programmatic-seo

What this skill does

# SEO: Programmatic SEO

Guides programmatic SEO—creating large numbers of SEO-optimized pages automatically using templates and structured data, rather than writing each page manually. **Classic “mail merge” pSEO** (one rigid template + swapped variables) often produced **low differentiation** and thin-feeling URLs. **With AI used responsibly on top of the same data spine**, you can scale **per-URL customization**—intent-aligned copy, section depth, FAQs, tone, localization—while still following **evidence blocks**, **data tiers**, and **QA** (see **Data strength hierarchy** and **AI-assisted generation** below).

**When invoking**: On **first use**, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On **subsequent use** or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output.

**Project context**: If `.claude/project-context.md` or `.cursor/project-context.md` exists, read product/ICP sections before proposing playbooks or page types.

## Definition

**Programmatic SEO** = Building a single template and populating it with data from a database, API, or spreadsheet to generate hundreds or thousands of unique pages. Each page targets a long-tail keyword (e.g., "best SEO tool in [city]," "[App A] + [App B] integration").

**Key differences from traditional SEO**: Technical (SEOs + engineers); long-tail focus; data-driven (data quality = success); automation; built for scale.

## Classic limits vs AI-enhanced differentiation

| Era | What breaks | What helps |
|-----|-------------|------------|
| **Rigid pSEO** | One template, minimal variance → similar titles/bodies, weak **E-E-A-T**, “obvious mail merge” | Still needs **unique evidence per URL** and selective indexation |
| **AI-enhanced pSEO** | Same **structured rows** (facts, SKUs, metrics) drive the page, but models add **per-URL narrative**: intros, FAQ depth, persona angles, localization, internal-link suggestions—**higher differentiation** at scale | **Facts stay in your data layer**; AI shapes **phrasing and structure**, not invented numbers—see **AI-assisted generation** |

**Best-practice stance**: AI is an **accelerator and customizer**, not a substitute for **data defensibility** (Tiers 1–5) or **technical SEO** (URLs, schema, CWV). Used well, it aligns with **quality over quantity**: fewer thin URLs, more **distinct** useful pages.

## Three-Part Framework

| Component | Role |
|-----------|------|
| **Templates** | Reusable page structures: layout, headings, internal links, content blocks; conditional logic for empty fields |
| **Data** | Structured information: locations, products, prices, features—must be accurate, complete, and add genuine value |
| **Automation** | Systems connecting data to templates; pages generated dynamically or published in bulk |
| **AI layer (optional)** | On **grounded inputs** (row JSON + rules), generates **varied copy**, FAQ expansions, and section emphasis **per URL**—reduces “same template” fatigue while staying auditable |

## Page Playbook Matrix (`skills/pages`)

Page types in this library live under `pages/{brand|content|legal|marketing|utility}/`. Use the matrix below to map **search pattern → playbook → which `*-page-generator` skill** to open for structure, copy, and schema—not every folder is a good fit for mass-generated URLs.

| Playbook | Example intent / keyword pattern | Page skill (`name`) | Path (reference) |
|----------|----------------------------------|---------------------|------------------|
| **Alternatives / comparisons** | "[Competitor] alternatives", "X vs Y" | alternatives-page-generator | `pages/marketing/alternatives` |
| **Integrations** | "[Product A] [Product B] integration" | integrations-page-generator | `pages/marketing/integrations` |
| **Category / catalog** | Faceted listings, product grids | category-page-generator, products-page-generator | `pages/marketing/category-pages`, `products` |
| **Glossary / definitions** | "what is [term]", term landings | glossary-page-generator | `pages/content/glossary` |
| **FAQ / Q&A** | Question banks, PAA-style pages | faq-page-generator | `pages/content/faq` |
| **How-to / procedures** | Step libraries, "[how to] [task]" blocks in templates | howto-section-generator | `components/content/howto-section` |
| **Comparison matrix (blocks)** | Feature/criteria grids, "vs" cells from data feed | comparison-table-generator | `components/content/comparison-table` |
| **Tools & lead magnets** | "free [x] tool/calculator" | tools-page-generator | `pages/content/tools` |
| **Template gallery** | Browse → detail (your templates) | template-page-generator | `pages/content/template-page` |
| **Resource hub** | Guides, hubs, download centers | resources-page-generator | `pages/content/resources` |
| **Use cases / solutions** | "for [role]", "by industry" | use-cases-page-generator, solutions-page-generator | `pages/marketing/use-cases`, `solutions` |
| **Migration / switching** | "migrate from [X]" | migration-page-generator | `pages/marketing/migration` |
| **Campaign landing** | Paid/segment LPs | landing-page-generator | `pages/marketing/landing-page` |
| **Blog / article** | Long-tail articles at scale | blog-page-generator, article-page-generator | `pages/content/blog`, `article` |
| **Docs / features / API** | Scalable doc sections, feature landings, `/api` marketing | docs-page-generator, features-page-generator, api-page-generator | `pages/content/docs`, `features`, `api` |
| **Social proof** | Logos, case studies, galleries | press-coverage-page-generator, customer-stories-page-generator, showcase-page-generator | `pages/marketing/press-coverage`, `customer-stories`, `showcase` |
| **Programs & offers** | Startups/education, contests, downloads, affiliate, media kit | startups-page-generator, contest-page-generator, download-page-generator, affiliate-page-generator, media-kit-page-generator | `pages/marketing/*` |
| **Pricing / services** | Plans, offerings (use sparingly for pSEO) | pricing-page-generator, services-page-generator | `pages/marketing/pricing`, `services` |

**Usually not mass programmatic** (single primary URL or compliance-heavy): `pages/brand/*` (home, about, contact), `pages/legal/*`, most `pages/utility/*` (404, status, signup-login, etc.)—treat as one-off or policy-driven, not template×data scale.

## Choosing a Playbook

| If you have… | Lean toward… | Open first… |
|----------------|--------------|-------------|
| Competitor list + positioning | Alternatives / comparisons | alternatives-page-generator |
| Integration directory (your + partners') | Integrations matrix | integrations-page-generator |
| Product catalog or SKUs | Category / product grids | category-page-generator, products-page-generator |
| Term / definition database | Glossary | glossary-page-generator |
| Support tickets / PAA mined questions | FAQ scale | faq-page-generator |
| How-to step banks / procedure templates | HowTo sections in scaled pages | howto-section-generator |
| Competitor/feature matrix from data | Comparison table blocks in scaled pages | comparison-table-generator (+ alternatives-page-generator for URL intent) |
| Lead magnets, calculators | Tools hub + per-tool | tools-page-generator |
| **Your own templates** (exports, gallery items) | Template marketplace | template-page-generator |
| ICP × industry matrix | Use cases / solutions | use-cases-page-generator, solutions-page-generator |
| Import paths from competitors | Migration | migration-page-generator |
| Campaign or geo LPs | Landing pages | landing-page-generator |
| Long-form SEO articles | Blog index + single post | blog-page-generator, article-page-generator |

## Template Structure (Recommended)

| Section | Purpose |
|---------|---------|
| **Intro** | Introduction; matches user intent |
| **Evidence block** | Data-driven content unique to each page (tables, lists, verified stats); differentiates from thin content |
| **Decision** | Comparison, re