Seo Growth

SEO Growth Skill

Trigger Conditions

Use this skill when the user asks to:

• Research keywords or build a keyword strategy
• Optimize content for search engines
• Build a content cluster or topic hub
• Write or improve meta descriptions and title tags
• Plan an internal linking strategy
• Analyze SERPs or competitor search performance
• Improve E-E-A-T signals
• Audit on-page SEO elements
• Plan a content strategy with SEO focus

Brand Voice Integration

MANDATORY: Before generating ANY SEO content, load the brand voice configuration.

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from growthOS_shared.config import load_brand_voice
brand = load_brand_voice()

SEO content must:

1. Pass anti_slop validation — search engines increasingly penalize generic AI content
2. Match brand.tone — consistency across all content builds brand authority
3. Provide genuine value — Google's Helpful Content Update rewards content made for humans

Keyword Research Methodology

The 5-Layer Keyword Research Process

Layer 1: Seed Keywords from Business Context

Start with the business, not the tool. Extract seed keywords from:

• Product features and use cases
• Customer support tickets (actual language customers use)
• Sales call transcripts (how prospects describe their problem)
• Competitor landing pages (what terms they target)
• Industry forums and communities (Reddit, specialized forums)

Template for seed extraction:

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seed_keywords:
  from_product:
    - "[feature] + [use case]"  # e.g., "content calendar automation"
  from_customer_language:
    - "[how customers describe the problem]"  # e.g., "spending too much time on social media"
  from_competitors:
    - "[terms competitors rank for]"
  from_communities:
    - "[questions people ask]"  # e.g., "how to plan content for LinkedIn"

Layer 2: Keyword Expansion

For each seed keyword, expand using these methods:

Layer 3: Intent Classification

Every keyword has a search intent. Mismatching intent = wasted content.

How to determine intent:

1. Google the keyword and analyze the top 5 results
2. Are they blog posts (informational), product pages (transactional), or comparison articles (commercial)?
3. Match your content format to what Google is already ranking

Layer 4: Prioritization Scoring

Score each keyword opportunity:

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keyword_score:
  keyword: "[term]"
  monthly_volume: "[number]"
  keyword_difficulty: "[0-100]"
  search_intent: "[informational | commercial | transactional]"
  business_relevance: "[1-5, how close to your product's value]"
  current_ranking: "[position or 'not ranking']"
  content_exists: "[yes/no — do you already have content for this?]"
  priority_score: "[calculated: relevance × (volume / difficulty)]"

Prioritization rules:

• High relevance + low difficulty = quick wins (do first)
• High relevance + high difficulty = strategic investments (plan long-term)
• Low relevance + any difficulty = skip (doesn't matter if you rank)
• Always prioritize business relevance over raw volume

Layer 5: Keyword Mapping

Map keywords to content and URLs:

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keyword_map:
  - primary_keyword: "[main target]"
    secondary_keywords:
      - "[variation 1]"
      - "[variation 2]"
    target_url: "[/path/to/content]"
    content_type: "[blog | landing | guide | comparison]"
    status: "[planned | draft | published | needs-update]"
    cluster: "[which content cluster this belongs to]"

On-Page SEO Checklist

Use this checklist for every piece of content before publishing.

Title Tag (most important on-page element)

• Primary keyword appears in title tag
• Title is 50-60 characters (not truncated in SERPs)
• Title is compelling to click (not just keyword-stuffed)
• Title is unique across the site (no duplicates)
• Brand name at end if space allows: "Topic — Brand"
• Front-loads the primary keyword (first 3-4 words)

Title tag formulas:

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[Number] + [Adjective] + [Keyword] + [Promise]
→ "7 Proven Content Calendar Templates That Save 10 Hours/Week"

How to + [Keyword] + [Without Objection]
→ "How to Build a Content Strategy Without a Full Marketing Team"

[Keyword]: [Specific Benefit or Framework]
→ "Content Clusters: The Hub-and-Spoke Model for Topical Authority"

Meta Description

• 150-160 characters (not truncated)
• Contains primary keyword naturally
• Includes a clear value proposition
• Has a call-to-action or curiosity hook
• Unique per page (no duplicates)
• Accurately describes page content

Meta description templates:

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[Benefit statement]. [Specific detail]. [CTA].
→ "Build your content calendar in 10 minutes. Includes templates for
LinkedIn, Twitter, and email. Get the free guide."

[Question that matches search intent]? [Answer preview]. [CTA].
→ "Struggling with consistent content? Here's the 3-pillar framework
used by 500+ marketing teams. Start planning today."

[Problem] → [Solution]. [Proof]. [CTA].
→ "Spending 15 hours/week on social content? Automate your workflow
with GrowthOS. Trusted by 2,400+ teams. Try free."

Headings (H1-H6)

• H1 contains primary keyword (one H1 per page)
• H2s contain secondary keywords or question-form queries
• Heading hierarchy is logical (H2 → H3 → H4, no skipping)
• Headings are descriptive (scannable — reader gets value from headings alone)
• At least one H2 matches a "People Also Ask" question

Content Body

• Primary keyword in first 100 words
• Secondary keywords distributed naturally (not forced)
• Content length matches or exceeds top-ranking competitors
• Content provides unique value (original data, frameworks, examples)
• Uses semantic variations (LSI keywords) not just exact match
• Paragraphs ≤ 3-4 sentences (mobile readability)
• Uses bullet points and numbered lists for scanability
• Includes at least 1 original image, chart, or diagram

URL Structure

• URL is short, descriptive, and contains primary keyword
• Uses hyphens, not underscores
• No parameters, IDs, or dates in URL
• Lowercase only
• Max 3-5 words in the URL slug

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✅ /content-calendar-templates
❌ /blog/2025/03/15/content-calendar-templates-for-marketing-teams-2025

Images

• Alt text describes image AND includes keyword where natural
• File names are descriptive: content-calendar-template.png not IMG_4521.png
• Images are compressed (WebP or optimized PNG/JPG)
• Images add value (not stock filler)
• Lazy loading enabled for below-fold images

Internal Links

• Links to 3-5 related internal pages
• Anchor text is descriptive (not "click here")
• Links from high-authority internal pages to this page
• No orphan pages (every page has at least 1 internal link pointing to it)

Technical

• Page loads in < 3 seconds
• Mobile-responsive
• No broken links
• Canonical tag set correctly
• Schema markup added where applicable (FAQ, HowTo, Article)

Content Cluster Strategy

The Hub-and-Spoke Model

Content clusters (also called topic clusters) are the foundation of modern SEO architecture. They build topical authority and help Google understand your expertise.

Structure:

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                    ┌── Spoke: "How to Write LinkedIn Posts"
                    │
Pillar (Hub): ──────┼── Spoke: "Content Calendar Templates"
"Content Marketing   │
Strategy Guide"     ├── Spoke: "B2B vs B2C Content Strategy"
                    │
                    ├── Spoke: "Content Distribution Channels"
                    │
                    └── Spoke: "Measuring Content ROI"

Building a Content Cluster

Step 1: Choose the pillar topic

• Broad enough to support 10-20 sub-topics
• Competitive enough to be worth the investment
• Aligned with your product's value proposition

Step 2: Map spoke topics

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content_cluster:
  pillar:
    topic: "[Broad topic]"
    target_keyword: "[High-volume head term]"
    url: "/[topic-slug]"
    format: "comprehensive guide (3,000-5,000 words)"
    intent: "informational"
  spokes:
    - topic: "[Sub-topic 1]"
      target_keyword: "[Long-tail keyword]"
      url: "/[topic-slug]/[sub-topic-slug]"
      format: "[blog post | how-to | comparison | template]"
      intent: "[informational | commercial]"
      links_to_pillar: true
      internal_links:
        - "[other spoke URL that's related]"

Step 3: Internal linking rules

• Every spoke links to the pillar page (required)
• Pillar page links to every spoke (required)
• Spokes link to each other when contextually relevant (recommended)
• Anchor text varies — don't use the same text for every link

Step 4: Content creation order

1. Publish the pillar page first (even in draft form)
2. Publish spoke articles, linking to pillar as they go live
3. Update pillar to link to new spokes
4. Revisit and update cluster quarterly

Cluster Quality Metrics

SERP Analysis

How to Analyze a SERP Before Writing

Before creating content for any keyword, study what's already ranking:

Step 1: Search the primary keyword Note:

• What type of content ranks? (blog, product page, tool, video)
• What format? (listicle, how-to, comparison, guide)
• What length? (500 words or 5,000 words?)
• SERP features present? (Featured snippet, PAA, video carousel, local pack)

Step 2: Analyze top 3 results

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serp_analysis:
  keyword: "[target keyword]"
  serp_features:
    featured_snippet: "[yes/no — type if yes]"
    people_also_ask: "[list top 4 PAA questions]"
    video_carousel: "[yes/no]"
    local_pack: "[yes/no]"
    knowledge_panel: "[yes/no]"
  top_results:
    - position: 1
      url: "[URL]"
      title: "[Title tag]"
      content_type: "[blog | guide | tool | landing]"
      word_count: "[approximate]"
      strengths: "[what they do well]"
      gaps: "[what they miss that we can cover]"
    - position: 2
      # ...same structure
    - position: 3
      # ...same structure
  content_strategy:
    format: "[what format to use based on SERP]"
    angle: "[unique angle that fills gaps]"
    target_length: "[word count based on competitors]"
    featured_snippet_opportunity: "[yes/no — and how to target it]"

Step 3: Identify the content gap The gap is what makes your content worth ranking over what already exists:

• Missing depth on a subtopic
• No original data or examples
• Outdated information
• Poor user experience (wall of text, no visuals)
• Missing a specific audience perspective

Featured Snippet Optimization

If a featured snippet exists for your keyword, optimize for it:

E-E-A-T Signals

What E-E-A-T Means

E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) is Google's framework for evaluating content quality. It's not a direct ranking factor but influences how quality raters evaluate your site.

E-E-A-T Implementation Checklist

Content Level

• Author name and bio on every article
• Author has demonstrable expertise in the topic
• Content includes original data, examples, or case studies
• Sources are cited for factual claims
• Content is updated regularly (shows "last updated" date)
• Distinguishes between opinion and fact
• Acknowledges limitations or counterarguments

Site Level

• About page with company/team information
• Contact page with real contact information
• Privacy policy and terms of service
• HTTPS across all pages
• Clear editorial policy or content standards
• Author pages linking to their content

Technical E-E-A-T

• Schema markup for authors (Person schema)
• Schema markup for organization (Organization schema)
• Schema markup for articles (Article schema with author, datePublished, dateModified)
• Consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) if local business

E-E-A-T for AI-Generated Content

Google's stance: AI-generated content is fine IF it demonstrates E-E-A-T. The key is:

1. Human review — AI generates, human reviews and adds expertise
2. Experience layer — Add real examples, data, and case studies that AI can't fabricate
3. Transparency — Don't pretend AI content is human-written if it's not
4. Value test — Would this content exist if there were no search engines? If yes, it's probably valuable.

Link Building Strategy (Internal)

Internal Linking Rules

Internal links are the most underrated SEO lever — they're free, you control them, and they directly influence crawl behavior and authority distribution.

Core rules:

1. Every new page gets 3-5 internal links pointing to it within 48 hours

   • From the pillar page (if part of a cluster)
   • From related blog posts
   • From resource/guide pages

2. Anchor text distribution:

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   50% — Exact or partial keyword match
   30% — Descriptive / contextual phrase
   20% — Branded or generic ("this guide", "our analysis")
   

3. Link equity flow:

   • Homepage → Pillar pages → Spoke pages
   • High-traffic pages should link to strategic conversion pages
   • Don't dilute important pages with too many outbound internal links (max 100 per page as a guideline)

4. Orphan page audit:

   • Quarterly check: any page with 0 internal links pointing to it?
   • Fix immediately — orphan pages are effectively invisible to search engines

Internal Link Template

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internal_linking_plan:
  target_page:
    url: "[new page URL]"
    primary_keyword: "[target keyword]"
  inbound_links:
    - source_url: "[page linking TO the new page]"
      anchor_text: "[text used for the link]"
      context: "[paragraph where link is placed]"
      type: "[contextual | navigational | footer]"
  outbound_links:
    - target_url: "[page the new page links TO]"
      anchor_text: "[text used]"
      relevance: "[why this link makes sense for the reader]"

Technical SEO Essentials

Core Web Vitals

Schema Markup Priority

Crawl Budget Optimization

• Block irrelevant pages from indexing (filters, pagination, internal search results)
• Use XML sitemap with only valuable, indexable pages
• Fix crawl errors promptly (404s, 5xx errors)
• Ensure flat site architecture (max 3 clicks from homepage to any page)

SEO Content Calendar Template

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seo_content_calendar:
  month: "YYYY-MM"
  cluster: "[content cluster name]"
  items:
    - week: 1
      keyword: "[target keyword]"
      title: "[working title]"
      format: "[blog | guide | comparison | template]"
      intent: "[informational | commercial | transactional]"
      word_count_target: "[based on SERP analysis]"
      author: "[who writes]"
      status: "[planned | writing | review | published]"
      target_url: "[planned URL]"
      internal_links_from: ["[list of pages that will link to this]"]
      notes: "[any special considerations]"

Output Contract

SEO Content Schema

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output_contract:
  format: markdown
  required_sections:
    - frontmatter:
        type: string  # "seo-content"
        subtype: string  # "keyword-research" | "content-brief" | "on-page-audit" | "cluster-plan" | "serp-analysis"
        status: string  # "draft" | "review" | "approved"
        date: string  # ISO 8601
        author: string  # "growthOS/seo-growth"
        target_keyword: string  # primary keyword
        search_intent: string  # "informational" | "commercial" | "transactional"
    - seo_metadata:
        title_tag: string  # 50-60 chars
        meta_description: string  # 150-160 chars
        url_slug: string  # short, keyword-rich
        primary_keyword: string
        secondary_keywords: list
        target_word_count: integer
    - content:
        format: string  # matches SERP intent
        sections: list  # H2 outline with keywords mapped
        internal_links: list  # planned internal links
        schema_markup: string  # recommended schema type
    - competitive_context:
        serp_analysis: object  # top 3 competitors analyzed
        content_gap: string  # what unique angle we take
        featured_snippet_target: boolean
    - quality_gates:
        on_page_checklist_passed: boolean
        eeat_signals_present: boolean
        anti_slop_passed: boolean
        brand_voice_aligned: boolean
  validation:
    anti_slop: true
    brand_voice: true
    title_length: "50-60 chars"
    meta_description_length: "150-160 chars"
    min_internal_links: 3
    schema_markup_required: true