build-clusters_skill

Overview

This skill builds a topical authority cluster from a seed keyword or topic using a pillar-and-spoke model, coverage scoring, and an interlinking plan. It produces a cluster map, gap analysis, pillar page spec, and a prioritized production roadmap so teams can execute content strategy that earns topical authority.

How this skill works

Starting from a seed topic, the skill discovers 8–20 subtopics using SERP signals, intent mapping, and audience needs. It scores existing content for coverage and quality, designs a pillar page outline, and produces a detailed interlinking plan with anchor text guidance. Finally it calculates cluster health metrics and outputs a prioritized production sequence to maximize ranking impact.

When to use it

• You want to build topical authority around a core product or subject
• Planning a pillar page and a network of supporting articles
• Auditing content gaps for a major topic area
• Prioritizing content production for SEO impact
• Designing internal linking to distribute authority across pages

Best practices

• Start with a clear seed topic and list of existing pages before mapping subtopics
• Aim for 8–15 spokes covering distinct intents (awareness, consideration, implementation, troubleshooting)
• Publish a pillar draft early to serve as the hub and add spokes progressively
• Ensure every spoke links to the pillar and the pillar links to every spoke; add 2–4 contextual sibling links per spoke
• Use coverage, link health, and content quality scores to prioritize work; target >70% coverage and 100% link health

Example use cases

• Build a SaaS product hub: pillar on product category and spokes with tutorials, comparisons, and pricing guides
• Create an educational cluster for a technical topic: pillar overview plus deep-dive how-tos and troubleshooting pages
• Audit an existing topic area: identify partial/ full gaps and recommend which pages to refresh or create
• SEO roadmap for a marketing team: sequence pillar first, then highest-opportunity spokes, then remaining content
• Improve internal linking across related blog posts to boost a pillar’s ranking potential