SEO Content Audit Framework
Professional methodology for comprehensive on-page SEO and content quality analysis.
When to Use This Skill
- Auditing existing content for SEO performance
- Reviewing new content before publication
- Identifying optimization opportunities
- Evaluating E-E-A-T signals
- Scoring content quality
- Competitive content analysis
- Creating content improvement plans
Audit Workflow
Phase 1: On-Page SEO Elements
Title Tag Analysis:
□ Length: 50-60 characters
□ Primary keyword near beginning (first 30 chars)
□ Unique across site
□ Compelling for CTR
□ Brand included (if space)
□ No keyword stuffing
□ Matches search intent
Meta Description Analysis:
□ Length: 150-160 characters
□ Contains primary keyword
□ Includes call-to-action
□ Unique across site
□ Accurately describes content
□ Compelling for clicks
Header Structure (H1-H6):
Requirements:
□ Single H1 matching topic
□ H1 contains primary keyword
□ Logical hierarchy (H1 → H2 → H3)
□ No skipped levels
□ Keywords in H2s naturally
□ Descriptive, not generic
URL Structure:
□ Clean, descriptive
□ Contains primary keyword
□ Under 60 characters
□ Lowercase with hyphens
□ No parameters or IDs
□ Matches content hierarchy
Phase 2: Content Quality Assessment
Content Completeness Scoring:
| Factor | Check | Score | |--------|-------|-------| | Topic coverage | Comprehensive vs. shallow | /10 | | Unique value | Original insights vs. rehash | /10 | | Accuracy | Factual, verifiable | /10 | | Freshness | Current information | /10 | | Depth | Expert-level detail | /10 |
The C.R.E.A.T.E. Framework:
| Factor | Question | Score 1-4 | |--------|----------|-----------| | Comprehensiveness | Does it fully answer the query? | | | Relevance | Does it match search intent? | | | Expertise | Does it demonstrate deep knowledge? | | | Actionability | Can readers apply this immediately? | | | Trustworthiness | Are claims supported by evidence? | | | Engagement | Is it interesting to read? | |
Readability Standards:
Target reading level: Grade 8-10 (Flesch-Kincaid)
Paragraph length: 2-4 sentences ideal
Sentence variety: Mix short and medium
Scannable formatting: Headers, bullets, bold
Visual aids: Images, tables, diagrams where helpful
Phase 3: Keyword Optimization
Primary Keyword Checklist:
□ In title tag (first 30 chars)
□ In H1
□ In first 100 words
□ In at least one H2
□ In meta description
□ In URL
□ Natural density: 0.5-1.5%
□ In image alt text (if relevant)
Semantic Coverage:
□ LSI keywords present
□ Related entities mentioned
□ Question variations addressed
□ Synonyms used naturally
□ Topic cluster alignment
□ Search intent fully matched
Keyword Density Guidelines:
Primary keyword: 0.5-1.5% density (natural)
Secondary keywords: 0.3-0.8% each
LSI/Related terms: Natural inclusion
Avoid: Keyword stuffing (>2%)
Phase 4: E-E-A-T Evaluation
Experience Signals:
□ First-hand experience indicated
□ Case studies/examples included
□ Original data or research
□ Process documentation
□ Real-world applications shown
□ Personal insights shared
Expertise Signals:
□ Author credentials visible
□ Author bio with qualifications
□ Technical accuracy verified
□ Comprehensive coverage
□ Expert quotes/interviews
□ Specialized terminology used correctly
Authority Signals:
□ Authoritative external citations
□ Links to primary sources
□ Industry recognition mentioned
□ Published research referenced
□ Brand authority established
□ Backlink profile (if available)
Trust Signals:
□ Contact information accessible
□ Privacy policy linked
□ Editorial guidelines visible
□ Sources cited inline
□ Last updated date shown
□ Author photo and bio
□ Secure site (HTTPS)
Phase 5: Internal Linking
Best Practices:
□ 3-10 internal links per 1000 words
□ Descriptive anchor text (not "click here")
□ Links to related content
□ Links from high-authority pages
□ Logical link hierarchy
□ No orphan pages
□ Breadcrumb navigation
Phase 6: Performance Signals
Metrics to Evaluate (if available):
□ Organic traffic trend
□ Average position for target keywords
□ Click-through rate (CTR)
□ Bounce rate
□ Time on page
□ Pages per session
□ Conversion rate
Benchmarks: | Metric | Poor | Average | Good | |--------|------|---------|------| | CTR (pos 1-3) | <3% | 3-8% | >8% | | Bounce rate | >70% | 50-70% | <50% | | Time on page | <1min | 1-3min | >3min |
Output Format
# SEO Content Audit Report
**Page:** [URL or filename]
**Date:** [Date]
**Overall Score:** X/100
## Executive Summary
[2-3 sentence overview of findings]
## Scores by Category
| Category | Score | Status |
|----------|-------|--------|
| On-Page SEO | X/20 | [Good/Needs Work/Critical] |
| Content Quality | X/25 | [Good/Needs Work/Critical] |
| Keyword Optimization | X/15 | [Good/Needs Work/Critical] |
| E-E-A-T Signals | X/20 | [Good/Needs Work/Critical] |
| AI/GEO Readiness | X/20 | [Good/Needs Work/Critical] |
## Priority Issues (Fix First)
1. **[Issue]** - [Impact] - [Fix]
2. **[Issue]** - [Impact] - [Fix]
3. **[Issue]** - [Impact] - [Fix]
## On-Page SEO Findings
- Title: [Current] → [Recommended]
- Meta: [Current] → [Recommended]
- Headers: [Analysis]
- URL: [Analysis]
## Content Quality Findings
- C.R.E.A.T.E. Score: X/24
- Word count: [X] (Recommended: [Y])
- Readability: Grade [X]
- Gaps: [List]
## Keyword Analysis
- Primary: [Keyword] - Density: X%
- Missing opportunities: [List]
- Over-optimized: [List if any]
## E-E-A-T Assessment
- Strengths: [List]
- Gaps: [List]
- Recommendations: [List]
## Action Plan
**Immediate (This Week):**
- [ ] Action 1
- [ ] Action 2
**Short-term (This Month):**
- [ ] Action 1
- [ ] Action 2
**Ongoing:**
- [ ] Action 1
- [ ] Action 2
Quick Audit (5-Point Check)
- Title & Meta - Optimized, compelling, <60 chars?
- H1 & Structure - Clear hierarchy, keyword in H1?
- Content Depth - Comprehensive, >1500 words for guides?
- E-E-A-T - Author credentials, trust signals visible?
- AI Ready - TL;DR present, extractable format?
Scoring Guide
- 90-100: Excellent - Minor optimizations only
- 70-89: Good - Some improvements needed
- 50-69: Needs Work - Significant gaps to address
- Below 50: Critical - Major overhaul required
Scoring Rubric (Detailed)
On-Page SEO (20 points):
- Title tag optimized: 5 pts
- Meta description optimized: 4 pts
- Header structure correct: 4 pts
- URL optimized: 3 pts
- Image alt text: 2 pts
- Internal links: 2 pts
Content Quality (25 points):
- Comprehensiveness: 5 pts
- Accuracy: 5 pts
- Originality: 5 pts
- Readability: 5 pts
- Engagement: 5 pts
Keyword Optimization (15 points):
- Primary keyword placement: 6 pts
- Semantic coverage: 5 pts
- Natural density: 4 pts
E-E-A-T (20 points):
- Experience signals: 5 pts
- Expertise signals: 5 pts
- Authority signals: 5 pts
- Trust signals: 5 pts
AI/GEO Readiness (20 points):
- TL;DR/Summary: 4 pts
- Extractable structure: 4 pts
- FAQ section: 4 pts
- Schema markup: 4 pts
- Fact density: 4 pts
Competitor Analysis Framework
When comparing against competitors:
- Identify top 3-5 ranking competitors for target keyword
- Analyze their content:
- Word count
- Header structure
- Topics covered
- Unique angles
- E-E-A-T signals
- Find gaps:
- Topics they miss
- Questions unanswered
- Data not included
- Create differentiation plan:
- Original research
- Better visuals
- More comprehensive coverage
- Stronger E-E-A-T