# SEO Outline

> Use to turn a target keyword (or keyword cluster) into an article outline that can rank. Produces target keyword, intent, top-ranking patterns, recommended outline with H2/H3, internal-link targets, and word-count target. Hands the outline to content-agent to write.

- Skill: `shyamw-cloud/seo-outline` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add shyamw-cloud/seo-outline`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/shyamw-cloud/seo-outline/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Marketing & Growth
- Author: shyamw-cloud (https://skillmd.com/u/shyamw-cloud)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/shyamw-cloud/seo-outline

---


# seo-outline

A ranking article does three things at once: matches the **search intent**, covers the topic at least as completely as the top results, and gives a reader something the top results don't.

## Inputs to gather

- **Target keyword** (or cluster of related keywords).
- **Existing pages** on the site that could be linked internally.
- **Domain authority** — high (can target competitive head terms) vs new (target long-tail first).
- **Brand voice doc** — link if one exists.

## Method

1. Identify **search intent**: informational, navigational, transactional, or commercial-investigation.
2. Look at the top 5 ranking pages. Note: their angle, their headers, their word count, their content format (listicle, how-to, ultimate guide, comparison).
3. Find the **content gap** — a sub-topic, framing, or proof they all miss.
4. Build an outline that covers the same ground *plus* the gap.
5. Plan internal links to existing site pages.

## Output format

```
## Target keyword
<keyword>  | intent: <type>  | competition: <low/med/high>  | suggested word count: <range>

## SERP analysis
| Rank | URL | Angle | Word count | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ... | ... | ... | ... |
| 2 | ... | ... | ... | ... |
| ... |

## Gap we'll exploit
<one paragraph: what we'll cover that the top results don't>

## Outline

# <H1: working title>

## <H2: section 1>
- key sentence
- key sentence
### <H3: subsection>
- key sentence

## <H2: section 2>
- key sentence

[continue for full outline — typically 5-8 H2 sections]

## Internal links to wire in
- [<anchor text>](<url-on-our-site>) — placement: section X
- [<anchor text>](<url-on-our-site>) — placement: section Y

## CTA for the article
<single specific CTA — newsletter, demo, asset download>

## Hand-off to content-agent
"Write a <word count> <format> targeting <keyword>, following the outline above. Voice: <preset>. Lead with <hook idea>."
```

## Hard rules

- Don't pad to hit a word count. The top result is the floor, not the ceiling.
- Don't keyword-stuff. Use the keyword in H1, intro, and one H2. Variants elsewhere.
- Never recommend an outline you couldn't write a credible draft of.