Introduction
SEO optimization isn't just about keywords—it's about crafting precise instructions for search engines and AI tools. After working on dozens of sites, I've compiled 12 battle-tested prompts that help with meta tags, content creation, and site structure. Each prompt includes a real usage example and the actual code or output it generates.
These prompts work with GPT-4, Claude, or any advanced language model. They're designed to produce production-ready results with minimal editing. Whether you're fixing a single page or scaling content for a large site, this collection will save you hours.
12 Prompts for SEO Optimization
1. Generate a Click-Worthy Title Tag
Prompt:
Act as an SEO specialist. Generate 5 title tags for a blog post about [topic]. Each title must:
- Be under 60 characters (including spaces)
- Include primary keyword: [keyword]
- Use power words (e.g., ultimate, complete, proven)
- Be unique and clickable
- Avoid clickbait
Output as a numbered list with character count.
Usage example:
For a post about "vegan meal prep," the prompt returned:
1. "Ultimate Vegan Meal Prep Guide: 20 Easy Recipes" (49 chars)
2. "Proven Vegan Meal Prep Tips for Busy Weekdays" (48 chars)
2. Write a Compelling Meta Description
Prompt:
Write a meta description for a page about [page topic]. Follow these rules:
- Maximum 160 characters
- Include primary keyword: [keyword]
- Include a clear call to action (e.g., "Learn", "Discover", "Get")
- Summarize the unique value proposition
- No quotes, no special characters
Output only the meta description.
Usage example:
Page: "SEO tools for small businesses"
Output: "Discover the best SEO tools for small businesses. Compare features, pricing, and reviews. Find the perfect tool to boost your organic traffic today." (151 chars)
3. Create an Outline for SEO-Optimized Content
Prompt:
Create a detailed outline for a 2000-word blog post targeting keyword [keyword]. The outline must:
- Include H1 (title), H2s, and H3s
- Include a FAQ section with 3-5 questions
- Include a section for internal linking opportunities
- Each H2 should have a suggested word count
- Use LSI keywords from the list: [list of LSI keywords]
Output in this format:
## H2 Title (word count)
### H3 Subsection
- Bullet point subtopics
Usage example:
For keyword "remote team management," the outline included H2s like "Challenges of Remote Management" (300 words), "Tools for Virtual Teams" (350 words), and a FAQ with "How do you build trust remotely?"
4. Optimize Existing Content for a Target Keyword
Prompt:
Analyze the following text and optimize it for the keyword [keyword]. Provide:
1. Original keyword density (percentage)
2. Improved version of the text with keyword density 1-3%
3. A list of 5 internal linking suggestions (anchor text + target URL idea)
4. Three places where you added the keyword naturally
Input text: [paste text]
Usage example:
For a product description targeting "ergonomic office chair," the prompt suggested adding the phrase in the first paragraph, a testimonial, and a benefits list—increasing density from 0.5% to 2.1%.
5. Generate JSON-LD Structured Data (FAQ Schema)
Prompt:
Generate JSON-LD structured data for an FAQ section. Use the following questions and answers:
[list of Q&A pairs]
Requirements:
- Use FAQPage schema type (https://schema.org/FAQPage)
- Wrap in <script type="application/ld+json">
- Validate JSON syntax
- Include mainEntity for each Q&A
- Output only the code block
Usage example:
For 3 FAQs about "cloud storage pricing," the prompt generated valid schema that passed Google's Rich Results Test.
6. Rewrite a Title for CTR Improvement
Prompt:
Rewrite the following page title to improve click-through rate (CTR). Current title: [title].
Rules:
- Keep under 60 characters
- Keep primary keyword: [keyword]
- Add: number (if possible), power word, bracketed addition (e.g., [2026 Update])
- Test two versions: one with brackets, one without
- Explain why each version might perform better
Output:
- Version A (character count)
- Version B (character count)
- Recommendation
Usage example:
Original: "How to Start a Blog"
Version A: "How to Start a Blog in 2026: 7-Step Guide" (48 chars)
Version B: "How to Start a Blog: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide" (52 chars)
7. Create a Breadcrumb List for Navigation
Prompt:
Generate an SEO-friendly breadcrumb list for the following page path: [URL path].
Example: /products/electronics/headphones
Output in two formats:
1. HTML with schema.org BreadcrumbList (JSON-LD)
2. Plain text breadcrumb trail (e.g., Home > Products > Electronics > Headphones)
Ensure each breadcrumb item has a name and item URL (use relative URLs).
Usage example:
For path /blog/seo-tips/on-page, the prompt output:
- Home > Blog > SEO Tips > On-Page SEO
- JSON-LD with 4 items, each with @type="ListItem"
8. Suggest Internal Links for a New Page
Prompt:
I have a new page about [topic]. Suggest 5 internal links from my existing site. For each suggestion:
- Anchor text (exact or partial match keyword)
- Target URL (from my sitemap: [paste sitemap or list of URLs])
- Reason why this link adds value (e.g., "supports tutorial", "provides case study")
Focus on linking to pages with high authority (homepage, cornerstone content) and related categories.
Usage example:
For new page "Email marketing automation," suggestions included linking to "Email Marketing Guide" (anchor: "learn email basics") and "Best Tools 2026" (anchor: "top automation platforms").
9. Optimize Image Alt Text for SEO
Prompt:
Generate alt text for the following image description: [description]. The image is on a page targeting keyword [keyword].
Requirements:
- Under 125 characters
- Describe the image naturally (include subject, action, context)
- Include target keyword once (if relevant)
- No keyword stuffing
- Don't start with "image of" or "picture of"
Provide 3 alternatives.
Usage example:
Image: "woman using laptop in coffee shop"
Target keyword: "remote work setup"
Alt text: "Woman checking email on laptop in cozy coffee shop—a practical remote work setup" (85 chars)
10. Check Keyword Cannibalization Across Pages
Prompt:
Analyze the following list of pages and their target keywords for cannibalization. Identify:
1. Pages targeting the same or very similar keywords
2. Suggested consolidation (merge pages or differentiate keywords)
3. Recommended canonical URL for duplicates
Pages and keywords:
[list: URL, target keyword]
Output in a table format:
| Page | Keyword | Issue | Recommendation |
Usage example:
Two pages targeting "best running shoes" were flagged. Recommendation: merge into one comprehensive guide, set canonical to the older page with more backlinks.
11. Generate an SEO-Friendly URL Slug
Prompt:
Generate 3 URL slug options for a page titled [title]. Rules:
- Use hyphens, not underscores
- Keep under 50 characters
- Include primary keyword: [keyword]
- Remove stop words (a, an, the, and, or, but, for, of, with)
- Lowercase only
Rate each option by readability and keyword inclusion.
Usage example:
Title: "The Complete Guide to On-Page SEO for Beginners"
Slugs: /on-page-seo-guide-beginners (33 chars), /complete-on-page-seo-guide (27 chars)
12. Write an H2 Subheading with Keyword Variation
Prompt:
Write 5 H2 subheadings for a section about [section topic] targeting keyword [keyword]. Each H2 must:
- Use a different keyword variation or LSI keyword
- Be under 70 characters
- Sound natural (not forced)
- Include a benefit or angle
Output as a numbered list.
Usage example:
Section: "Benefits of meditation"
Target keyword: "mindfulness meditation"
Output:
1. How Mindfulness Meditation Reduces Stress
2. Improve Focus with Daily Mindfulness Practice
3. Mindfulness Meditation for Better Sleep
Conclusion
These 12 prompts cover the most common SEO tasks—from meta tags to internal linking. Start by testing one or two on your most important pages. Track changes in click-through rates, impressions, and rankings over 30 days. The best prompts are the ones you adapt to your workflow. Copy them, modify them, and make them yours.
If you have a specific SEO challenge not listed here, feel free to reach out. Happy optimizing!
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