SEO Content: Content Optimization
Guides on-page content optimization: word count, heading keywords, keyword density vs stuffing, multimedia, tables, and lists. Complements seo-on-page-heading (structure) and seo-content-content-strategy (planning).
When invoking: On first use, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On subsequent use or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output.
Scope
- Word count: Length by content type; quality over length
- H2 keywords: Placement, quantity, variation
- Keyword density vs stuffing: Natural use; avoid manipulation
- Multimedia: Images, tables, lists for structure and Featured Snippets
Initial Assessment
Check for product marketing context first: If .claude/product-marketing-context.md or .cursor/product-marketing-context.md exists, read it for target keywords and content type.
Identify:
- Content type: Article, guide, listicle, pillar, news
- Target keyword: Primary and secondary
- Competitors: Top 10 average length and structure
Word Count
Google does not rank by word count. Length should match search intent and topic depth. A 1,000-word post that satisfies intent can outrank a 3,000-word thin piece.
Reference Ranges by Content Type
| Content type |
Word count |
Notes |
| News / announcements |
300–600 |
Time-sensitive; concise |
| Standard articles / how-tos |
1,000–1,500 |
Single topic; actionable |
| Listicles / guides |
1,200–2,000 |
"Top 10," "Best X" |
| Pillar / cornerstone |
2,000–3,500+ |
Comprehensive; cluster hub |
| Competitive keywords |
2,000–2,500 |
Top 10 avg ~2,400 words |
Strategy
- Analyze top 10 for target keyword — average length and depth
- Match intent — informational often needs ~40% longer than transactional
- Value over padding — each section must add genuine value; avoid fluff
- Comprehensive coverage — answer the query and related questions
H2 Heading Keywords
Placement
- Primary keyword: Include naturally in at least one H2 when relevant
- Related keywords: Use LSI and long-tail in other H2s for topical coverage
- Avoid stuffing: Headings must stay clear and readable; organic placement only
Quantity
- No strict limit — one H2 per major section; structure follows content
- Typical article: 4–8 H2s; pillar: 8–15+ H2s
- Hierarchy: H1 → H2 (major sections) → H3 (subsections); don't skip levels
Best Practices
| Practice |
Purpose |
| Descriptive H2s |
Search engines understand context; users scan |
| Answer-first |
Place direct answer in first 40–50 words after H2 for Featured Snippets |
| Keyword variation |
Use related terms; avoid repeating exact phrase in every H2 |
| Logical flow |
H2s outline the article; support topical authority |
Keyword Density vs Keyword Stuffing
Definitions
| Term |
Meaning |
| Keyword density |
(Keyword count / Total words) × 100; a metric, not a ranking factor |
| Keyword stuffing |
Excessive, unnatural repetition to manipulate rankings; black-hat |
Current Guidance
- Keyword density is not a direct ranking factor — Google has stated since 2011 that repetition alone doesn't improve rankings
- Reference range: 0.5%–1.5% for most content; some sources cite up to 2.5%
- Use density mainly to avoid stuffing — if density exceeds ~2–3% and reads unnaturally, reduce
- Prioritize natural placement: title, H1, first 100 words, 1–2 H2s, body; avoid forced repetition
How to Avoid Stuffing
- Write for users first; keywords should fit naturally
- Use synonyms, related terms, and question phrasing
- If a sentence sounds awkward with the keyword, rewrite
- Monitor: if every paragraph repeats the exact phrase, simplify
Multimedia: Images, Tables, Lists
Images
| Practice |
Purpose |
| Alt text |
Descriptive; include keyword when natural; accessibility |
| File names |
Descriptive (e.g. seo-checklist-2025.jpg) |
| Compression |
WebP; optimize for LCP |
| Captions |
Relevant to topic; can support Featured Snippets |
| Original over stock |
Unique images signal E-E-A-T |
Tables
- Use for: Comparisons, stats, specs, "X vs Y"
- Semantic HTML:
<table>, <thead>, <tbody>, clear column headers
- Featured Snippets: ~6% of snippets are tables; optimize headers with target keywords
- Mobile: Responsive; avoid horizontal scroll when possible
- Data quality: No empty cells; consistent units; accurate, current data
Lists: Ordered vs Unordered
| Type |
Use case |
SEO / Snippet |
Ordered (<ol>) |
Steps, rankings, sequences, "Top 10" |
List snippets (~19% of Featured Snippets); how-to |
Unordered (<ul>) |
Non-sequential items, features, options |
Bullet snippets; definitions, options |
Best practices:
- Use semantic
<ol> and <ul>; avoid divs styled as lists
- Answer-first: For snippet targets, put the direct answer in the first 40–50 words after the heading
- Concise items: List items should be scannable; expand in body if needed
- Logical order: Ordered lists = sequence matters; unordered = no sequence
GEO / AI Citation
- Answer-first: Direct answer in first 40–60 words after H2; increases AI citation ~35%
- TL;DR or Key Takeaways: Choose one — 50–100 word summary or 5–7 bullet points; supports GEO
- QAE pattern: Question (H2) → Answer (2 sentences) → Evidence (data, lists, examples)
- See pages-article for full GEO section; strategies-geo for GEO strategy
Featured Snippet Formats
| Format |
Share |
Use |
| Paragraph |
~70% |
40–50 words; direct answer after H2 |
| List |
~19% |
<ol> or <ul>; how-to, steps, options |
| Table |
~6% |
Comparisons, stats, specs |
Output Format
- Word count recommendation by content type
- H2 outline with keyword placement
- Keyword density check (avoid stuffing)
- Structure (tables, lists) for Featured Snippet opportunity
- Multimedia checklist (images, alt, captions)
Related Skills
- seo-on-page-heading: H1–H6 hierarchy; this skill covers H2 keyword placement and quantity
- seo-content-content-strategy: Topic clusters, pillar + cluster; this skill covers on-page optimization
- seo-content-keyword-research: Target keywords inform placement
- pages-article: Article structure, GEO (TL;DR, key takeaways, QAE)
- strategies-geo: GEO strategy; AI citation optimization
- components-toc: TOC built from H2–H3; supports snippet structure
1---2name: seo-content-optimization3description: When the user wants to optimize content for SEO—word count, H2 keywords, keyword density, multimedia, tables, lists. Also use when the user mentions "content length," "word count," "keyword stuffing," "H2 keywords," "tables," "bullet points," or "content structure."4---5
6# SEO Content: Content Optimization
7
8Guides on-page content optimization: word count, heading keywords, keyword density vs stuffing, multimedia, tables, and lists. Complements **seo-on-page-heading** (structure) and **seo-content-content-strategy** (planning).
9
10**When invoking**: On **first use**, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On **subsequent use** or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output.
11
12## Scope
13
14- **Word count**: Length by content type; quality over length
15- **H2 keywords**: Placement, quantity, variation
16- **Keyword density vs stuffing**: Natural use; avoid manipulation
17- **Multimedia**: Images, tables, lists for structure and Featured Snippets
18
19## Initial Assessment
20
21**Check for product marketing context first:** If `.claude/product-marketing-context.md` or `.cursor/product-marketing-context.md` exists, read it for target keywords and content type.
22
23Identify:
241. **Content type**: Article, guide, listicle, pillar, news
252. **Target keyword**: Primary and secondary
263. **Competitors**: Top 10 average length and structure
27
28---
29
30## Word Count
31
32**Google does not rank by word count.** Length should match search intent and topic depth. A 1,000-word post that satisfies intent can outrank a 3,000-word thin piece.
33
34### Reference Ranges by Content Type
35
36| Content type | Word count | Notes |
37|--------------|-------------|-------|
38| **News / announcements** | 300–600 | Time-sensitive; concise |
39| **Standard articles / how-tos** | 1,000–1,500 | Single topic; actionable |
40| **Listicles / guides** | 1,200–2,000 | "Top 10," "Best X" |
41| **Pillar / cornerstone** | 2,000–3,500+ | Comprehensive; cluster hub |
42| **Competitive keywords** | 2,000–2,500 | Top 10 avg ~2,400 words |
43
44### Strategy
45
461. **Analyze top 10** for target keyword — average length and depth
472. **Match intent** — informational often needs ~40% longer than transactional
483. **Value over padding** — each section must add genuine value; avoid fluff
494. **Comprehensive coverage** — answer the query and related questions
50
51---
52
53## H2 Heading Keywords
54
55### Placement
56
57- **Primary keyword**: Include naturally in at least one H2 when relevant
58- **Related keywords**: Use LSI and long-tail in other H2s for topical coverage
59- **Avoid stuffing**: Headings must stay clear and readable; organic placement only
60
61### Quantity
62
63- **No strict limit** — one H2 per major section; structure follows content
64- **Typical article**: 4–8 H2s; pillar: 8–15+ H2s
65- **Hierarchy**: H1 → H2 (major sections) → H3 (subsections); don't skip levels
66
67### Best Practices
68
69| Practice | Purpose |
70|----------|---------|
71| **Descriptive H2s** | Search engines understand context; users scan |
72| **Answer-first** | Place direct answer in first 40–50 words after H2 for Featured Snippets |
73| **Keyword variation** | Use related terms; avoid repeating exact phrase in every H2 |
74| **Logical flow** | H2s outline the article; support topical authority |
75
76---
77
78## Keyword Density vs Keyword Stuffing
79
80### Definitions
81
82| Term | Meaning |
83|------|---------|
84| **Keyword density** | (Keyword count / Total words) × 100; a metric, not a ranking factor |
85| **Keyword stuffing** | Excessive, unnatural repetition to manipulate rankings; black-hat |
86
87### Current Guidance
88
89- **Keyword density is not a direct ranking factor** — Google has stated since 2011 that repetition alone doesn't improve rankings
90- **Reference range**: 0.5%–1.5% for most content; some sources cite up to 2.5%
91- **Use density mainly to avoid stuffing** — if density exceeds ~2–3% and reads unnaturally, reduce
92- **Prioritize natural placement**: title, H1, first 100 words, 1–2 H2s, body; avoid forced repetition
93
94### How to Avoid Stuffing
95
96- Write for users first; keywords should fit naturally
97- Use synonyms, related terms, and question phrasing
98- If a sentence sounds awkward with the keyword, rewrite
99- Monitor: if every paragraph repeats the exact phrase, simplify
100
101---
102
103## Multimedia: Images, Tables, Lists
104
105### Images
106
107| Practice | Purpose |
108|----------|---------|
109| **Alt text** | Descriptive; include keyword when natural; accessibility |
110| **File names** | Descriptive (e.g. `seo-checklist-2025.jpg`) |
111| **Compression** | WebP; optimize for LCP |
112| **Captions** | Relevant to topic; can support Featured Snippets |
113| **Original over stock** | Unique images signal E-E-A-T |
114
115### Tables
116
117- **Use for**: Comparisons, stats, specs, "X vs Y"
118- **Semantic HTML**: `<table>`, `<thead>`, `<tbody>`, clear column headers
119- **Featured Snippets**: ~6% of snippets are tables; optimize headers with target keywords
120- **Mobile**: Responsive; avoid horizontal scroll when possible
121- **Data quality**: No empty cells; consistent units; accurate, current data
122
123### Lists: Ordered vs Unordered
124
125| Type | Use case | SEO / Snippet |
126|------|----------|---------------|
127| **Ordered (`<ol>`)** | Steps, rankings, sequences, "Top 10" | List snippets (~19% of Featured Snippets); how-to |
128| **Unordered (`<ul>`)** | Non-sequential items, features, options | Bullet snippets; definitions, options |
129
130**Best practices**:
131- Use semantic `<ol>` and `<ul>`; avoid divs styled as lists
132- **Answer-first**: For snippet targets, put the direct answer in the first 40–50 words after the heading
133- **Concise items**: List items should be scannable; expand in body if needed
134- **Logical order**: Ordered lists = sequence matters; unordered = no sequence
135
136### GEO / AI Citation
137
138- **Answer-first**: Direct answer in first 40–60 words after H2; increases AI citation ~35%
139- **TL;DR or Key Takeaways**: Choose one — 50–100 word summary *or* 5–7 bullet points; supports GEO
140- **QAE pattern**: Question (H2) → Answer (2 sentences) → Evidence (data, lists, examples)
141- See **pages-article** for full GEO section; **strategies-geo** for GEO strategy
142
143### Featured Snippet Formats
144
145| Format | Share | Use |
146|--------|-------|-----|
147| **Paragraph** | ~70% | 40–50 words; direct answer after H2 |
148| **List** | ~19% | `<ol>` or `<ul>`; how-to, steps, options |
149| **Table** | ~6% | Comparisons, stats, specs |
150
151---
152
153## Output Format
154
155- **Word count** recommendation by content type
156- **H2 outline** with keyword placement
157- **Keyword density** check (avoid stuffing)
158- **Structure** (tables, lists) for Featured Snippet opportunity
159- **Multimedia** checklist (images, alt, captions)
160
161## Related Skills
162
163- **seo-on-page-heading**: H1–H6 hierarchy; this skill covers H2 keyword placement and quantity
164- **seo-content-content-strategy**: Topic clusters, pillar + cluster; this skill covers on-page optimization
165- **seo-content-keyword-research**: Target keywords inform placement
166- **pages-article**: Article structure, GEO (TL;DR, key takeaways, QAE)
167- **strategies-geo**: GEO strategy; AI citation optimization
168- **components-toc**: TOC built from H2–H3; supports snippet structure
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