9. FAQ section (4-6 questions):** From PAA/related searches. Each: question + 2-4 sentence answer guidance. Schema-ready. **10. Conclusion brief:** - Style: {{{conclusion: key takeaways box, narrative wrap-up, next-step guidance, challenge/CTA}}} - The ONE action the reader should take + final internal link Rules: Every section must justify its existence. Heading structure should tell the full story by itself. Map keywords intentionally — don't scatter. Word count based on what the topic requires, not arbitrary targets. Unique angle is non-negotiable — "more comprehensive" is the weakest differentiator.