Content Cluster Skill

Description

Activate this skill when the user wants to build topical authority around a subject by mapping out a pillar page and its supporting cluster articles. Trigger phrases include: "build a content cluster", "create a topic map", "content pillar strategy", "what should I write about for [topic]", "cluster: [topic]", "generate a content strategy for [niche]".

Input Format

{
  "pillar_topic": "string — the main subject to build authority around",
  "primary_keyword": "string — the keyword the pillar page targets",
  "target_audience": "string — who this content is for",
  "existing_content": ["string — titles of pages/posts already published"],
  "target_keywords": ["string — additional keywords to work into the cluster"],
  "cluster_size": "integer — foundational pages to generate, 5–10, default 10",
  "search_intent_evidence": "string — optional browser/API research",
  "conversion_goal": "string — what the content should move readers to do"
}

For a new website, produce 5–10 foundational pages, defaulting to 10 only when there are at least 10 distinct, defensible search intents. Do not create near-duplicate pages to hit the default. Every page must solve a problem, own a query, and lead to a relevant product or next step.

Output Structure

The skill must always produce output in this exact format:

## Pillar Page

| Field              | Value                                      |
|--------------------|--------------------------------------------|
| Title              | [Pillar page title with primary keyword]   |
| Primary Keyword    | [keyword]                                  |
| Search Intent      | informational / transactional / commercial |
| Target Audience    | [audience]                                 |
| Page Type          | Pillar — comprehensive, high-level guide   |
| Word Count Target  | 2500–4000 words                            |
| AEO Priority       | High — this page anchors the whole cluster |

---

## Cluster Articles

### Priority 1 — Write These First
These articles build the foundation. High search volume, clear intent.

| # | Title                        | Target Keyword       | Intent          | Content Type     | Links To         |
|---|------------------------------|----------------------|-----------------|------------------|------------------|
| 1 | [Article title]              | [keyword]            | informational   | how-to guide     | Pillar Page      |
| 2 | [Article title]              | [keyword]            | informational   | explainer        | Pillar Page      |
| 3 | [Article title]              | [keyword]            | commercial      | comparison       | Pillar Page      |

---

### Priority 2 — Write These Second
These deepen authority. Medium volume, long-tail focus.

| # | Title                        | Target Keyword       | Intent          | Content Type     | Links To         |
|---|------------------------------|----------------------|-----------------|------------------|------------------|
| 4 | [Article title]              | [keyword]            | informational   | listicle         | Art. 1, Pillar   |
| 5 | [Article title]              | [keyword]            | transactional   | case study       | Art. 3, Pillar   |
| 6 | [Article title]              | [keyword]            | informational   | FAQ page         | Art. 1, Art. 2   |

---

### Priority 3 — Write These Last
Long-tail reinforcement. Lower volume, high conversion intent.

| # | Title                        | Target Keyword       | Intent          | Content Type     | Links To         |
|---|------------------------------|----------------------|-----------------|------------------|------------------|
| 7 | [Article title]              | [keyword]            | transactional   | review           | Pillar Page      |
| 8 | [Article title]              | [keyword]            | informational   | glossary         | Art. 2, Art. 4   |

---

## Internal Link Map

Pillar Page
├── Article 1 → links back to Pillar
├── Article 2 → links back to Pillar
├── Article 3 → links back to Pillar, links to Article 1
├── Article 4 → links to Article 1, Pillar
├── Article 5 → links to Article 3, Pillar
├── Article 6 → links to Article 1, Article 2
├── Article 7 → links to Pillar
└── Article 8 → links to Article 2, Article 4

Rule: Every cluster article must link back to the Pillar Page.
Rule: No orphan articles — every article links to at least one other article.

## Foundational Page Plan

| # | Page / Article | Problem Solved | Primary Query | Intent | Product CTA | Supporting Links |
|---|----------------|----------------|---------------|--------|-------------|------------------|
| 1 | [title] | [problem] | [query] | [intent] | [CTA] | [targets] |

Use this section for the first publishing wave. The landing page, foundational pages, and later cluster articles must not compete for the same intent.

## 20-Day Editorial Calendar

| Day | Topic / Title | Target Query | Search Intent | Article Format | Internal Link Target | External Distribution Candidate |
|-----|---------------|--------------|---------------|----------------|----------------------|--------------------------------|
| 1 | [title] | [query] | [intent] | [format] | [page] | [Medium/Hashnode/dev.to/other] |

Create 20 distinct topics after the foundation is mapped. Prefer topics that answer real questions, solve problems, support the product, and can be linked back to a foundational page.

---

## Content Gap Analysis

Topics the cluster covers that competitors likely miss:
- [Gap 1 — underserved angle on the pillar topic]
- [Gap 2 — long-tail question with no strong existing answer]
- [Gap 3 — AEO opportunity: question AI engines commonly surface]

Topics to deliberately exclude from this cluster
(belong to a different cluster):
- [Out-of-scope topic 1]
- [Out-of-scope topic 2]

---

## AEO Cluster Signals

At least 2 cluster articles must be structured as direct-answer pages:
- One FAQ page targeting 8–10 questions around the pillar topic
- One "What Is" explainer with a clean definition as the opening sentence

These two articles have the highest probability of being
extracted by AI engines.

---

## Cluster Health Checklist

- [ ] Pillar page defined with clear keyword and intent
- [ ] 5–10 foundational pages generated, default 10 when justified
- [ ] Every article has a unique target keyword (no overlap)
- [ ] Every article assigned a content type
- [ ] Every article linked back to the Pillar Page
- [ ] No orphan articles in the link map
- [ ] At least one FAQ page in the cluster
- [ ] At least one comparison or case study article
- [ ] Content gap section completed
- [ ] Every foundational page has a distinct search intent and conversion path
- [ ] 20-day editorial calendar completed without cannibalizing existing pages

Content Types Available

When assigning content types, use only from this list:

Execution Steps

1. Read existing_content — mark any titles that already exist so the cluster doesn't duplicate them
2. Identify the pillar topic's full semantic territory — what questions, angles, and sub-topics surround it
3. Run a content gap pass — what angles are underserved or missing entirely in this space
4. Assign each subtopic a unique keyword with no overlap between articles or with the pillar keyword
5. Classify each subtopic's search intent before assigning content type
6. Sort all subtopics into Priority 1, 2, and 3 tiers based on search volume and foundational relevance
7. Build the 5–10-page foundational plan before expanding to the 20-day calendar
8. Build the internal link map — verify no orphan articles exist
9. Flag the 2 highest AEO-opportunity articles in the cluster
10. Complete the content gap section and editorial calendar before outputting

Connected Skills

• Receives output from: seo-aeo-keyword-research
• Feeds output to: seo-aeo-blog-writer, seo-aeo-internal-linking

When to Use

Use when planning a pillar page, foundational pages, and supporting articles around a product, service, or topic.

Limitations

• A content map is a prioritisation aid, not measured demand or a guarantee that every proposed topic will rank.