Marketers need to start preparing for changes in how search engines rank content. Content clustering will become more important than using individual keywords. By creating clusters of related content around a central topic, you can improve your chances of ranking higher in search results. This can help improve your website’s search engine ranking for certain keywords related to the topic of your content cluster.
Here are some tips for getting started with content clustering. But first, we need to understand what content clustering is.
What Are Content Clusters?
The pillar page is the main hub or core page that will cover the main topic. Content clusters are a group of related content pieces that all revolve around a certain topic or “pillar”. This can include blog posts, infographics, videos, and more. The topic clusters should contain more detail for each specific long-tail keywords that are related to the main topic. Secondary clusters are clusters that cover topics in the content cluster. For each of these content pieces to be effective, it will need to be interlinked from the main pillar page.
Why Are Content Clusters Important?
Content clusters are important because they help search engines understand the relationship between different pieces of content on your website. This can help improve your website’s search engine ranking for certain keywords related to the topic of your content cluster. By grouping related pieces of content, content clusters help to improve the overall quality of your content while making it easier for readers to find the information they need. There are several benefits to content clustering, including improved search engine optimization and increased engagement. In addition, content clusters can help to build trust with your audience by establishing you as an authority on your chosen topic. As a result, taking the time to develop content clusters can be a valuable investment for any content marketer.
There are plenty of content clustering tools that you can use, the easiest being SEMrush
How Do Content Clusters Work?
Content clusters work by creating a network of interlinked content pieces that are all related to a central topic. The main piece of content often referred to as the “pillar” piece, is typically a longer, more in-depth piece that covers the topic in detail. This pillar piece is then surrounded by several other pieces of content, known as “cluster content,” that all link back to the pillar piece.
For example, let’s say you want to write a blog post about the vegan diet. Some possible content clusters you could create around this topic might include food items to eat on the vegan diet, vegan-friendly recipes, or tips for following the vegan diet. By creating content clusters, you can ensure that your website covers all aspects of a given topic, making it more likely to rank high in search engine results. In addition, content clusters help to keep your website organized and easy to navigate. By grouping similar topics together, you can make it simpler for readers to find the information they’re looking for.
Why Are Content Clusters Important For SEO?
Content clusters are important for SEO because they help search engines understand the relationship between different pieces of content. As any SEO expert knows, content is essential for ranking high on search engine results pages. However, simply churning out endless pages of text is not enough – the content must be well-organized and relevant to the keywords you are targeting. This is where content clusters come in.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Content Clusters?
There are many benefits to using content clusters, including:
- Improved search engine rankings: As mentioned above, content clusters can help improve your website’s search engine ranking for certain keywords related to the topic of your content cluster.
- Increased traffic: By improving your website’s search engine ranking, you can also increase the amount of traffic that your website receives.
- Improved user experience: Content clusters can also help improve the user experience on your website by providing a more comprehensive and organized view of information on a particular topic.
Creating An SEO Cluster SEO Strategy
Here are steps you can follow when developing a content strategy for topic clusters:
Step 1: Find your core topic
Ensure that the core topic is highly relevant to your brand and customers and that it solves problems or answers questions.
Step 2: Map topics and clusters for the core page
It’s important to understand the brand first before mapping topics and clusters and ensure that there’s a full understanding of what the site does and its objective. It is also crucial to be thinking about broad topics instead of keywords.
Step 3: Keyword research around topics
Once the topic mapping is complete, we need to add the relevant keywords that will be targeted on each topic. Here we also need to add the search volumes for each keyword.
Step 4: Review topic map and clusters research
Once you have mapped topics and clusters, they will need to be reviewed. A content audit will also need to be done to ensure we are covering all the topics relevant topics and if we already have content in place for certain topics and clusters.
Step 5: Create content briefs
Once we have our keyword research for each topic and cluster, and we know which content we have and don’t have on the site, we can then brief the content to a content writer.
Step 6: Write pillar and cluster copy
Having a clear brief for the content writer will ensure that they write relevant copy, and copy that will rank.
Content clusters will become more important than keywords. This means businesses need to start thinking about how they can create valuable, relevant content for their target audience.
At Algorithm Agency, we specialize in helping businesses do just that. If you want help creating a content strategy that will help you rank higher and drive traffic to your website, give us a call. We would be happy to chat with you about your business and see how we could help.
Author : Ntokozo Dlamini