---
name: seo-content-brief
description: >
Generate competitive SEO content briefs with per-section word counts,
competitor scoring, keyword density guidance, and page-type templates.
Supports both new page briefs and improve-existing-page briefs.
Use when user says "content brief", "write a brief", "content outline",
"blog brief", "service page brief", "brief for", "writing brief",
"content plan", or "outline for".
user-invokable: true
argument-hint: "[url-or-keyword] [page-type]"
license: MIT
metadata:
author: puneetindersingh
original_author: puneetindersingh
version: "1.0.0"
category: seo
---
SEO Content Brief Generator
Generate research-backed content briefs that help writers produce pages capable of outranking current top results. Briefs include competitor analysis with gap scoring, per-section word count breakdowns, keyword placement rules, and page-type-specific templates.
Process
### 1. Determine Brief Mode
**Improve mode** (existing page URL provided):
→ Fetch the existing page content and structure
→ Identify what is already strong (keep it)
→ Identify missing, thin, or outdated sections
→ Distinguish "keep/strengthen" vs "add new" sections in the outline
→ Do not recommend a full rewrite when targeted improvements will win
**New page mode** (keyword or topic provided, no existing page):
→ Use the target site's homepage or sitemap for business context only
→ Build the brief from scratch for a new page
→ Focus on competitive gaps the new page can fill
### 2. Fetch Context
→ Fetch the target URL or homepage to understand the business
→ Fetch the sitemap to discover all existing pages, categories, and services
→ This context is critical for the Website Relevance Rule (see below)
### 3. Analyse SERPs
→ Identify the top 5 ranking pages for the target keyword
→ Filter out non-competitors (Wikipedia, Reddit, Pinterest, Amazon, YouTube, government sites, SEO tool pages, job boards, directories, news aggregators, social platforms). See `references/excluded-domains.md` for the full list.
→ Score each real competitor: Depth (1-10), Formatting (1-10), SEO (1-10), UX (1-10)
→ Identify three gap types:
→ **Topic gaps:** subtopics competitors miss entirely
→ **Depth gaps:** topics covered but shallow
→ **Quality gaps:** outdated info, no expert perspective, poor formatting
→ Calculate gap priority: `Impact x Competitive Advantage / Effort`
### 4. Classify Search Intent
→ **Informational:** user wants to learn (guides, how-tos, definitions)
→ **Commercial:** user is researching before buying (comparisons, reviews, "best X")
→ **Transactional:** user is ready to act (buy, book, enquire, sign up)
→ **Navigational:** user is looking for a specific site or page
Identify what SERP format Google rewards for this query: long-form guide, listicle, comparison table, landing page, FAQ, video, local pack.
### 5. Build the Brief
Apply the page-type template from `references/page-type-templates.md`, then customise based on competitor gaps and search intent.
Critical Rules
### Website Relevance Rule
Every heading, subtopic, keyword, and FAQ you suggest MUST be something the target website can credibly write about based on its actual services or products.
→ Read the site's homepage and sitemap to understand what it does
→ Do not borrow competitor structure if those sections cover things this site does not offer
→ Before each suggestion, ask: "Can this website actually deliver on this content?" If no, remove it.
### Site Structure Coverage Rule
When briefing a hub, overview, category, or "types of" page:
→ The outline MUST reference every relevant product category, service, or sub-page that exists on the site
→ Do not invent categories that don't exist, do not leave out categories that do exist
→ Each category should appear as its own section with an internal link suggestion
→ This ensures the page acts as a proper hub linking to all child pages
For non-hub pages (single service page, blog post), use site structure to suggest relevant internal links but do not force every category into the outline.
### Output Language Rules
→ Never mention researcher names, framework names, or tool names in the output (no "Ben Goodey method", "Frase.io formula", "Princeton GEO", "Clearscope", "Backlinko")
→ These are internal thinking tools only. The output must read as plain, professional advice.
→ Write for a business owner or content writer, not an SEO academic
Keyword Density and Placement
Read `references/keyword-density.md` for the full rules. Summary:
**Primary keyword density:** 0.5% to 2.0% of total word count.
→ Above 2% requires review. Above 3% risks keyword stuffing penalties.
→ First 1-2 mentions carry the most SEO weight. Diminishing returns after.
→ For a 1,000-word article at 1-2%: roughly 10-20 total appearances including headings, body, and alt text.
**Primary keyword MUST appear in:**
1. Title tag (near the front)
2. H1 tag (near the front)
3. URL slug
4. Meta description
5. First paragraph / first 100 words
6. At least one image alt text
**Primary keyword does NOT need to appear in:**
→ Every H2 or H3 (subtopics carry context naturally if H1 covers it)
→ Every paragraph or section
**Secondary keywords:**
→ 5-8 closely related supporting terms distributed through body content
→ 10-15 broader semantic terms covering related concepts
→ Use in H2-H6 subheadings where natural
→ Synonyms improve readability and do NOT count toward keyword density
**Per-section keyword guidance:** For each section in the outline, specify:
→ Which keyword (primary or secondary) belongs in the heading
→ Whether the body should include the primary keyword or a variation
→ Example: "Use secondary keyword 'structural drafting services' in H2. Body: mention primary keyword once."
**Distribution:** Spread the primary keyword evenly. Do not front-load or cluster in one section.
Meta Tag Rules
**Title tag:**
→ 50-60 characters (never under 50, never over 60)
→ Primary keyword first, brand name last
→ Separate brand with a pipe or dash (match the site's existing pattern)
→ Lead with outcomes, numbers, or specifics when possible
**Meta description:**
→ 130-150 characters (never under 130, never over 150)
→ Active voice, expand on the title with USPs and specifics
→ End with a call to action
→ No brand name at the end (it's already in the title)
→ No quotes (Google truncates at quotes)
Information Gain (non-negotiable)
Every brief must specify EXACTLY what new value this content adds that no current ranking page provides. Must be specific:
→ Proprietary data or original research
→ Case studies with real outcomes
→ Expert quotes or first-hand experience
→ Original synthesis or unique framework
→ NOT "more detail" or "better formatting"
E-E-A-T Requirements
List the exact trust signals this content needs:
→ Author credentials and bio relevant to the topic
→ Expert quotes or citations from authoritative sources
→ Cited studies, data, or statistics with dates
→ Last updated date
→ Especially critical for YMYL topics (health, finance, legal, safety)
Internal Linking
→ Suggest 3-5 specific internal link opportunities with anchor text
→ Specify whether the page is a hub (links out to cluster pages) or spoke (links to pillar page)
→ Use the site structure from the sitemap to find real link targets
Output Format
Always output in this exact structure:
```
Content Brief: [Primary Keyword]
### Search Intent
[Intent type, SERP format rewarded, target audience and knowledge level. 3-4 lines.]
### Competitor Analysis
| # | URL | Key H2 Sections | Est. Words | Score | Main Gap |
|---|-----|-----------------|------------|-------|----------|
| 1 | ... | ... | ... | X/40 | ... |
### Content Gaps and Opportunities
[Bullet list: topic gaps, depth gaps, quality gaps with specifics]
### Winning Outline
**H1:** [H1 with primary keyword]
**URL Slug:** /[slug]
Release evidence
Reviewed in the 2026-06-15 GetAgentIQ warehouse propagation cycle.