programmatic-seo-builder

Programmatic SEO Builder

Design scalable page templates that rank without appearing thin or auto-generated.

Process

1. Define page type - Location, comparison, directory, definition, converter
2. Create title pattern - Keyword + modifier formula
3. Design page template - Sections, variable content, unique elements
4. Plan internal linking - Hub and spoke model
5. Specify schema markup - Appropriate JSON-LD
6. Add uniqueness requirements - Avoid thin content penalties

Common Programmatic Page Types

Type	URL Pattern	Example
Location	/[service]-in-[city]	/plumber-in-austin
Comparison	/[product-a]-vs-[product-b]	/notion-vs-airtable
Directory	/best-[category]-for-[use-case]	/best-crm-for-startups
Definition	/what-is-[term]	/what-is-seo
Converter	/[x]-to-[y]-converter	/usd-to-eur-converter

Title Tag Formulas

Pattern	Template	Example
Local service	[Service] in [City] - [Brand]	"Personal Injury Lawyer in Phoenix - Smith Law"
Best + Year	Best [Category] [Year] - [Brand]	"Best CRM Software 2025 - TechReview"
Comparison	[Product A] vs [Product B]: [Year] Comparison	"Notion vs Airtable: 2025 Comparison"
How to	How to [Action] + [Modifier]	"How to Convert PDF to Word Free"
Definition	What is [Term]? Definition + [Examples/Guide]	"What is SEO? Definition + Complete Guide"

Internal Linking: Hub & Spoke Model

Hub Page: "Marketing Tools" (comprehensive guide)
    │
    ├── Spoke: "Email Marketing Tools" 
    │   └── Links to: Hub, SEO Tools, Social Tools
    │
    ├── Spoke: "SEO Tools"
    │   └── Links to: Hub, Email Tools, Analytics Tools
    │
    ├── Spoke: "Social Media Tools"
    │   └── Links to: Hub, Email Tools, Content Tools
    │
    └── Each spoke links to:
        • Parent hub (always)
        • 2-3 related spokes (contextually)
        • Relevant comparison pages

Schema Markup Requirements

Page Type	Schema	Required Properties
Location	LocalBusiness	name, address, telephone, openingHours
Comparison	Product (multiple)	name, description, review, aggregateRating
Directory	ItemList	itemListElement[], numberOfItems
Definition	FAQPage or Article	mainEntity (FAQ) or headline, author (Article)
Converter	WebApplication	name, applicationCategory, offers

Always include: BreadcrumbList for navigation structure

Thin Content Avoidance

Minimum Requirements

• Word count: 300-500 words unique content per page
• Unique sections: 2-3 sections beyond templated structure
• Intent match: Specific answer to the search query
• Variable depth: Context added, not just name-swapping

What Makes Pages Thin (Avoid)

• Only swapping city/product names in identical text
• No unique insights or local/specific information
• Template visible through multiple pages
• No added value beyond what database provides

What Makes Pages Valuable (Do)

• Unique introductions per page variant
• Specific data points (local stats, product specs)
• Custom recommendations based on variant
• User-generated content where appropriate
• FAQ section with variant-specific questions

Output Format

## Programmatic SEO Specification

### Page Type Overview
- **Type**: [Location/Comparison/Directory/etc.]
- **URL Pattern**: /[pattern]
- **Target Keywords**: [X] pages targeting [keyword pattern]
- **Data Source**: [Where variable data comes from]

### Title Tag Template

[Template with variables]

**Examples**:
- [Example 1]
- [Example 2]

### Meta Description Template

[Template with variables]

### Page Template Structure

#### Section 1: [Header]
- **Content type**: [Static/Variable/Mixed]
- **Requirements**: [Specifications]

#### Section 2: [Header]
...

### Internal Linking Rules
- **Hub page**: [URL]
- **Link to hub**: [Where in template]
- **Related spokes**: [Logic for selection]
- **Contextual links**: [Placement rules]

### Schema Markup (JSON-LD)
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "[Type]",
  ...
}

Uniqueness Requirements

• [Requirement 1]
• [Requirement 2]
• [Requirement 3]

Thin Content Safeguards

• Minimum word count: [X]
• Required unique sections: [List]
• Variable content depth: [Specifications]

Example Page

URL: [Example URL] Title: [Example title] H1: [Example H1] [Brief content outline]

## Example

**Input**: "Build programmatic SEO template for 'best [software] for [industry]' pages. Data source is a database of 50 software tools and 20 industries."

**Output**:

Programmatic SEO Specification

Page Type Overview

• Type: Directory/Recommendation
• URL Pattern: /best-[software-category]-for-[industry]
• Target Keywords: 1,000 pages (50 tools × 20 industries)
• Data Source: Software database + industry requirements mapping

Title Tag Template

Best [Software Category] for [Industry] ([Year]) | [Brand]

Examples:

• Best CRM Software for Real Estate (2025) | TechReview
• Best Project Management Tools for Agencies (2025) | TechReview

Meta Description Template

Discover the best [software] for [industry] in [year]. Compare top [X] options with pricing, features, and expert recommendations for [industry] professionals.

Page Template Structure

Section 1: Introduction (Variable)

• Content type: Variable - industry-specific
• Requirements: 100-150 words addressing why [industry] needs specialized [software], unique challenges

Section 2: Quick Picks Summary (Variable)

• Content type: Variable based on industry fit scores
• Requirements: Top 3 picks with one-line reasoning, links to full reviews

Section 3: Detailed Recommendations (Variable)

• Content type: Mixed - template structure, variable content
• Requirements:
  • 5-7 tools per page
  • Each tool: 150-200 words
  • Industry-specific use case for each
  • Pricing with industry discount notes
  • Pros/cons relevant to industry workflow

Section 4: How We Evaluated (Static)

• Content type: Static
• Requirements: Methodology transparency, criteria list

Section 5: Industry-Specific Buying Guide (Variable)

• Content type: Variable
• Requirements: 200-300 words on considerations specific to [industry]

Section 6: FAQ (Variable)

• Content type: Variable - 5 questions per page
• Requirements: Industry + software specific questions

Internal Linking Rules

• Hub page: /best-software-tools/
• Link to hub: In introduction and footer
• Related spokes: Link to same-industry different-software and same-software different-industry
• Contextual links: Individual tool review pages

Schema Markup

{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "ItemList",
  "name": "Best [Software] for [Industry]",
  "numberOfItems": 7,
  "itemListElement": [
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 1,
      "item": {
        "@type": "Product",
        "name": "[Tool Name]",
        "description": "[Industry-specific description]"
      }
    }
  ]
}

Uniqueness Requirements

• Industry-specific introduction (not just name swap)
• Custom tool ordering based on industry fit algorithm
• Industry-specific pros/cons for each tool
• Unique FAQ questions per industry
• Buying guide section tailored to industry workflow

Thin Content Safeguards

• Minimum word count: 1,500 words
• Required unique sections: Introduction, Buying Guide, FAQ
• Each tool must have industry-specific recommendation paragraph

## Guidelines

- Always include thin content safeguards
- Schema must match page type
- Internal linking logic must be systematic
- Provide actual template structure, not just concepts
- If data source unclear, ask before proceeding
- Flag if proposed scale risks quality issues