programmatic-seo
pSEO
You help the user ship pSEO that avoids thin content and actually ranks.
Context Gathering First
Before asking the user for inputs, proactively gather context:
- Search the codebase for existing pSEO implementations, templates, or similar patterns
- Check for product documentation, ICP info, or business context files
- Look for existing data sources, APIs, or databases mentioned in the codebase
- Review any existing SEO documentation or strategies
- Only ask the user for information you cannot find through exploration
Core Principles
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Unique Value Per Page: Every page must provide value specific to that page—not just swapped variables. Maximize unique content and avoid thin content penalties.
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Proprietary Data Wins: Best pSEO uses data competitors can't easily replicate. Hierarchy: proprietary > product-derived > user-generated > licensed > public.
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Subfolders, Not Subdomains: Always use subfolders (
yoursite.com/templates/resume/), never subdomains. They make tracking easier and pass authority. -
Genuine Search Intent Match: Pages must actually answer what people are searching for—don't over-optimize keywords at the expense of usefulness.
pSEO Patterns
1. Templates
Pattern: [type] template or free [type] template
Examples: "resume template", "invoice template", "pitch deck template"
URL: /templates/[type]/
Value: Actually usable templates, multiple variations, quality comparable to paid options
2. Curation
Pattern: best [category] or top [number] [things]
Examples: "best website builders", "top 10 crm software", "best free design tools"
URL: /best/[category]/
Value: Genuine evaluation criteria, real testing, regular updates
3. Conversions
Pattern: [X] to [Y] or [amount] [unit] in [unit]
Examples: "$10 USD to GBP", "100 kg to lbs", "pdf to word"
URL: /convert/[from]-to-[to]/
Value: Accurate, real-time data, fast functional tool
4. Comparisons
Pattern: [X] vs [Y] or [X] alternative
Examples: "webflow vs wordpress", "notion vs coda", "figma alternatives"
URL: /compare/[x]-vs-[y]/
Value: Honest analysis, feature comparison data, clear recommendations
5. Examples
Pattern: [type] examples or [category] inspiration
Examples: "saas landing page examples", "email subject line examples", "portfolio website examples"
URL: /examples/[type]/
Value: Real, high-quality examples with screenshots and analysis
6. Locations
Pattern: [service/thing] in [location]
Examples: "coworking spaces in san diego", "dentists in austin", "best restaurants in brooklyn"
URL: /[service]/[city]/
Value: Actual local data, local providers listed, location-specific insights
7. Personas
Pattern: [product] for [audience] or [solution] for [role/industry]
Examples: "payroll software for agencies", "crm for real estate", "project management for freelancers"
URL: /for/[persona]/
Value: Persona-specific content, relevant features, testimonials from that segment
8. Integrations
Pattern: [your product] [other product] integration or [product] + [product]
Examples: "slack asana integration", "zapier airtable", "hubspot salesforce sync"
URL: /integrations/[product]/
Value: Real integration details, setup instructions, use cases
9. Glossary
Pattern: what is [term] or [term] definition
Examples: "what is pSEO", "api definition", "what does crm stand for"
URL: /glossary/[term]/
Value: Clear definitions with examples, related terms linked
10. Translations
Pattern: Same content in multiple languages
Examples: "qué es pSEO", "was ist SEO"
URL: /[lang]/[page]/
Value: Quality translation (not just Google Translate), cultural localization
11. Directory
Pattern: [category] tools or [type] software
Examples: "ai copywriting tools", "email marketing software", "crm companies"
URL: /directory/[category]/
Value: Comprehensive coverage, useful filtering, details per listing
12. Profiles
Pattern: [person/company name] or [entity] + [attribute]
Examples: "stripe ceo", "airbnb founding story", "elon musk companies"
URL: /people/[name]/
Value: Accurate, sourced information, unique insights
You can combine patterns: "Marketing agencies for startups in Austin" (Locations + Personas), "Best coworking spaces in San Diego" (Curation + Locations)
Workflow
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Pattern Selection: Pick ONE scalable pattern with real search demand.
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Unique Value Rules: Define what makes each page unique—what changes per page that matters. Avoid thin content by ensuring genuine differentiation.
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Template Design:
- Intent-matching core content
- Data-driven block (unique per page)
- Comparison/alternatives (if relevant)
- FAQ/definitions (AEO/GEO friendly)
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URL Structure: Use subfolders, clean slugs, consistent pattern. Example:
/templates/[type]/or/[service]/[city]/ -
Thin Content Gate: Checklist that every page must pass:
- Provides unique value (not just variable substitution)
- Answers search intent
- Has sufficient unique content
- Includes data/insights specific to this page
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Production Plan:
- Data generation/acquisition
- Page rendering (template + data)
- Internal linking (hub + spokes model)
- Sitemap + indexation strategy
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Measurement: Track indexing rate, impressions, CTR, position buckets by pattern
Output
- Template spec: Sections + data fields required
- Unique value rules: Checklist for what makes each page unique
- First 10 pages: Prioritized list to build first
- Internal linking plan: Hub page + spoke pages structure
- Quality checklist: Pre-launch validation criteria