I've been doing SEO work alongside product for two years. These 10 prompts handle the repetitive parts — keyword research, content briefs, meta tags, internal linking maps — so I can spend time on strategy instead of formatting.
Each prompt follows the same structure: Role → Context → Constraints → Output. Run each one 3 times with the same inputs and pick the best output. Cut anything that sounds generic.
📦 The full library: I've open-sourced 200+ tested AI prompts covering SaaS marketing, developer productivity, and startup operations. The SaaS Marketing Copy Pack includes 25 prompts specifically for SEO and content marketing work.
1. Keyword Clustering (Not Just Grouping)
Most tools dump a list of 500 keywords. This prompt clusters them by search intent — so you build one page per cluster, not one page per keyword.
Role: You are an SEO strategist who has built content strategies for SaaS companies ranking for 50k+ monthly searches.
Context: I have this list of keywords (paste below). Each has search volume and CPC.
Constraints:
- Group keywords into clusters where ONE page could rank for ALL keywords in the cluster
- Base clusters on shared search intent, not just shared words
- Maximum 8 keywords per cluster
- Name each cluster with the primary keyword (highest volume)
- Flag any keyword that doesn't fit a cluster (orphan)
Output: A table with columns: Cluster Name | Primary Keyword | Secondary Keywords | Combined Volume | Search Intent (informational/commercial/transactional/navigational)
Keywords:
[paste your keyword list with volumes]
Why it works: It forces the model to think about intent, not string matching. "Best CRM software" and "CRM software reviews" land in different clusters because one is commercial and one is informational.
2. Search Intent Diagnosis (From the SERP)
When you're not sure whether to write a blog post or build a landing page, this prompt reverse-engineers intent from what's already ranking.
Role: You are an SEO analyst who diagnoses search intent from SERP composition.
Context: Here are the top 10 results for the query "[your target keyword]". For each, I've provided the title, URL type (blog/landing page/product/docs/video/forum), and content format.
Constraints:
- Identify the dominant intent (what does the searcher want to DO?)
- Identify the content format that ranks (listicle, tutorial, comparison, tool, definition)
- Flag if the SERP is mixed-intent (hard to rank for)
- Recommend the content type I should create
Output:
1. Dominant intent: [one sentence]
2. Content format that ranks: [format]
3. SERP difficulty signal: [homogeneous/mixed]
4. Recommended content type: [what to build]
5. What NOT to do: [what would fail]
Top 10 results:
[paste titles + URL types]
Why it works: It stops you from writing a 2,000-word guide when the SERP is all free tools. The output tells you what format wins before you invest in content.
3. Content Brief Generator (For Writers)
This is the prompt I use most. It turns a target keyword into a brief a writer can execute without follow-up questions.
Role: You are a senior content editor who writes briefs that leave zero ambiguity.
Context: I need a content brief for a [word count]-word article targeting the keyword "[primary keyword]". Secondary keywords: [list]. Audience: [persona].
Constraints:
- Include a working title (under 60 characters)
- Include the search intent (one line)
- Include a suggested H1 and 5-7 H2 sections in order
- For each H2, provide a 1-sentence description of what it covers
- Include 3-5 entities/topics that MUST be mentioned (for topical authority)
- Include recommended internal links (from [your site] pages you list)
- Include word count range per section
- Include a suggested meta description (under 155 characters, includes primary keyword)
- Do NOT write the article. Write the brief only.
Output: A structured content brief ready to hand to a writer.
[Your existing pages for internal linking:]
[paste URLs]
Why it works: The "entities/topics that MUST be mentioned" constraint is the secret sauce. It ensures topical coverage that search engines reward, and the writer doesn't have to guess.
4. Meta Description Writer (That Doesn't Sound Like SEO)
Meta descriptions written by AI usually sound like meta descriptions written by AI. This prompt fixes that.
Role: You are a conversion copywriter who writes meta descriptions that sound like a human recommending a page, not an SEO stuffing keywords.
Context: Here is the page [title and URL]. The primary keyword is [keyword]. The page helps people [one-sentence value prop].
Constraints:
- Exactly 150-155 characters (count carefully — include spaces)
- Include the primary keyword naturally in the first 80 characters
- Include ONE specific benefit or differentiator (not generic)
- End with an action verb or implied next step
- Do NOT use: "Learn more", "Discover", "In this article", "Comprehensive guide", exclamation marks
- Write 5 options
Output: 5 numbered meta descriptions, each with a character count.
[Page content summary:]
[paste first 200 words of the page]
Why it works: The banned phrases list ("Learn more", "Discover", "Comprehensive guide") kills the SEO-stink. The character count constraint forces precision. The 5 options let you pick the least generic.
5. SERP Gap Analysis (What Competitors Missed)
This prompt finds the content gaps in the top-ranking pages — the topics they forgot to cover that you can include to outrank them.
Role: You are an SEO content strategist who finds gaps in competitor content.
Context: I want to outrank the top 5 results for "[target keyword]". Here are their H2 headings and a summary of what each covers.
Constraints:
- Identify topics/subtopics that 3+ competitors cover (table stakes — I must include these)
- Identify topics/subtopics that only 1-2 competitors cover (differentiation opportunities)
- Identify topics/subtopics that NONE cover (gap opportunities — high value)
- For each gap, explain WHY it matters to the searcher
- Rank gaps by impact (high/medium/low)
Output: A table with columns: Topic | Covered By (N of 5) | Gap Type | Why It Matters | Impact
Competitor H2s:
[paste top 5 results' headings]
Why it works: It separates "table stakes" from "differentiation" from "gap." You know exactly which sections are non-negotiable and which ones will help you win. The "NONE cover" rows are gold.
6. Internal Linking Map (From Your Existing Content)
Internal linking is the highest-ROI SEO activity that nobody does because it's tedious. This prompt maps it out.
Role: You are a technical SEO who builds internal linking architecture.
Context: I have these pages on my site. I just published a new page: "[new page URL and title]". Here are all my existing pages with their target keywords.
Constraints:
- Identify which existing pages should link TO the new page (relevance-based)
- Identify which existing pages the new page should link FROM (contextual fit)
- For each link, provide the exact anchor text (natural, varied, under 5 words)
- Prioritize pages with authority (older, more backlinked — flag if known)
- Maximum 1 internal link per 300 words on the new page
- Flag any orphan pages (pages with zero internal links)
Output: Two tables:
Table 1 — Links TO new page: Existing Page | Suggested Anchor Text | Why
Table 2 — Links FROM new page: Target Page | Suggested Anchor Text | Context
Existing pages:
[paste URLs + target keywords]
New page content:
[paste outline or summary]
Why it works: It provides exact anchor text (the hardest part of internal linking) and flags orphan pages. The 1-link-per-300-words constraint prevents over-optimization penalties.
7. Title Tag Optimizer (For Existing Pages)
For pages that already rank but could rank higher. This prompt rewrites title tags without losing the current ranking signal.
Role: You are an SEO who optimizes title tags for pages that already rank on page 1-2 and need a push to the top 3.
Context: This page currently ranks #[position] for "[keyword]". Current title tag: "[current title]". Current CTR: [if known].
Constraints:
- Keep the primary keyword in the first 30 characters
- Total length 50-60 characters (count exactly)
- Power words allowed: Complete, Proven, Ultimate, Essential, Definitive (max 1 per title)
- Numbers allowed (e.g., "7 Ways", "2026 Guide")
- Do NOT change the keyword itself
- Do NOT use clickbait the content can't support
- Provide 5 options ranked by predicted CTR improvement
Output: 5 title tags, each with character count, keyword position, and a 1-line rationale.
Current page content (first 150 words):
[paste]
Why it works: The constraint to keep the keyword in the first 30 characters protects your existing ranking. The 5 ranked options let you test. The "don't use clickbait the content can't support" constraint prevents bounce-rate damage.
8. FAQ Schema Generator (For Rich Results)
FAQ schema can win rich-result snippets. This prompt generates the schema markup AND the visible FAQs from your content.
Role: You are an SEO who builds FAQ schema that wins rich results without keyword stuffing.
Context: Here is a page about [topic]. I want to add 5 FAQs with schema markup.
Constraints:
- Write 5 questions a searcher would actually ask (based on "People Also Ask" patterns)
- Each answer: 40-60 words, direct, no fluff
- Include the target keyword in at most 2 of 5 answers (avoid stuffing)
- Output valid JSON-LD schema (FAQPage type)
- Also output the visible HTML (details/summary elements)
Output:
1. 5 Q&A pairs (visible HTML)
2. JSON-LD schema block (for the page head)
Page content:
[paste full text or key sections]
Target keyword: [keyword]
Why it works: The 40-60 word answer constraint matches what Google typically shows in snippets. The "keyword in at most 2 of 5" constraint prevents over-optimization signals.
9. Competitor Backlink Opportunity Finder
Role: You are a link-building strategist who finds backlink opportunities by analyzing competitor link profiles.
Context: My competitor [domain] has these backlinks (from [tool]). My domain is [your domain]. My content covers [topics].
Constraints:
- Filter for referring pages that are relevant to my content (not random)
- Prioritize by domain authority if provided
- For each opportunity, suggest the outreach angle (why would they link to me instead?)
- Flag links that are likely paid or PBN (low quality)
- Maximum 15 opportunities
Output: A table with columns: Referring Domain | DA | Their Linked Page | My Equivalent Page | Outreach Angle | Priority
Competitor backlinks:
[paste export]
Why it works: The "outreach angle" column is the differentiator. Most backlink tools just list URLs — this prompt tells you WHY they'd link to you and WHAT page to pitch.
10. Content Decay Detector (For Existing Pages)
Pages that used to rank and are slipping. This prompt helps diagnose why and what to update.
Role: You are an SEO who audits declining pages and recommends targeted updates.
Context: This page was published [date] and ranked #[old position] for "[keyword]". It now ranks #[current position]. Traffic dropped [X]%. Here is the current content.
Constraints:
- Identify likely causes of decline (freshness, new competitors, intent shift, content quality, technical issues)
- Recommend specific updates (not "add more content" — what SPECIFICALLY to add)
- Flag if the page should be consolidated, redirected, or rewritten
- Prioritize recommendations by expected impact
Output:
1. Likely causes (ranked)
2. Recommended updates (specific, actionable)
3. Decision: update / consolidate / redirect / rewrite
Current content:
[paste]
SERP changes (if known):
[paste what's now ranking]
Why it works: "Add more content" is useless advice. This prompt forces specific recommendations — "add a comparison table because 3 new competitors now have one" — and gives you a clear decision framework.
How I Test These Prompts
- Run 3 times with the same inputs. If all 3 outputs are different quality, the prompt needs tightening.
- Generalize — take a prompt that works for SEO and swap "SEO" for "content marketing" or "PPC" to see if the structure holds.
- Read outputs aloud. If it sounds like SEO-speak, tighten the banned-words list.
- Cut anything generic. If the output could apply to any keyword without modification, the prompt is too loose.
The Full Prompt Library
These 10 prompts are a subset of a larger system I built for running SEO and content work with AI:
- Developer Product-Launch Prompt Pack ($9) — 7 prompts for shipping products (launch tweets, README intros, changelogs)
- SaaS Marketing Copy Prompt Pack ($49) — 25 prompts for marketing copy, including SEO meta descriptions, landing pages, and ad creative
- Developer Productivity Prompt Library ($49) — 30 prompts for dev workflows
- AI Startup Operations Prompt System ($199) — 50+ prompts for running a startup with AI
- AI Business Transformation Playbook ($999) — 100+ prompts, 12 workflows, the complete system
If you want a prompt system built for your specific business — your products, your audience, your workflows — I build custom AI prompt systems starting at $299. One-time cost, yours forever.
What SEO prompts have worked for you? I'm always testing new ones and updating the library.
Top comments (0)