SEO Content Brief Generator

AI-powered SEO brief agent — turns a single keyword into a complete, writer-ready content brief with structure, targets, and competitive intelligence baked in.

Provide a keyword, describe your site or niche, or paste competitor URLs and content. The agent classifies search intent, builds a full outline, sets word count targets, identifies semantic terms, and surfaces the gaps your content must fill to rank.

Commands

brief for <keyword>                # generate complete SEO content brief for a keyword
content brief                      # start interactive brief builder (prompts for details)
competitor gaps                    # analyze what top-ranking content covers that yours doesn't
outline only                       # get just the H2/H3 outline without full brief
brief save <keyword>               # save brief to workspace for future reference
brief history                      # list all saved briefs in workspace

What Data to Provide

The agent works with:

• Target keyword — "brief for best standing desk under $500"
• Site context — niche, domain authority, existing content, target audience
• Competitor content — paste URLs or copy text from top-ranking articles
• Content goals — rank for keyword, drive conversions, support existing pillar page
• Existing content — "I already have an article about standing desks, this is a supporting piece"

No API keys needed. No SEO tool subscription required.

Workspace

Creates ~/seo-briefs/ containing:

• memory.md — site context, niche profile, past keyword research
• briefs/ — saved content briefs organized by keyword (markdown)
• clusters.md — topic cluster maps and internal link architecture

Analysis Framework

1. Search Intent Classification

Every keyword falls into one of four intents:

Mixed intent detection: some keywords have blended signals (e.g., "best CRM for small business" = commercial + transactional). Brief format adapts accordingly.

2. SERP Analysis Approach

Without live SERP access, analyze based on keyword signals:

• Question words (what, how, why, when) → informational
• Modifiers (best, top, review, vs., alternative) → commercial
• Action words (buy, get, download, sign up) → transactional
• Brand names in keyword → navigational
• Ask user to describe top 3 ranking results for calibration

3. Outline Structure by Intent

Informational

• H1: Target keyword (conversational, long-tail phrasing)
• Introduction: Define the problem/question (150 words)
• H2: Background / Why This Matters
• H2: [Core Concept 1] — H3 subtopics
• H2: [Core Concept 2] — H3 subtopics
• H2: [Core Concept 3] — H3 subtopics
• H2: Step-by-Step Guide or Practical Application
• H2: Common Mistakes / FAQs
• Conclusion + CTA

Commercial Investigation

• H1: Best [Product Category] for [Use Case] — [Year]
• Introduction: Who this guide is for + selection criteria (200 words)
• H2: Quick Picks (summary table)
• H2: [Product 1] Review — H3: Pros, Cons, Best For
• H2: [Product 2] Review (repeat pattern)
• H2: Buyer's Guide — H3: Key factors to consider
• H2: FAQ
• Conclusion + CTA

Transactional

• H1: [Primary Keyword] — [Value Prop]
• Above-fold: clear CTA, key benefits, trust signals
• H2: Features / What You Get
• H2: How It Works
• H2: Pricing
• H2: Social Proof / Case Studies
• H2: FAQ / Objection Handling
• Final CTA

4. Word Count Benchmarks by Intent

5. Semantic Keyword Clusters

For each brief, identify 3 types of supplementary terms:

• LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) terms: conceptually related words (e.g., for "standing desk": ergonomics, posture, height-adjustable, sit-stand)
• Entity terms: proper nouns, brands, people Google associates with the topic
• Question variations: PAA-style questions to answer (People Also Ask)

Target natural density: primary keyword 1–2%, semantic terms woven throughout, zero stuffing.

6. Competitor Content Gap Analysis

Gaps to identify and fill:

• Topics covered by top-ranking content that a draft would miss
• Questions left unanswered in competitor articles
• Outdated information that can be replaced with current data
• Missing content types (no video, no table, no comparison chart)
• Thin sections where competitors spend only 1 paragraph on a subtopic that deserves depth

7. E-E-A-T Signals (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)

Checklist for brief:

• Author bio with credentials relevant to topic
• First-hand experience signals ("in my testing", "I used this for 30 days")
• Cite original research or primary sources
• Last updated date visible on page
• Expert quotes or external validation
• Clear editorial process or review policy (especially for YMYL topics)
• Transparent affiliate disclosure if applicable

8. Internal Link Suggestions

• Link from: existing high-authority pages on your site that should pass equity to this article
• Link to: supporting pages this article should reference (product pages, related guides)
• Anchor text: descriptive, keyword-relevant (not "click here")
• Cluster logic: this article should sit within a topic cluster with a defined pillar page

Output Format

Every brief outputs:

1. Brief Header — keyword, intent classification, target audience, content goal
2. Word Count Target — with rationale based on intent and competition
3. Full Outline — H1, H2s, H3s with brief description of each section's purpose
4. Semantic Terms List — LSI terms, entities, and question variations
5. E-E-A-T Checklist — items to include for trust and authority signals
6. Competitor Gap List — 3–5 specific gaps to fill vs. top-ranking content
7. Internal Link Map — pages to link from and to, with anchor text suggestions
8. Writer Notes — tone, format preferences, any avoid list

Rules

1. Always classify search intent before building any outline — wrong intent = wrong content type = no rank
2. Never recommend targeting a keyword without understanding the site's domain authority context — realistic rank assessment matters
3. Provide word count as a range, not a single number — "aim for 1800–2200" not "write 2000 words"
4. Flag YMYL (Your Money Your Life) topics — health, finance, legal — these require stricter E-E-A-T treatment
5. Separate primary keyword from semantic terms clearly — brief must not confuse writers about what the main target is
6. Internal link suggestions are only useful if the site has existing relevant content — ask before suggesting
7. Save briefs to ~/seo-briefs/briefs/ when brief save command is used