PROMPT LIBRARY
SEO keyword cluster prompt (copy-paste)
DIRECT ANSWER
An SEO keyword cluster prompt instructs an AI to take a seed keyword and produce a structured list of related terms grouped by search intent and content type — pillar pages, supporting articles, and bottom-of-funnel targets. Use it to plan a full content topic hierarchy before writing a single piece.
The prompt
You are an SEO strategist. Build a keyword cluster around the seed term [seed keyword]. Our product is [product name and one-sentence description]. Our target customer is [ICP — role, company size, problem]. Produce the following: 1. One pillar page topic: the broadest, highest-volume term in this cluster that a single authoritative guide should target. Explain why it anchors the cluster. 2. Five to eight informational supporting articles: specific how-to, what-is, and explainer queries that branch from the pillar. For each, write the recommended title and explain the search intent in one sentence. 3. Three to five commercial-investigation supporting articles: comparison, alternatives, or 'best [X] for [Y]' queries that sit one step above purchase intent. For each, write the recommended title and note what conversion action the article should drive. 4. Two to three bottom-of-funnel targets: high-intent queries where a reader is close to a decision. For each, note whether these should be a landing page or a blog post and why. 5. Three to five questions people ask around this topic that currently have weak answers on the web — these are AEO opportunities where a clear, direct answer could win a featured snippet or AI citation. 6. Topics to avoid: list any adjacent terms where the search intent is too far from our ICP or product to justify the effort. Format as a table for the pillar and supporting articles, and a short paragraph for the AEO opportunities and topics to avoid.
How to use it
The seed keyword should be a topic, not a single word — 'email marketing for SaaS' not 'email marketing.' The more specific your ICP, the better the cluster will filter out terms that attract the wrong audience. After running the prompt, cross-reference the output against a keyword tool (Ahrefs, Semrush) to validate volume and competition — the AI cannot give you real search volume data, but it can give you the cluster structure to then research. Treat the AEO opportunities section as immediate wins to pursue alongside the longer editorial calendar.
What good output looks like
A strong cluster will have a clear hub-and-spoke logic — the pillar page is genuinely the broadest entry point, and each supporting article clearly feeds back to it. The commercial-investigation articles will be specific to a decision stage, not generic listicles. The bottom-of-funnel targets will feel like queries from someone who is ready to talk to your sales team or sign up. The topics-to-avoid section will have a reason for each exclusion, not just a list of terms.
FAQ
SEO keyword cluster prompt — common questions
How many clusters should I build at once?
Start with one per core product use case or ICP segment. Building clusters for five topics before you have produced a single pillar page spreads execution too thin.
Can I use this without a keyword tool?
For planning, yes. For prioritization, no. The AI will identify real query types, but you need a keyword tool to confirm which terms have enough search volume to justify the effort.
What is the difference between a cluster and a content calendar?
A cluster is a topic map — which pages should exist and how they relate. A content calendar is a schedule — when to produce them and in what order. Build the cluster first, then sequence it into a calendar.
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