SEO-AEO Content Cluster

Overview

Maps out a complete topical authority structure around a pillar keyword. Produces a pillar page definition, 8–15 cluster articles sorted into Priority 1/2/3 tiers, a content type for each, an internal link map, and a content gap analysis identifying AEO opportunities competitors are missing.

Part of the SEO-AEO Engine.

When to Use This Skill

• Use when building topical authority around a new subject
• Use when you need to know what to write next to support a pillar page
• Use when planning a content calendar for a niche
• Use when you want to identify AEO content gaps competitors are missing

How It Works

Step 1: Define the Pillar Page

Set the primary keyword, target audience, and word count target (2500–4000 words) for the pillar page that anchors the cluster.

Step 2: Generate Cluster Articles

Produce 8–15 subtopics sorted into three priority tiers:

• Priority 1 — High volume, clear intent. Write these first.
• Priority 2 — Medium volume, long-tail focus. Write second.
• Priority 3 — Low volume, high conversion intent. Write last.

Assign each article a unique keyword, content type, search intent, and link map.

Step 3: Build Internal Link Map

Every cluster article must link back to the pillar page. No orphan articles. Show the full tree of relationships.

Step 4: Run Content Gap Analysis

Identify angles that competitors likely miss — especially question-based AEO opportunities that AI engines commonly surface.

Examples

Example: Automated Budgeting Cluster

Pillar: The Complete Guide to Automated Budgeting Priority 1:

How to Build a Budget That Actually Works | how-to guide Best Budgeting Apps Compared | comparison What Is Zero-Based Budgeting? | explainer ← AEO priority

Priority 2: 4. How to Automate Your Savings in 3 Steps | how-to guide 5. Budgeting for Millennials: What Nobody Tells You | opinion Link Map: Pillar ← Article 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Article 1 ↔ Article 4 Article 2 → Article 3 AEO Priority: ★ Article 3 — "What Is" format has highest AI extraction probability ★ Article 2 — comparison table will be lifted for product queries

Best Practices

• ✅ Do: Assign every cluster article a unique target keyword — no overlap
• ✅ Do: Include at least one FAQ page and one comparison article in every cluster
• ✅ Do: Flag the 2 highest AEO-opportunity articles for priority writing
• ❌ Don't: Let any article become an orphan — every article links to at least one other
• ❌ Don't: Target the same keyword on both the pillar and a cluster article

Common Pitfalls

• Problem: Cluster articles all target similar keywords and cannibalise each other Solution: Run a uniqueness check — every article needs a distinct keyword with no semantic overlap.

• Problem: No AEO content in the cluster Solution: At least 2 articles must be structured as direct-answer pages (FAQ or "What Is" explainer).

Related Skills

• @seo-aeo-keyword-research — provides the keyword foundation for the cluster
• @seo-aeo-blog-writer — writes the Priority 1 cluster articles
• @seo-aeo-internal-linking — builds the detailed link map from cluster output

Additional Resources

• SEO-AEO Engine Repository
• Full Content Cluster SKILL.md