TimeLens SEO project template

SEO: Search Engine Optimization Project

Copy a 343-step SEO project template covering technical SEO, keyword mapping, content refreshes, structured data, internal links, trust signals, reporting, and a 30-day sprint.

SEO Foundation Audit

18 checklist items for seo foundation audit.

  • Set up Google Search Console.
  • Set up Google Analytics or another analytics tool.
  • Submit XML sitemap.
  • Check `robots.txt`.
  • Check that important pages are indexable.
  • Fix accidental `noindex` tags.
  • Check canonical tags.
  • Remove duplicate pages.
  • Remove thin or low-value pages.
  • Fix broken internal links.
  • Check HTTPS.
  • Check mobile usability.
  • Review indexed pages in Google Search Console.
  • Identify pages with impressions but low clicks.
  • Identify pages ranking on page 2 or 3.
  • Identify pages with declining traffic.
  • Add internal links to important pages.
  • Improve titles and meta descriptions for pages with low CTR.

Keyword and Search Intent Mapping

15 checklist items for keyword and search intent mapping.

  • Identify primary keywords.
  • Identify secondary keywords.
  • Identify long-tail keywords.
  • Group keywords by intent.
  • Map one main keyword cluster to each important page.
  • Avoid multiple pages targeting the same keyword.
  • Identify keywords ranking between positions 4-20.
  • Identify comparison keywords.
  • Identify problem-aware keywords.
  • Identify "how to" keywords.
  • Identify "best," "alternatives," "pricing," and "reviews" keywords.
  • Create a keyword-to-page map.
  • Update pages that are already close to ranking.
  • Add missing sections that better match search intent.
  • Merge competing pages targeting the same topic.

Existing Content Refresh

16 checklist items for existing content refresh.

  • Find pages with traffic decline.
  • Find pages with outdated information.
  • Find pages with weak introductions.
  • Find pages missing FAQs.
  • Find pages missing examples.
  • Find pages missing expert insight.
  • Find pages missing internal links.
  • Update statistics, dates, screenshots, and examples.
  • Improve page structure with better headings.
  • Add original insights, experience, and use cases.
  • Improve answer clarity in the first 100 words.
  • Add comparison tables where useful.
  • Remove fluff and generic content.
  • Refresh the top declining pages first.
  • Rewrite weak titles.
  • Add current-year relevance where genuinely useful.

Content Gap Strategy

17 checklist items for content gap strategy.

  • Audit competitor pages.
  • Identify missing subtopics.
  • Identify unanswered beginner questions.
  • Identify advanced questions.
  • Identify objections users have before buying.
  • Identify use cases.
  • Identify alternative pages.
  • Identify comparison pages.
  • Identify glossary terms.
  • Identify industry-specific pages.
  • Identify customer pain points.
  • Identify bottom-of-funnel pages.
  • Prioritize topics by business value.
  • Prioritize topics by ranking difficulty.
  • Prioritize topics by conversion potential.
  • Publish bottom-of-funnel pages first.
  • Turn sales objections into SEO pages.

On Page SEO

18 checklist items for on page seo.

  • Use one clear H1.
  • Add descriptive H2s and H3s.
  • Include the primary topic naturally in the title.
  • Include the primary topic naturally in the H1.
  • Include the primary topic naturally in the first paragraph.
  • Include the primary topic naturally in the URL.
  • Include the primary topic naturally in the meta description.
  • Write compelling title tags.
  • Keep URLs short and descriptive.
  • Add internal links.
  • Add external citations where useful.
  • Use descriptive anchor text.
  • Add summary sections.
  • Add FAQs.
  • Add tables, examples, and checklists.
  • Avoid keyword stuffing.
  • Remove repetitive paragraphs.
  • Make the page easy to scan.

Technical SEO

21 checklist items for technical seo.

  • Crawl the website using an SEO crawler.
  • Fix 404 errors.
  • Fix redirect chains.
  • Fix duplicate title tags.
  • Fix duplicate meta descriptions.
  • Fix missing H1s.
  • Fix confusing multiple H1s.
  • Fix orphan pages.
  • Fix sitemap errors.
  • Check canonicalization.
  • Check pagination.
  • Check JavaScript rendering issues.
  • Check structured data errors.
  • Check Core Web Vitals.
  • Compress large images.
  • Lazy-load non-critical images.
  • Reduce unused JavaScript.
  • Improve server response time.
  • Check mobile performance.
  • Fix broken pages with backlinks.
  • Remove unnecessary redirects.

Internal Linking System

15 checklist items for internal linking system.

  • Identify highest-authority pages.
  • Identify most important conversion pages.
  • Add links from blog posts to product or service pages.
  • Add links from old content to new content.
  • Use descriptive anchor text.
  • Create topic clusters.
  • Add breadcrumbs.
  • Add related articles.
  • Link from the homepage to priority pages.
  • Link from navigation to key categories.
  • Fix orphan pages.
  • Avoid excessive irrelevant links.
  • Update old posts with links to newer pages.
  • Add 5-10 internal links to each priority page.
  • Add links from high-traffic blog posts to money pages.

Topic Cluster Authority

14 checklist items for topic cluster authority.

  • Choose one main pillar topic.
  • Create one pillar page.
  • Create supporting articles around subtopics.
  • Link supporting articles back to the pillar page.
  • Link the pillar page to supporting articles.
  • Cover beginner questions.
  • Cover intermediate questions.
  • Cover advanced questions.
  • Add examples and original experience.
  • Add templates, checklists, and frameworks.
  • Add visuals where helpful.
  • Update the cluster regularly.
  • Track rankings across the whole cluster.
  • Build 8-12 supporting pages around each commercial topic.

AI Search Optimization

18 checklist items for ai search optimization.

  • Answer questions clearly and directly.
  • Add concise summaries near the top.
  • Use structured headings.
  • Include definitions.
  • Include step-by-step explanations.
  • Add comparison tables.
  • Add pros and cons.
  • Add original examples.
  • Add expert commentary.
  • Cite credible sources.
  • Keep author and company information clear.
  • Add schema where relevant.
  • Make content easy to extract and quote.
  • Avoid vague claims.
  • Update content regularly.
  • Build brand mentions across credible sources.
  • Add direct answers under each H2.
  • Add concise FAQs.

Structured Data

14 checklist items for structured data.

  • Add Organization schema.
  • Add Website schema.
  • Add Breadcrumb schema.
  • Add Article schema for blog posts.
  • Add Product schema where relevant.
  • Add FAQ schema only where appropriate.
  • Add Review schema only when compliant.
  • Add LocalBusiness schema for local businesses.
  • Validate schema using Google's tools.
  • Avoid fake reviews or misleading markup.
  • Keep schema consistent with visible page content.
  • Fix structured data errors in Search Console.
  • Add breadcrumb schema sitewide.
  • Add article schema to important blog posts.

E-E-A-T and Trust

18 checklist items for e-e-a-t and trust.

  • Add clear author names.
  • Add author bios.
  • Add expert reviewers where needed.
  • Add company About page.
  • Add contact information.
  • Add editorial policy.
  • Add privacy policy.
  • Add refund or return policy if relevant.
  • Add customer testimonials.
  • Add case studies.
  • Add original screenshots.
  • Add first-hand experience.
  • Cite credible sources.
  • Update outdated content.
  • Avoid exaggerated claims.
  • Be transparent about limitations.
  • Improve About page.
  • Add proof, examples, and screenshots.

Local SEO

16 checklist items for local seo.

  • Optimize Google Business Profile.
  • Add correct business name, address, and phone number.
  • Add business categories.
  • Add services.
  • Add business hours.
  • Add photos.
  • Add FAQs.
  • Collect reviews.
  • Respond to reviews.
  • Add local landing pages.
  • Add location-specific keywords.
  • Add LocalBusiness schema.
  • Build local citations.
  • Ensure NAP consistency.
  • Add an embedded map where useful.
  • Add local testimonials.

Backlink and Digital PR

17 checklist items for backlink and digital pr.

  • Audit current backlinks.
  • Identify spammy or low-quality links.
  • Find unlinked brand mentions.
  • Find competitor backlinks.
  • Build linkable assets.
  • Publish original data.
  • Publish industry insights.
  • Create templates and tools.
  • Pitch expert quotes.
  • Pitch guest articles selectively.
  • Build partner links.
  • Get listed on relevant directories.
  • Avoid paid spam links.
  • Avoid link farms.
  • Avoid irrelevant mass outreach.
  • Claim unlinked brand mentions.
  • Get links from partners and customers.

Conversion SEO

16 checklist items for conversion seo.

  • Match page intent to CTA.
  • Add above-the-fold CTA.
  • Add sticky CTA where appropriate.
  • Add trust signals.
  • Add testimonials.
  • Add comparison sections.
  • Add pricing clarity.
  • Add FAQs near CTA.
  • Add demo or request form.
  • Reduce form friction.
  • Add internal links to conversion pages.
  • Track conversions by landing page.
  • Test different CTA copy.
  • Add lead magnets for informational pages.
  • Add CTA to top traffic pages.
  • Add product or service links inside blog posts.

Image SEO

13 checklist items for image seo.

  • Compress images.
  • Use modern formats like WebP where suitable.
  • Add descriptive filenames.
  • Add useful alt text.
  • Avoid keyword stuffing in alt text.
  • Add captions where useful.
  • Lazy-load below-the-fold images.
  • Set image width and height.
  • Use original visuals where possible.
  • Create diagrams and screenshots.
  • Add image sitemap if needed.
  • Rename generic files like `image123.png`.
  • Replace stock images with original screenshots or diagrams.

Video SEO

14 checklist items for video seo.

  • Use keyword-focused video titles.
  • Add detailed descriptions.
  • Add chapters.
  • Add captions or transcripts.
  • Embed videos on relevant pages.
  • Add VideoObject schema.
  • Create strong video thumbnails.
  • Add summary below embedded videos.
  • Repurpose videos into articles.
  • Repurpose articles into short videos.
  • Add internal links from video pages.
  • Track YouTube and website performance.
  • Add transcripts to existing videos.
  • Embed videos into ranking blog posts.

Programmatic SEO

15 checklist items for programmatic seo.

  • Use programmatic SEO only where pages provide unique value.
  • Avoid mass-generating near-duplicate pages.
  • Add unique data to each page.
  • Add unique examples.
  • Add unique FAQs.
  • Add internal links.
  • Add filters and categories carefully.
  • Prevent indexing of low-value parameter pages.
  • Review page quality manually.
  • Monitor indexed page count.
  • Monitor traffic quality.
  • Remove or improve weak pages.
  • Start with 20-50 high-value pages.
  • Create strong templates with unique content blocks.
  • Add custom insights to each page.

SEO Content Production System

19 checklist items for seo content production system.

  • Create SEO briefs.
  • Define target audience.
  • Define search intent.
  • Define primary keyword.
  • Define secondary keywords.
  • Define required sections.
  • Define internal links.
  • Define external sources.
  • Add examples.
  • Add screenshots.
  • Add expert input.
  • Add original point of view.
  • Edit for clarity.
  • Check factual accuracy.
  • Check duplication.
  • Add metadata.
  • Publish and submit for indexing.
  • Create a reusable SEO content brief.
  • Build a publishing checklist.

SEO Measurement and Reporting

19 checklist items for seo measurement and reporting.

  • Track organic clicks.
  • Track impressions.
  • Track average position.
  • Track CTR.
  • Track indexed pages.
  • Track conversions.
  • Track assisted conversions.
  • Track branded traffic.
  • Track non-branded traffic.
  • Track top landing pages.
  • Track declining pages.
  • Track keyword groups.
  • Track backlinks.
  • Track Core Web Vitals.
  • Track content updates.
  • Track revenue or leads from SEO.
  • Build a monthly SEO dashboard.
  • Separate branded and non-branded search.
  • Tie SEO pages to conversions.

30 Day SEO Sprint

30 checklist items for 30 day seo sprint.

  • Set up tracking.
  • Run a technical audit.
  • Fix indexing issues.
  • Fix sitemap issues.
  • Fix broken links.
  • Identify top opportunity pages.
  • Identify traffic-declining pages.
  • Prioritize 10 pages for refresh.
  • Update top 10 pages.
  • Rewrite titles and meta descriptions.
  • Improve introductions.
  • Add missing sections.
  • Add FAQs.
  • Add internal links.
  • Add schema where relevant.
  • Improve CTAs.
  • Publish comparison pages.
  • Publish alternative pages.
  • Publish use-case pages.
  • Publish problem-solution articles.
  • Publish one pillar page.
  • Add supporting cluster articles.
  • Link related pages properly.
  • Build backlinks from partners.
  • Claim unlinked mentions.
  • Improve About and author pages.
  • Add testimonials.
  • Add case studies.
  • Review Search Console results.
  • Plan the next month based on data.

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