SEO content fails when writers optimize for keywords but miss intent, structure, and E-E-A-T signals. These prompt templates encode search strategy into repeatable steps you can run in any major LLM.
Build custom variants on Generate a prompt, or chain templates with the blog workflow in How to Write Blog Posts with GPT-4.
Template 1: Keyword to intent map
You are an SEO strategist.
**Seed keywords:** [LIST] **Our product:** [ONE SENTENCE] **Geography/language:** [LOCALE]
For each keyword, output: estimated intent (informational/navigational/commercial/transactional), suggested content type (guide, comparison, tool page), primary SERP feature (snippet, video, PAA), and whether we should target it now (Y/N) with reason.
Do not invent search volume numbers; leave volume as [CHECK IN TOOL].
Template 2: SERP gap analysis
**Target keyword:** [KEYWORD] **Top ranking URLs (titles + H2s only):** [PASTE MANUAL RESEARCH]
Identify: common sections, content gaps, thin angles, and one differentiated H2 we can own. Propose outline that satisfies intent and adds original value (data, framework, tool, expert quotes). Flag [NEED ORIGINAL RESEARCH] where required.
Template 3: Content brief for writers
Create a writer brief for [TITLE].
Include: goal, audience persona, primary + secondary keywords, tone, word count, mandatory internal links (/generate, /credits, [RELATED POST URLs]), external citation rules, CTA, compliance notes [INDUSTRY], and outline with word budget per section.
Template 4: Outline with FAQ and schema
Keyword: [KEYWORD]. Intent: [INTENT].
Deliver: - H1 - 6–8 H2s with 1-line purpose - 3 H3s under the most technical H2 - 8 FAQ questions matching People Also Ask style - Suggested Article schema fields (headline, description)
Template 5: Introduction optimized for intent
Write intro (max 150 words) for [TITLE]. Primary keyword in first 100 words naturally. Hook: specific problem. Promise: 3 bullets of outcomes. No fluff openers (“In today’s world…”).
Template 6: Section draft with entity coverage
Write section [H2] for article targeting [KEYWORD].
Include entities and related terms: [LIST FROM RESEARCH]. Length: [N] words. Add one example and one actionable step. Cite no fake statistics; mark placeholders [SOURCE NEEDED].
Template 7: Meta title and description
**Page:** [TITLE/SUMMARY] **Primary keyword:** [KEYWORD]
Provide 5 title options ≤60 characters and 5 meta descriptions ≤155 characters. Score each for click appeal without clickbait. Pick a recommended pair.
Template 8: Open Graph and social preview
From article summary: [PASTE]. Write OG title, OG description (≤200 chars), and Twitter card text. Match search intent but optimize for social curiosity.
Template 9: Internal linking plan
**New article topic:** [TOPIC] **Existing site topics:** [LIST URL SLUGS OR TITLES]
Suggest 5 internal links: anchor text, target page, placement section, and rationale for SEO and UX.
Link to resources like What is Prompt Engineering? A Beginner's Guide when relevant.
Template 10: Content refresh (decay recovery)
**URL:** [URL] **Current H1/H2s:** [PASTE] **GSC issues:** declining clicks, position drop, or outdated year references
Propose refresh plan: sections to add, stats to update, new FAQ, merge vs. split recommendation, and redirect/canonical note if needed.
Template 11: Comparison / “vs” post
Compare [A] vs [B] for [AUDIENCE]. Structure: quick verdict box, comparison table (features, price, best for), deep sections per decision factor, migration tips, FAQ. Tone: fair, cite [CRITERIA]. No defamatory claims.
Template 12: Listicle with consistent format
“[NUMBER] [THINGS] for [AUDIENCE]” — each item: H3 title, 80-word explanation, pro/con, when to use. Keyword [KEYWORD] in H1 and one H2. Conclusion with CTA to [PRODUCT].
Template 13: Programmatic SEO paragraph
For location/category pages, generate unique paragraph (120 words) for [CITY/CATEGORY] highlighting [LOCAL FACTOR], [SERVICE], and CTA. Variable fields: [VARS]. Ban duplicate phrasing across locations—show 2 examples proving variation.
Template 14: Alt text and image SEO
For image depicting [DESCRIPTION], write alt text ≤125 characters, filename slug, and caption with keyword [KEYWORD] only if natural.
Pair with Gemini Image Generation Prompts That Work.
Template 15: Featured snippet targeting
Question: [QUESTION]. Write 40–50 word direct answer paragraph, then 3-bullet expansion, then H2 “More detail” long section. Match snippet format users see for this query type.
Template 16: Topic cluster map
**Pillar topic:** [TOPIC]
Output cluster: 1 pillar page title, 8 supporting articles with keyword, intent, and link direction (supporting → pillar). Prioritize by business impact and difficulty estimate (low/med/high) without fake volume.
Template 17: Editorial quality / E-E-A-T check
Review draft: [PASTE].
Score 1–5 on experience signals, expertise, authoritativeness, trustworthiness. List missing elements: author bio, methodology, sources, update date, conflict disclosure. Suggest fixes—not generic praise.
Template 18: Cannibalization resolver
Two URLs competing for [KEYWORD]: [URL1] [URL2]. Compare H1, intent, backlinks assumption. Recommend: consolidate, differentiate, or retarget keywords. Outline redirect plan if consolidate.
Template 19: hreflang / locale note (brief for dev)
Content locale [LANG/COUNTRY]. Summarize SEO considerations for hreflang, URL structure, and translated keywords list for [TOPIC]. Developer handoff bullet list only.
Template 20: Post-publish optimization
Article URL [URL]. Draft [PASTE]. Generate: 5 link insertion opportunities, 3 PAA to add as FAQ, 2 anchor text improvements, and LinkedIn promo post with UTM suggestion utm_campaign=[CAMPAIGN].
Workflow: how to run templates without chaos
1. Intent map → brief → outline (templates 1–4) 2. Section drafts (6) with research pack from files via upload 3. Meta + FAQ schema (7–8, 15) 4. Internal links (9) 5. QA (17) before publish 6. Refresh quarterly (10)
Prompt hygiene for SEO
- Never publish unverified volume or ranking claims from the model
- Avoid keyword stuffing; readability is a ranking input
- Align CTAs with intent—informational posts should not fake urgency
- Cross-link to product flows thoughtfully: Generate a prompt, pricing
Related templates
- Marketing copy: 50 Best ChatGPT Prompts for Marketing
- Email nurtures: Email Marketing Prompts & Templates
- Team standards: Prompt Engineering Best Practices for 2026
Measuring success
Track impressions/clicks in Search Console, assisted conversions in analytics, and content velocity (brief-to-publish time). Good SEO prompts reduce rewrites—they do not replace strategy.
Save these templates in a shared doc, version them when Google SERP layouts shift, and teach writers which step each template serves. That is how LLMs become an SEO assembly line instead of a spam cannon.