clanker25 Content Cluster Skill
Description
Activate this skill when the user wants to build topical authority around a subject by mapping out a pillar page and its supporting cluster articles. Trigger phrases include: "build a content cluster", "create a topic map", "content pillar strategy", "what should I write about for [topic]", "cluster: [topic]", "generate a content strategy for [niche]".
Input Format
{
"pillar_topic": "string — the main subject to build authority around",
"primary_keyword": "string — the keyword the pillar page targets",
"target_audience": "string — who this content is for",
"existing_content": ["string — titles of pages/posts already published"],
"target_keywords": ["string — additional keywords to work into the cluster"],
"cluster_size": "integer — foundational pages to generate, 5–10, default 10",
"search_intent_evidence": "string — optional browser/API research",
"conversion_goal": "string — what the content should move readers to do"
}
For a new website, produce 5–10 foundational pages, defaulting to 10 only when there are at least 10 distinct, defensible search intents. Do not create near-duplicate pages to hit the default. Every page must solve a problem, own a query, and lead to a relevant product or next step.
Output Structure
The skill must always produce output in this exact format:
## Pillar Page
| Field | Value |
|--------------------|--------------------------------------------|
| Title | [Pillar page title with primary keyword] |
| Primary Keyword | [keyword] |
| Search Intent | informational / transactional / commercial |
| Target Audience | [audience] |
| Page Type | Pillar — comprehensive, high-level guide |
| Word Count Target | 2500–4000 words |
| AEO Priority | High — this page anchors the whole cluster |
---
## Cluster Articles
### Priority 1 — Write These First
These articles build the foundation. High search volume, clear intent.
| # | Title | Target Keyword | Intent | Content Type | Links To |
|---|------------------------------|----------------------|-----------------|------------------|------------------|
| 1 | [Article title] | [keyword] | informational | how-to guide | Pillar Page |
| 2 | [Article title] | [keyword] | informational | explainer | Pillar Page |
| 3 | [Article title] | [keyword] | commercial | comparison | Pillar Page |
---
### Priority 2 — Write These Second
These deepen authority. Medium volume, long-tail focus.
| # | Title | Target Keyword | Intent | Content Type | Links To |
|---|------------------------------|----------------------|-----------------|------------------|------------------|
| 4 | [Article title] | [keyword] | informational | listicle | Art. 1, Pillar |
| 5 | [Article title] | [keyword] | transactional | case study | Art. 3, Pillar |
| 6 | [Article title] | [keyword] | informational | FAQ page | Art. 1, Art. 2 |
---
### Priority 3 — Write These Last
Long-tail reinforcement. Lower volume, high conversion intent.
| # | Title | Target Keyword | Intent | Content Type | Links To |
|---|------------------------------|----------------------|-----------------|------------------|------------------|
| 7 | [Article title] | [keyword] | transactional | review | Pillar Page |
| 8 | [Article title] | [keyword] | informational | glossary | Art. 2, Art. 4 |
---
## Internal Link Map
Pillar Page
├── Article 1 → links back to Pillar
├── Article 2 → links back to Pillar
├── Article 3 → links back to Pillar, links to Article 1
├── Article 4 → links to Article 1, Pillar
├── Article 5 → links to Article 3, Pillar
├── Article 6 → links to Article 1, Article 2
├── Article 7 → links to Pillar
└── Article 8 → links to Article 2, Article 4
Rule: Every cluster article must link back to the Pillar Page.
Rule: No orphan articles — every article links to at least one other article.
## Foundational Page Plan
| # | Page / Article | Problem Solved | Primary Query | Intent | Product CTA | Supporting Links |
|---|----------------|----------------|---------------|--------|-------------|------------------|
| 1 | [title] | [problem] | [query] | [intent] | [CTA] | [targets] |
Use this section for the first publishing wave. The landing page, foundational pages, and later cluster articles must not compete for the same intent.
## 20-Day Editorial Calendar
| Day | Topic / Title | Target Query | Search Intent | Article Format | Internal Link Target | External Distribution Candidate |
|-----|---------------|--------------|---------------|----------------|----------------------|--------------------------------|
| 1 | [title] | [query] | [intent] | [format] | [page] | [Medium/Hashnode/dev.to/other] |
Create 20 distinct topics after the foundation is mapped. Prefer topics that answer real questions, solve problems, support the product, and can be linked back to a foundational page.
---
## Content Gap Analysis
Topics the cluster covers that competitors likely miss:
- [Gap 1 — underserved angle on the pillar topic]
- [Gap 2 — long-tail question with no strong existing answer]
- [Gap 3 — AEO opportunity: question AI engines commonly surface]
Topics to deliberately exclude from this cluster
(belong to a different cluster):
- [Out-of-scope topic 1]
- [Out-of-scope topic 2]
---
## AEO Cluster Signals
At least 2 cluster articles must be structured as direct-answer pages:
- One FAQ page targeting 8–10 questions around the pillar topic
- One "What Is" explainer with a clean definition as the opening sentence
These two articles have the highest probability of being
extracted by AI engines.
---
## Cluster Health Checklist
- [ ] Pillar page defined with clear keyword and intent
- [ ] 5–10 foundational pages generated, default 10 when justified
- [ ] Every article has a unique target keyword (no overlap)
- [ ] Every article assigned a content type
- [ ] Every article linked back to the Pillar Page
- [ ] No orphan articles in the link map
- [ ] At least one FAQ page in the cluster
- [ ] At least one comparison or case study article
- [ ] Content gap section completed
- [ ] Every foundational page has a distinct search intent and conversion path
- [ ] 20-day editorial calendar completed without cannibalizing existing pages
Content Types Available
When assigning content types, use only from this list:
| Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| how-to guide | step-by-step processes |
| explainer | concept definitions and overviews |
| listicle | roundups, tools, resources |
| comparison | X vs Y, best options |
| case study | real-world application, results |
| FAQ page | question clusters, AEO targeting |
| review | product or service evaluation |
| glossary | terminology, definitions, long-tail keywords |
| opinion/take | thought leadership, contrarian angles |
Execution Steps
- Read
existing_content— mark any titles that already exist so the cluster doesn't duplicate them - Identify the pillar topic's full semantic territory — what questions, angles, and sub-topics surround it
- Run a content gap pass — what angles are underserved or missing entirely in this space
- Assign each subtopic a unique keyword with no overlap between articles or with the pillar keyword
- Classify each subtopic's search intent before assigning content type
- Sort all subtopics into Priority 1, 2, and 3 tiers based on search volume and foundational relevance
- Build the 5–10-page foundational plan before expanding to the 20-day calendar
- Build the internal link map — verify no orphan articles exist
- Flag the 2 highest AEO-opportunity articles in the cluster
- Complete the content gap section and editorial calendar before outputting
Connected Skills
- Receives output from:
seo-aeo-keyword-research - Feeds output to:
seo-aeo-blog-writer,seo-aeo-internal-linking
When to Use
Use when planning a pillar page, foundational pages, and supporting articles around a product, service, or topic.
Limitations
- A content map is a prioritisation aid, not measured demand or a guarantee that every proposed topic will rank.