SEO + AEO blog post outline
How to find the content gap in 3 steps
- Search your target keyword on Google — read the top 3 results and the "People also ask" box; jot every subtopic they cover
- Ask the same question in ChatGPT or Perplexity — note the sources it cites and any angle they all skip
- Pick the 1–2 questions with the weakest existing answers and make yours the most specific (a real example, numbered steps, or a comparison table beats generic prose)
Title
- Clear, specific, includes the topic naturally (≤ 60 chars) — check it doesn't truncate in a SERP snippet preview tool
Intro (answer first)
- One or two sentences that directly answer the core question
- Why it matters / who it's for
Body (H2 per real question)
- ## What is [topic]? — plain definition
- ## Why [topic] matters — concrete benefits
- ## How to [do the thing] — numbered, specific steps
- ## Common mistakes — and how to avoid them
- ## Tools / examples — practical and specific
FAQ
- 3–6 questions in exact buyer phrasing, each with a short direct answer
Close
- Recap + one clear next step (your call to action)
Before publishing
- Add Article + FAQPage schema — build with the Structured Data Markup Helper, validate at validator.schema.org and Google's Rich Results Test
- Add internal links to related pages
- Check every claim is accurate and specific
Example — outline for one post (illustrative, not a real customer)
Topic "How to unclog a drain without chemicals" for an imaginary plumber:
- Title: How to Unclog a Drain Without Chemicals (5 Methods)
- Intro: "Start with boiling water and a plunger — they clear most kitchen and bathroom clogs in minutes without damaging your pipes."
- H2s: What causes most drain clogs · 5 chemical-free methods (step by step) · When to stop and call a pro · How to prevent future clogs
- FAQ: "Does baking soda and vinegar really work?" · "Can I damage pipes with a drain snake?" · "When is a clog an emergency?"
- Gap it fills: most competing posts list methods but never say when a clog signals a bigger sewer problem — this one does