astro-blog-structure

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Phase 2 - Content Structure planning for blog articles

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[SEO and Content Briefs]

When & Why to Use This Skill

This Claude skill automates the strategic planning of blog content structures, ensuring every article is optimized for both search engines and user experience. It provides a rigorous framework for organizing H2/H3 headings as user-intent questions, managing component density (such as TL;DRs and Expert Insights), and enforcing precise 'above-the-fold' layout specifications for mobile and desktop. By standardizing internal/external linking and image optimization, it helps content teams build high-authority, high-ranking articles that avoid common AI patterns and prioritize human-centric value.

Use Cases

  • Developing comprehensive content briefs for pillar articles (3000-5000 words) that require complex bidirectional linking and high component density.
  • Optimizing 'above-the-fold' content for Core Web Vitals by calculating exact pixel heights for H1s, hero images, and QueryAnswer blocks to ensure immediate user value.
  • Transforming generic subheadings into high-intent, question-based H2s to increase the likelihood of capturing Google's Featured Snippets.
  • Planning a balanced distribution of interactive elements and visual breaks to maintain reader engagement and improve scannability across long-form content.
  • Establishing a professional citation and linking strategy that integrates academic research, industry authority links, and internal topical clusters to build domain authority.
nameastro-blog-structure
descriptionPhase 2 - Content Structure planning for blog articles

Astro Blog - Phase 2: Structure

Priority Legend:

  • ⭐ ALWAYS - Every article, non-negotiable
  • 🎯 HIGH-VALUE - Competitive keywords, commercial/pillar content

⚠️ CRITICAL: Read astro-blog/references/human-voice.md NOW before planning structure to avoid AI-like patterns

Content Structure Planning

⭐ Core Structure (Every Article)

  • H2 section density - 3-4 sections (standard 1000-1500w) OR 5-8 sections (pillar 3000-5000w)
  • H2s are questions - Prefer specific questions users actually ask. Example: "How much does solar panel installation cost in the UK?" NOT "Pricing Overview"
  • H3 subheadings - Use only for H2 sections >400 words. Max 3-4 H3s per H2. Keeps content scannable
  • TOC required - If article >800 words, add table of contents after intro
  • Component density limits - Max 5-7 components (standard) or 8-12 (pillar). Components = QueryAnswer, TL;DR, ExpertInsight, EngagementHook, etc.
  • Visual breaks - No more than 3 paragraphs (150-300 words) without image/list/table/component

⭐ Above-the-Fold Optimization (Every Article)

Must appear without scrolling:

  • Desktop layout (1920x1080) - H1 (80-120px) + Hero image (400-500px) + QueryAnswer (150-200px) = ~850px total
  • Mobile layout (375x667) - H1 (100-140px) + Hero 4:3 ratio (280-300px) + QueryAnswer first sentence (120-160px) = ~600px total
  • Hero image optimization - Eager loading (loading="eager"), <100KB filesize, descriptive filename (solar-panels-uk-2026.webp)
  • QueryAnswer placement - Immediately after hero image, contains direct answer in first 40-60 words

⭐ Required Components

  • QueryAnswer - Direct answer <120 words with specific numbers. Example: "Solar panels cost £5,000-£8,000 in the UK (2026). A typical 4kW system saves £600/year..."
  • TL;DR - If >1000 words, exactly 3 key takeaways in bullet list
  • ExpertInsight - 1-2 (standard) or 2-3 (pillar). Practical insider tips, NOT generic advice
  • Author Bio - 50-80 words at end. Format: [Experience] + [Credentials] + [Social proof] + [Location/specialization] + LinkedIn link

⭐ Internal Linking (Every Article)

  • Minimum links - 2-4 (standard) or 8-12 (pillar) contextual internal links
  • First link placement - Within first 100 words to related article
  • Descriptive anchors - "solar panel installation costs" NOT "click here" or "this article"

🎯 Pillar-Cluster Linking (Pillar/Cluster Articles Only)

  • Bidirectional links - Pillar links to ALL clusters (woven into sections). Each cluster links back to pillar (intro or conclusion). Related clusters link to each other
  • Contextual integration - Links woven into prose with context. NOT listed at end. Example: "Understanding solar panel installation costs helps budget for the broader solar investment strategy."
  • Publication order - Publish pillar first (establishes authority), then add 1-2 cluster articles per month

⭐ External Links (Every Article)

Minimum 4 external links:

  • 1 citation link - Academic/research supporting a claim (journal, .ac.uk, official study)
  • 1 authority link - Industry authority site (trade body, gov.uk, certification body)
  • 1 reputation link - High-authority mention (Which?, BBC, Guardian, LinkedIn profile)
  • 1 contextual link - Related resource that adds value for reader
  • Authority sites - Prefer: gov.uk, .ac.uk, Which?, trade bodies, professional LinkedIn profiles
  • Context sentences - Every link needs explanatory sentence. NO "source" or "here" as anchor text
  • Rel attributes - All external links: rel="noopener noreferrer". Affiliate links add: rel="nofollow sponsored"

⭐ Images & Video (Every Article)

  • Image count - 3-5 images (standard) or 6-10 images (pillar). Roughly every 250-350 words
  • Descriptive filenames - solar-panel-installation-uk-2026.webp NOT IMG_1234.jpg or image-1.webp
  • Image captions - REQUIRED for: screenshots, before/after comparisons, case studies, charts/graphs
  • Video - 0-1 video (standard) or 1-2 videos (pillar). Use facade loading (thumbnail + play button, loads on click). Include min 3 chapter timestamps

🎯 Conversion Elements (Commercial/Transactional)

  • Content upgrade - REQUIRED for commercial/transactional. Offer gated PDF checklist, template, or detailed guide related to article topic
  • Interactive tool - REQUIRED for transactional, strongly recommended for commercial. Calculator generates 22% of leads
  • Social proof - 2-3 elements: Volume metrics ("500+ installations"), trust seals (MCS, Which?, certifications), testimonials with names
  • Review integration - Display review snippets near QueryAnswer AND before primary CTA. Increases traffic 100%+

Output Required

Provide full article outline with:

  1. H2 sections (3-4 standard, 5-8 pillar) - all as questions
  2. Component placement - Where each component appears
  3. Internal link targets - 2-4 links (standard), 8-12 (pillar)
  4. Image descriptions - What images needed and where
  5. CTA placement - Where CTAs appear in flow

Next Step

After completing structure, use astro-blog-write skill for Phase 3.