# SEO Guidelines

SEO requirements and targets for all content.

## Content Requirements

### Length
| Content Type | Minimum | Target | Maximum |
|--------------|---------|--------|---------|
| Blog posts | 1500 | 2500 | 4000 |
| Product pages | 500 | 800 | 1500 |
| Landing pages | 800 | 1200 | 2000 |

### Readability
- Flesch Reading Ease: 60-70
- Grade Level: 8-10 (accessible to general audience)
- Average sentence length: 15-20 words
- Passive voice: <20%

## Keyword Optimization

### Density
- Primary keyword: 1-2%
- Secondary keywords: 0.5-1%
- Avoid stuffing (>2.5% feels unnatural)

### Placement Checklist
- [ ] Primary keyword in H1
- [ ] Primary keyword in first 100 words
- [ ] Primary keyword in 2-3 H2 headings (naturally)
- [ ] Primary keyword in conclusion
- [ ] Primary keyword in meta title
- [ ] Primary keyword in meta description
- [ ] Primary keyword in URL slug

## Meta Elements

### Title Tags
- Length: 50-60 characters
- Format: [Primary Keyword]: [Benefit/Angle] | [Brand]
- Examples:
  - "Podcast Monetization: 7 Ways to Make Money | [Brand]"
  - "How to Start a Podcast in 2024: Complete Guide | [Brand]"

### Meta Descriptions
- Length: 150-160 characters
- Include: Primary keyword, value proposition, CTA
- Format: [Hook with keyword]. [Value/benefit]. [CTA].
- Example: "Learn podcast monetization strategies that actually work. From sponsorships to premium content, discover 7 proven ways to make money podcasting. Start earning today."

## Structure

### Headings
- One H1 per page
- 4-6 H2 sections minimum
- H3s for subsections
- Include keyword in 2-3 H2s naturally

### Content Organization
1. Introduction (hook → problem → promise)
2. Body sections (logical flow)
3. Conclusion (summary → CTA)

## Links

### Internal Links
- Quantity: 3-5 per 1000 words
- Link to pillar content
- Use descriptive anchor text
- Vary anchor text

### External Links
- Quantity: 2-3 per article
- Link to authority sources
- Avoid linking to competitors
- Check links work before publishing

## Human Writing Score

### Target
- Minimum: 80/100
- Goal: 85+/100

### Requirements
- No AI vocabulary words
- No puffery patterns
- No superficial analysis
- Specific examples and data
- Conversational tone

## Publishing Checklist

Before publishing, verify:
- [ ] Human writing score 80+
- [ ] SEO score 75+
- [ ] All keyword placements checked
- [ ] Meta title 50-60 chars
- [ ] Meta description 150-160 chars
- [ ] 3+ internal links
- [ ] 2+ external links
- [ ] Images have alt text
- [ ] URL is SEO-friendly
