What This Skill Does
This skill is a general-purpose SEO content optimizer. You upload any piece of written content, specify your target keywords, and the skill audits it against a comprehensive SEO checklist, then rewrites and improves the document to make it fully optimized.
It works on blog posts, landing pages, guides, whitepapers, or any web-published text. It is not tied to any CMS or specific content type.
Inputs:
- Content file: Any format — markdown, .docx, plain text, or HTML
- Primary keyword: The main keyword you want to rank for
- Secondary keyword(s): Supporting keywords that reinforce your topic
Outputs:
- Revised document: The full optimized version as a downloadable file
- Change summary: Every modification listed by category
The skill enforces six categories of optimization:
- Structural Checks (title, meta, H1 rules)
- Keyword Optimization (placement, density, distribution)
- AI Humanization (11-point system to avoid AI-detectable patterns)
- GEO Optimization (structured for ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini discovery)
- Link Audit (internal and external link minimums)
- Content Hygiene (em dashes, year freshness, source attribution)
Copy & Paste: The Complete SKILL.md
Copy everything below and save it as a single file. That is the entire skill.
File location: .claude/skills/seo-optimizer/SKILL.md
Setup: Create the folder seo-optimizer inside your skills directory, then create SKILL.md inside it. Paste everything below. No dependencies, no installs.
---
name: seo-optimizer
description: Use this skill when a user uploads content and asks for SEO
optimization, SEO audit, or keyword optimization. Triggers on phrases like
"optimize for SEO", "run SEO check", "audit this content", or
"make this SEO friendly". Requires the user to provide a primary keyword.
---# SEO Content Optimization Skill
## Overview
This skill audits and optimizes any uploaded content for search engine
visibility and AI search engine (GEO) discoverability. It takes a piece
of written content plus target keywords, runs a comprehensive checklist,
and outputs an improved version of the document with a change summary.
## Required Inputs
1. **Content file** - uploaded document (.md, .docx, .txt, .html) or pasted text
2. **Primary keyword** - the main keyword to optimize for
3. **Secondary keyword(s)** - supporting keywords (comma separated)
If the user does not provide keywords, ASK before proceeding.
Do not guess keywords. The user must specify them explicitly.
## Step 1: Parse the Content
Read the uploaded file. Extract:
- All headings (H1, H2, H3, H4) and their text
- The title tag (if present in HTML/frontmatter, otherwise use H1)
- The meta description (if present, otherwise flag as missing)
- All paragraph/body text
- All existing links (internal and external)
- The first paragraph and the conclusion/final section
## Step 2: Structural Audit
Check and fix each of the following. Do not just report issues.
Rewrite to fix them:
- [ ] Title tag is under 70 characters
FIX: Rewrite title to be under 70 chars, keep primary keyword
- [ ] Meta description is under 150 characters
FIX: Rewrite meta to be concise, compelling, keyword-rich, under 150
- [ ] H1 is under 65 characters
FIX: Shorten H1, preserve primary keyword
- [ ] Only 1 H1 exists on the page
FIX: Demote extra H1s to H2. If no H1 exists, promote first H2
- [ ] Primary keyword appears in the H1
FIX: Rewrite H1 to naturally include the primary keyword
## Step 3: Keyword Optimization
Count and verify keyword placement. Fix gaps by rewriting sentences
to include keywords naturally. Never keyword-stuff.
PRIMARY KEYWORD RULES:
- [ ] Appears in H1 (checked in Step 2)
- [ ] Appears in the first paragraph (within first 100 words)
- [ ] Appears in at least one H2
- [ ] Appears in at least one other heading (H2/H3/H4)
- [ ] Appears in the conclusion/final section
- [ ] Appears 10+ times total across the document
SECONDARY KEYWORD RULES:
- [ ] Each secondary keyword appears 4+ times
- [ ] Secondary keywords are distributed across sections, not clustered
When adding keyword mentions, rewrite full sentences so the keyword
fits naturally. Do not insert keywords into existing sentences awkwardly.
## Step 4: AI Humanization Pass
Run the 11-point humanization checklist. For each item, scan the full
document and rewrite sections that fail:
- [ ] 1. Sentence structure varies (mix short + long + fragments)
- [ ] 2. Conversational elements present (rhetorical questions,
first-person "we", direct "you" address)
- [ ] 3. Concrete specifics used (real numbers, dates, named examples)
- [ ] 4. Zero banned AI phrases (see list below)
- [ ] 5. Natural imperfections (contractions, colloquialisms, opinions)
- [ ] 6. Paragraph lengths vary (mix 1-2 and 4-5 sentence paragraphs)
- [ ] 7. No predictable patterns (not always statement-evidence-conclusion)
- [ ] 8. Passes read-aloud test (sounds natural when spoken)
- [ ] 9. Section openings vary (no repeated structures)
- [ ] 10. Transition words vary (no repeated connectives)
- [ ] 11. At least one contrarian or nuanced take exists
BANNED PHRASE LIST - scan and remove ALL instances:
"It's important to note" | "In today's landscape"
"Whether you're looking to" | "leveraging" | "dive deep"
"game-changer" | "seamlessly" | "robust" | "cutting-edge"
"Let's explore" | "Let's take a look at" | "With that in mind"
"In conclusion" | "It's worth noting" | "At the end of the day"
Replace each banned phrase with natural, specific language.
Do not simply delete them. Rewrite the full sentence.
## Step 5: GEO Optimization Pass
Optimize for AI search engines (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini):
- [ ] H2 headings are question-based
Convert "Pricing" to "How Much Does [Topic] Cost?"
Convert "Benefits" to "What Are the Key Benefits of [Topic]?"
- [ ] First sentence under each H2 directly answers the question
Lead with the fact. Then expand. Do not build up to the answer.
- [ ] Each section is self-contained (readable in isolation)
No section should depend on prior sections for context.
AI models retrieve content in chunks.
- [ ] Every named source has an inline hyperlink
"according to Gartner" MUST link to the Gartner source.
- [ ] Claims use specific, verifiable data
Replace "many companies" with "67% of Fortune 500 companies"
## Step 6: Link Audit
Count all links in the document:
EXTERNAL LINKS:
- [ ] Minimum 2-3 external links
- [ ] Preferred sources: Clutch, G2, Gartner, Forbes, McKinsey, HBR
- [ ] Every named source is hyperlinked inline
If a source is mentioned but not linked, add:
[SOURCE LINK: add link to {source name} reference here]
INTERNAL LINKS:
- [ ] Minimum 3 internal links
- [ ] If fewer than 3, insert placeholders at natural locations:
[INTERNAL LINK: consider linking to a related article about {topic} here]
- [ ] Anchor text is descriptive and keyword-relevant (never "click here")
## Step 7: Content Hygiene
Final cleanup pass:
- [ ] Zero em dashes in the document
Replace each — with a comma, period, colon, or semicolon
- [ ] All year references are current (2026, not 2025 or earlier)
Exception: historical references ("founded in 2018") are fine
- [ ] Meta description is under 150 characters
If still over after Step 2 fixes, rewrite again
## Step 8: Output
Produce TWO deliverables:
1. THE REVISED DOCUMENT
- Full optimized version as a downloadable file
- Same format as input (markdown, docx, etc.)
- All fixes applied, not just flagged
2. CHANGE SUMMARY
Organized by category:
- Structural Changes (title, meta, H1 modifications)
- Keyword Changes (added mentions, placement fixes)
- Humanization Changes (phrases removed, tone adjustments)
- GEO Changes (headings converted, answer-first rewrites)
- Link Changes (placeholders added, sources linked)
- Hygiene Changes (em dashes, years, meta length)
For each change, state WHAT changed and WHY.End of SKILL.md template. Stop copying here.
What’s Inside the Skill (At a Glance)
Here is a quick summary of what the SKILL.md you just copied enforces across all six categories.
| Category | Key Rules |
|---|---|
| Structural Checks | Title under 70 chars, Meta under 150 chars, H1 under 65 chars, Exactly 1 H1, Primary keyword in H1 |
| Keyword Optimization | Primary keyword in H1, first paragraph, H2, other heading, conclusion. 10+ total primary mentions. 4+ each secondary keyword. Natural distribution |
| AI Humanization | 11-point checklist: sentence variety, conversational elements, concrete specifics, banned phrase removal (15 phrases), paragraph variation, contrarian takes, read-aloud test |
| GEO Optimization | Question-based H2s, Answer-first paragraphs, Self-contained sections, Inline source citations, Specific verifiable claims |
| Link Audit | 3+ internal links (placeholders if missing), 2-3+ external links, All named sources hyperlinked, Descriptive anchor text |
| Content Hygiene | Zero em dashes, Current year references only, Meta under 150 chars, All sources attributed with links |
Validation Checks
After creating the skill, run these tests to confirm every checklist category fires correctly. Each test targets a specific category with intentional problems and clear pass/fail criteria.
Test 1: Structural Validation
Prompt: “Here is my article. Primary keyword: AI consulting services. Secondary keywords: AI strategy, machine learning consulting. Optimize it for SEO.”
Include these problems: H1 over 80 chars, Two H1 tags, Title over 70 chars, No meta description, H1 missing the primary keyword.
Pass: Exactly 1 H1 under 65 chars with primary keyword. Title under 70 chars. Meta under 150 chars.
Test 2: Keyword Density
Prompt: “Optimize this for SEO. Primary keyword: cloud migration services. Secondary keywords: cloud strategy, AWS migration.”
Include these problems: Primary keyword appears only 2 times, Missing from first paragraph, Missing from all H2s, No secondary keywords at all.
Pass: 10+ primary mentions across H1, first paragraph, H2, other heading, conclusion. 4+ each secondary.
Test 3: AI Humanization
Prompt: “Run SEO optimization. Primary keyword: data analytics. Secondary keywords: business intelligence, data-driven decisions.”
Include these problems: 5+ banned phrases (“In today’s landscape”, “seamlessly”, “robust”, “game-changer”, “dive deep”), Every paragraph is 3 sentences, Every section opens the same way.
Pass: All banned phrases removed. Paragraph and section opening variety. At least one question, one first-person reference, one opinionated take.
Test 4: GEO Optimization
Prompt: “Optimize for SEO. Primary keyword: SaaS development. Secondary keywords: SaaS platform, custom SaaS.”
Include these problems: All H2s are flat labels (“Pricing”, “Features”), Paragraphs start with background not answers, Sources named but not linked, Sections reference “as mentioned above.”
Pass: H2s converted to questions. First sentence answers the question. All sources hyperlinked. No cross-section references.
Test 5: Link Audit
Prompt: “Run SEO check. Primary keyword: mobile app development. Secondary keywords: iOS development, Android development.”
Include these problems: Zero internal links, Only 1 external link, Two sources named without hyperlinks.
Pass: 3 internal link placeholders inserted. Additional external link identified. Both unlinked sources flagged with [SOURCE LINK: …] placeholders.
Test 6: Content Hygiene
Prompt: “Optimize for SEO. Primary keyword: cybersecurity services. Secondary keywords: penetration testing, security audit.”
Include these problems: 4 em dashes, References “2025” as current year, Meta description is 200 characters.
Pass: All em dashes replaced. “2025” updated to “2026”. Meta rewritten under 150 chars.
Full integration test: Once each test passes individually, run one final test with a document containing problems from ALL categories. The skill should fix everything in a single pass and produce a clean change summary organized by category.
How to Use the Skill in Practice
Step 1: Upload your content Drag and drop your file into the Claude chat, or paste the content directly. Formats: .md, .docx, .txt, .html.
Step 2: Specify your keywords Tell Claude your primary and secondary keywords. Example: “Primary keyword: AI development company. Secondary keywords: custom AI solutions, AI consulting services.”
Step 3: Trigger the skill “Run the SEO optimization skill on this content” or “Optimize this article for SEO.”
Step 4: Review the output You get the revised document as a downloadable file, plus a change summary organized by category.
Step 5: Fill in placeholders
Search for [INTERNAL LINK: ...] and [SOURCE LINK: ...] placeholders. Replace with real URLs.
Step 6: Publish Final read-through for tone, then publish.
Pro tip: Run this skill after you have finished writing and editing for substance. SEO optimization is a final polish, not a substitute for good writing.
Quick Reference Cheat Sheet
Pin this page. Use it every time you run the skill or audit content manually.
| Category | Rule | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Title tag length | Under 70 characters |
| Structure | Meta description | Under 150 characters |
| Structure | H1 length | Under 65 characters |
| Structure | H1 count | Exactly 1 |
| Keywords | Primary KW in H1 | Required |
| Keywords | Primary KW in first paragraph | Required |
| Keywords | Primary KW in H2 | At least 1 H2 |
| Keywords | Primary KW in other heading | At least 1 more |
| Keywords | Primary KW in conclusion | Required |
| Keywords | Primary KW total count | 10+ mentions |
| Keywords | Secondary KW count | 4+ each |
| Humanize | Banned AI phrases | 0 instances |
| Humanize | Sentence length variety | Mix short + long |
| Humanize | Paragraph length variety | Mix 1-5 sentences |
| Humanize | Contrarian take | At least 1 |
| GEO | H2 format | Question-based |
| GEO | Answer-first paragraphs | First sentence answers |
| GEO | Section independence | Each standalone |
| GEO | Source citations | Inline, hyperlinked |
| Links | Internal links | 3+ minimum |
| Links | External links | 2-3 minimum |
| Links | Named source links | All hyperlinked |
| Hygiene | Em dashes | 0 instances |
| Hygiene | Year references | Current year only |
| Hygiene | Meta description | Under 150 characters |