Most content briefs are either a keyword and a word count, or ten pages nobody reads. This skill sits in the middle: one page, built from what actually ranks, with the angle that gives your page a reason to exist.
What it does
Works out the search intent and the format that ranks
Separates the table-stakes subtopics from the gaps nobody covers well
Writes title options, a meta description and an outline with what each section must say
Lists the questions to answer, the proof to include and the internal links to add
Try asking
“Write a content brief for “email deliverability checklist” for a B2B email tool.”
“Here are the top five ranking pages for “welcome email examples”. Brief me on how to beat them.”
Install it
Download the ZIP above.
Claude.ai: open Settings, go to Capabilities and upload it under Skills.
Claude Code: unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ (all projects) or .claude/skills/ (one project).
The full instructions are below. It’s one Markdown file, so change anything you like.
Inside the skill
seo-content-brief/SKILL.md
---
name: seo-content-brief
description: Write a content brief for an SEO article from a target keyword. Use when someone asks for a content brief, an article outline for SEO, or "what should this page cover" for a keyword. Works from the SERP if web search is available, or from pasted competitor pages and notes if not.
---
# SEO content brief
Write a brief a writer can start from immediately. Skimmable, specific, no padding.
## Inputs to collect
Ask only for what's missing:
- **Target keyword** (required)
- **Site and audience:** who the page is for and what the business sells
- **Existing page?** If a URL already targets this keyword, the brief is a refresh, not a new page
- **Sources:** use web search for the top 10 results if you have it; otherwise ask for pasted competitor pages or notes
## Steps
1. **Intent.** Decide what the searcher wants: learn, compare, buy or do. Say it in one sentence. If the top results mix intents, name the dominant one and why.
2. **Format.** What kind of page ranks: guide, list, tool, comparison, template? Match it unless there's a strong reason not to.
3. **Coverage.** List the subtopics most top results cover (table stakes), then the questions few or none answer well (the gap). The gap is the angle.
4. **Outline.** H1, then H2s with one line each on what the section must say. Put the direct answer to the keyword in the first two sentences of the page.
5. **Evidence.** What makes this page credible: first-hand data, screenshots, examples, quotes, original numbers. Ask the user what they have.
6. **Links.** Suggest 3–5 internal pages to link to and 1–2 authoritative external sources.
## Output format
```
# Brief: <keyword>
**Intent:** …
**Format and length:** …
**Angle (why ours wins):** …
## Title options
1. …
2. …
3. …
## Meta description
…
## Outline
- H2 … (what it must say)
## Questions to answer
- …
## Proof to include
- …
## Internal links
- anchor → page
```
## Rules
- No word counts pulled from thin air. Base length on what ranks.
- Don't pad the outline with generic sections ("What is X?") unless searchers need them.
- Mark anything you're unsure about as an assumption.
Questions
How do I install it in Claude.ai?
Download the ZIP, then in Claude.ai open Settings, go to Capabilities and upload it under Skills. Claude picks it up when your request matches what the skill does.
How do I use it in Claude Code?
Unzip it into ~/.claude/skills/ for every project, or into .claude/skills/ inside one project. The folder name stays the same as the skill's name.
Can I edit it?
Yes, it's a plain Markdown file (SKILL.md). Change the steps, the output format or the rules to match how your team works.