A good brief is why some articles rank and others need rewriting. Here is the one-page template I use for every article, with a filled-in example.
This is my SEO content brief template, the one-page plan behind every article on this site. It is part of my SEO content writing guide.
A content brief is a short plan given to a writer before they start. A good SEO brief includes the primary keyword, search intent, target reader, the main question with a short answer, an H2 outline, what makes the page unique, internal links to add, sources to cite and the call to action. It saves rewrites and keeps every article aligned with your topical map.
| Field | What to write |
|---|---|
| Working title | Clear, includes the main keyword |
| URL | Short slug, decided before writing |
| Primary keyword | One keyword plus close variations |
| Search intent | Learn, compare, buy; page type to match |
| Reader | Who they are and what they already know |
| Main question + 50-word answer | The answer that goes at the top |
| Outline (H2s) | Questions and sections in order |
| Must-cover entities and terms | Concepts the top pages all cover |
| Unique value | Experience, data, tool, examples only you have |
| Internal links | Pillar, 2 siblings, 1 tool, service page |
| Sources | Official pages to cite |
| Length guide | Based on what the topic needs, not a word target |
| CTA | The next step for the reader |
Title: Link Velocity: How Many Backlinks per Month Is Safe?
URL: /link-velocity/
Keyword: link velocity; how many backlinks per month
Intent: informational, wants a safe number and a plan
Reader: site owner buying links
Answer: no official number; steady, relevant growth that matches competitors
H2s: what it is, does Google use it, pace by situation, check competitors, keep it natural, too many too fast
Unique value: pace table from real campaigns, 6-month example
Links: link building guide, anchor text ratio, disavow guide, cost calculator
Sources: Google spam policies
CTA: link building packages
You can see the finished result at link velocity.
I plan topics, write SEO articles from real experience and optimise them for Google and AI search, ready to publish.
A one-page plan for an article that tells the writer the keyword, intent, outline, sources, links and goal.
Usually one page. Enough to guide the writer without writing the article for them.
The SEO strategist or editor who knows the keyword research and topical map.
Give a range as a guide, but focus on covering the topic fully. Google warns against writing to a word count.
Yes, the fields stay the same; the content of each field changes.
Facts checked against these official pages on 10 October 2026. Read my editorial policy.
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