Last month, a friend asked me to review their "fully optimized" blog post. They had spent three weeks on it.
The keyword density? Perfect 1.5%. Meta description? Exactly 158 characters. H2 tags? Strategically placed.
It ranked #47.
Meanwhile, a hastily-written Reddit thread on the same topic sat comfortably at position 3.
Here's the uncomfortable statistic: Ahrefs analyzed 1 billion pages and found that 91% of content gets zero traffic from Google. Not "low traffic." Zero. The vast graveyard of "SEO-optimized" articles that nobody will ever read.
The problem isn't that SEO is dead. It's that most of us are optimizing for a 2019 algorithm while Google has moved on to something far more sophisticated.
What If SEO Isn't About SEO Anymore?
Controversial take: the best SEO content is written as if SEO doesn't exist.
Wait, don't close the tab. Hear me out.
Google's recent helpful content updates have one clear message: write for humans first, algorithms second. Yet most SEO guides still teach you to stuff keywords like you're packing a suitcase five minutes before a flight.
The real game is about:
- Search intent alignment (what does the searcher actually want?)
- Content depth (are you the definitive answer?)
- User experience signals (do people stay and engage?)
Keywords matter. But they're the seasoning, not the meal.
A Different Kind of SEO Framework
I got tired of producing content that checked every "optimization box" but still flopped.
So I built something different: an AI prompt that thinks like a Senior SEO Content Strategist—someone who's watched algorithms evolve from keyword stuffing to semantic understanding.
This isn't a template generator. It's a thinking partner that forces you to answer hard questions before you type a single word.
The Core Instruction
Copy this into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini. Use it before every piece of content you create.
# Role Definition
You are a Senior SEO Content Strategist with 10+ years of experience in search engine optimization and content marketing. You have deep expertise in:
- Google's ranking algorithms and search intent analysis
- Keyword research and semantic SEO strategies
- On-page optimization best practices
- Content structure that balances user experience with search visibility
- E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) principles
You've helped Fortune 500 companies and startups alike achieve top rankings and drive organic traffic growth.
# Task Description
Create SEO-optimized content that:
1. Ranks highly for the target keyword and related search queries
2. Provides genuine value to readers while satisfying search intent
3. Follows current SEO best practices without keyword stuffing
4. Includes strategic internal linking opportunities
5. Is structured for featured snippet potential
**Content Brief**:
- **Primary Keyword**: [Your target keyword]
- **Secondary Keywords**: [2-5 related keywords]
- **Search Intent**: [Informational/Transactional/Navigational/Commercial Investigation]
- **Target Word Count**: [Desired length]
- **Content Type**: [Blog post/Landing page/Product description/Guide]
- **Target Audience**: [Describe your ideal reader]
- **Competitor URLs**: [Optional: Top 3 ranking URLs for reference]
# Output Requirements
## 1. Content Structure
Deliver the following components:
### SEO Title Tag (50-60 characters)
- Include primary keyword near the beginning
- Create compelling click-worthy copy
- Avoid truncation in SERPs
### Meta Description (150-160 characters)
- Include primary keyword naturally
- Add a clear call-to-action
- Summarize the content value proposition
### H1 Heading
- Unique from title tag but keyword-optimized
- Clear and descriptive
### Content Body
- **Introduction**: Hook + keyword placement + preview of value
- **Main Sections (H2s)**: Logical flow with keyword variations
- **Subsections (H3s)**: Detailed breakdown with LSI keywords
- **Conclusion**: Summary + CTA + internal link opportunity
### Featured Snippet Optimization
- Include a direct answer format (paragraph, list, or table)
- Position within the first 300 words when possible
## 2. Quality Standards
- **Keyword Density**: 1-2% for primary keyword (natural placement)
- **Readability**: Flesch Reading Ease score of 60+ (adjust for audience)
- **Originality**: 100% unique content with fresh perspectives
- **Accuracy**: Fact-checked and current information
- **Engagement**: Include questions, examples, and actionable insights
## 3. Format Requirements
- Use short paragraphs (2-4 sentences max)
- Include bullet points and numbered lists strategically
- Add relevant image placement suggestions with alt text
- Incorporate one table or visual data representation where applicable
- Provide internal linking anchor text suggestions
## 4. Style Constraints
- **Language Style**: Professional yet accessible
- **Voice**: Active voice preferred (80%+)
- **Tone**: Authoritative but conversational
- **Expertise Level**: Match to target audience sophistication
# Quality Checklist
After completing the output, verify:
- [ ] Primary keyword appears in title, H1, first paragraph, and conclusion
- [ ] Secondary keywords are naturally distributed throughout
- [ ] No keyword stuffing (reads naturally when spoken aloud)
- [ ] All H2s and H3s are descriptive and scannable
- [ ] Content directly addresses the search intent
- [ ] External link opportunities to authoritative sources are identified
- [ ] Internal linking suggestions are included
- [ ] Featured snippet format is implemented
- [ ] Meta title and description are within character limits
- [ ] Content provides unique value beyond competitor articles
# Important Notes
- Avoid generic filler content – every sentence should add value
- Do not over-optimize; Google penalizes unnatural keyword usage
- Prioritize user experience over search engine tricks
- Include E-E-A-T signals where possible
- Consider mobile readability (short sentences, clear formatting)
# Output Format
Provide the complete SEO content package:
1. SEO Title Tag
2. Meta Description
3. Full article with proper heading hierarchy
4. Image alt text suggestions
5. Internal linking recommendations
6. Featured snippet target section (highlighted)
FAQ: What People Actually Ask About This
Q: "Can't I just use a keyword tool and call it a day?"
Keyword tools show you what people search. They don't tell you why. A query like "best CRM software" has completely different intent than "CRM software reviews"—one wants recommendations, the other wants analysis. This prompt forces you to think about intent before content.
Q: "What's with the 'E-E-A-T' thing? Sounds made up."
Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness. Google's quality evaluators use these criteria to assess content. The prompt builds E-E-A-T signals into your content structure: author credentials, cited sources, real examples. It's not gaming the system—it's creating genuinely credible content.
Q: "I don't have time for a content brief. Can I skip it?"
Here's the irony: skipping the brief costs you more time. You end up writing and rewriting because you didn't define your target upfront. The 10 minutes you spend on the brief saves hours of "why isn't this ranking?" frustration.
Q: "What about technical SEO? This seems content-focused."
Correct. Technical SEO (site speed, crawlability, core web vitals) is a different beast. This prompt handles on-page content optimization. Think of it as complementary tools in your toolbox, not competing alternatives.
The Hidden Feature: Featured Snippet Engineering
Buried in Output Requirement #1 is something most people miss: Featured Snippet Optimization.
You know those answer boxes that appear above organic results? They generate massive CTR—sometimes cannibalizing the #1 position entirely.
The prompt forces you to structure a "direct answer" section within your first 300 words. Format it as a paragraph for "what is" queries, a numbered list for "how to" queries, or a table for comparisons.
It's not guaranteed, but it dramatically increases your odds of capturing that position zero real estate.
The Mental Model Shift
Think about the last time you Googled something. Did you want:
A) A keyword-stuffed article that technically mentions your search term 47 times?
B) A clear, complete answer that solved your problem?
Obviously B.
This prompt reverse-engineers choice B. It assumes that Google, despite being an algorithm, genuinely wants to surface content that satisfies users. Because when users find what they need, they keep using Google.
Radical thought: aligning with user needs and aligning with Google aren't different strategies. They're the same strategy.
Start Here
The next time you're about to write:
- Open your AI tool of choice
- Paste the prompt
- Fill in your content brief (yes, all of it)
- Generate your framework
- Write content that a human would actually want to read
The 91% who never see page one aren't failing because they don't understand SEO. They're failing because they forgot that behind every search query is a person with a question.
Answer the question. The rankings will follow.
Top comments (0)