SKILL.md
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Type
Word count
Use case
News / announcements
300–600
Product updates, breaking news, FAQs
Short-form
500–800
Landing pages, product pages (scannable)
Standard articles / how-tos
1,000–1,500
Single topic; actionable; listicles
Listicles
1,200–2,000
"Top 10," "Best X"; numbered lists boost CTR ~70%
Cluster articles
800–2,500
Subtopic; links to pillar
Pillar / cornerstone
2,000–3,500+
Comprehensive; cluster hub; 6–12 sections
Competitive keywords
1,800–2,500
Page-one SEO posts avg ~2,400 words
Intent-based (Google 2025): Validate 1,200–2,000; Explore 2,000–3,500; Compare 600–1,200; Do 900–1,500; Know 300–800. Informational ~40% longer than transactional.
Avoid: Under 300 words (thin); over 7,000 (often underperforms due to reduced focus).
Content Creation Workflow
Four Inputs
Article content rests on four inputs. See article-page-generator for full workflow.
Input
Purpose
Product
Connection, features, CTA placement
Keywords
Target keyword, primary/secondary
Article intent
Informational, commercial, transactional
Competitor articles
Structure to adopt, content gaps, length target
Information Gain (Content Density Over Word Count)
Information gain = net new information a page provides beyond what exists in top-ranking results. Google evaluates unique value, not comprehensiveness. Content density (unique entities, data points, insights per 100 words) matters more than word count. Skyscraper Technique (longer = better) no longer differentiates; AI made comprehensiveness cheap.
Four sources of information gain:
- Counter-narratives: Why "best practice" fails in certain contexts; evidence-backed
- Temporal freshness: Data or developments after competitors' content and LLM cutoff
- SME perspectives: Direct quotes, practitioner experience; not repackaged advice
- Proprietary data: Original surveys, internal benchmarks, user behavior patterns
Avoid consensus content: Restating common facts across top 10 results = zero information gain. Audit SERP before writing; list the "consensus layer"; identify gaps (unanswered questions, outdated data, underserved segments). Lead with what is new; structure answer-first.
Density check: Count unique data points, original insights, specific claims. If ratio of new information to word count is low, cut filler. High-density content (800-1,500 words with 3+ original points) often outperforms long rehashed guides.
TL;DR or Key Takeaways (GEO)
Choose one; place after intro. Content with these elements tends to be cited more frequently by AI engines.
Format
Spec
TL;DR
50–100 word bold summary paragraph
Key Takeaways
5–7 bullet points
See generative-engine-optimization for full GEO strategy.
Introduction
Length: 40–120 words; 2–3 paragraphs. Readers decide in ~8 seconds; hook must work instantly.
Element
Guideline
Hook
First 1–2 sentences: pain point, stat, or question; curiosity gap; specific data or contrarian fact
Primary keyword
In first 100 words
Expectations
Set what reader will learn
Hook types: "You're doing X wrong"; "97% of Y…"; bold question; challenge assumption. Well-crafted hooks boost CTR 30–50%.
Body
Element
Guideline
QAE pattern
Question (H2) → Answer (2 sentences) → Evidence (data, examples, lists)
Answer-first
Direct answer in first 40–60 words after each H2
Answer blocks
100–200 words per section; direct answer + context + evidence
Paragraph length
40–80 words; 2–4 sentences; avoid walls of text
Break long blocks
Lists, H3s, images, callout boxes every 2–3 paragraphs
Scannability
Front-load key info (F-pattern); bold key phrases; one idea per paragraph
Long-form (1,000+ words): Place engagement hooks every 500–600 words; mix 40–50% explanatory text, 20–25% examples, 10–15% data, 5–10% visuals.
Conclusion
Summary + CTA: newsletter signup, related content, product (link to product/feature when relevant). Product-linked content ties to product naturally.
Product Connection
Articles should tie to the product (problem it solves, features, use cases). Avoid purely generic content. Link to product/feature pages naturally in conclusion or when context fits.
Writing Frameworks
Apply copywriting frameworks to article structure. See copywriting for full PAS, AIDA, BAB.
Framework
Article use
AIDA
Intro (Attention); body (Interest, Desire); conclusion (Action/CTA)
PAS
How-to guides: Problem in intro; Agitation in body; Solution throughout
BAB
Case studies, transformation: Before → After → Bridge
Choose by audience: AIDA for ready-to-buy; PAS for pain-driven; BAB for transformation seekers.
Article Headlines
See copywriting for headline formulas (How to, Number, Problem→Solution). For article titles specifically:
- Length: 50–60 chars; see title-tag
- Primary keyword near start
- Numbers and power words boost CTR ~36%
References & Citations
Scenario
Practice
Data or statistics
Cite inline (e.g. "According to Source, 72% of…") or in References section
Expert quotes
Attribute; link to source
Reference section
For 5+ citations; list at end before Related posts
Format
Inline links preferred; numbered refs [1], [2] for academic-style
See eeat-signals for E-E-A-T, author bio, citations, YMYL.
Content Quality
Element
Guideline
Readability
Grade 8–10 (Flesch-Kincaid); short sentences, clear language
Depth
Match type; comprehensive coverage over padding
Originality
Unique angle, data, examples; avoid thin or rehashed content
Information gain
What does this add that top 10 results don't? Counter-narrative, fresh data, SME quote, or proprietary insight
E-E-A-T
Author bio, citations, expert quotes — see eeat-signals
Content Audit Checklist
When auditing or optimizing article content:
Dimension
Check
Hook
Intro opens with pain point, stat, or question?
Keyword in first 100 words
Primary keyword present?
QAE pattern
H2s as questions? Answer-first (40–60 words) in each section?
Word count
Matches type? (300–600 news, 1,000–2,500 cluster, 2,500+ pillar)
Paragraph length
40–80 words per paragraph? No walls of text?
Product connection
Ties to product? Natural links to features/pricing?
CTA
Placement (conclusion, mid-article); clarity; product link
References
Data/stats cited? Reference section for 5+ citations?
Gaps
What do top-ranking articles cover that this misses?
Information gain
At least one of: counter-narrative, fresh data, SME perspective, proprietary data? Or consensus rehash?
See competitor-research for competitor analysis; article-page-generator for page structure and metadata.
AI-Assisted Content
When content is AI-assisted: human review before publish; verify facts and add citations; original insights or data; avoid generic phrasing. See eeat-signals for E-E-A-T and AI content guidance.
Output Format
- Outline (H2s with keyword placement)
- TL;DR or Key Takeaways (if SEO-driven)
- Introduction (hook + keyword)
- Body sections (QAE, answer-first)
- Conclusion (summary + CTA)
- CTA copy options
Related Skills
- article-page-generator: Page structure, schema, metadata, layout; content goes here
- howto-section-generator: Dedicated HowTo step blocks (ordered steps, HowTo JSON-LD; vs FAQ)
- copywriting: Frameworks (PAS, AIDA, BAB); headline formulas; short conversion copy
- content-marketing: Article Orientations; content types
- eeat-signals: E-E-A-T; author bio; citations; citations format
- keyword-research: Keyword basis; search intent
- competitor-research: Content gaps; structure to adopt; SERP audit for information gain
- content-optimization: H2 keywords; Multimedia (tables, lists); keyword density
- generative-engine-optimization: GEO strategy; AI citation