How do you go about planning/organization when it comes to keyword clusters and improving topical relevance?

What method do you use to organize pillar and cluster page keywords if you're familiar with SEO? Do you rely on a spreadsheet, a tool, or a custom system to effectively manage page structure and keyword assignments? I'm interested in learning how others handle this process in a scalable way.

A spreadsheet is a common starting point for organizing pillar and cluster page keywords. It allows you to map out your topic clusters and assign relevant keywords to each page. You can use columns for things like:

  • Target Keyword: The main keyword you’re aiming to rank for.
  • Page Title: The title of the page that will target the keyword.
  • URL: The URL of the page.
  • Content Outline: A brief outline of the content on the page.
  • Related Keywords: A list of related keywords that you want to include in the content.
  • Search Volume: The monthly search volume for the keyword.
  • Competition: An assessment of the competition for the keyword.
  • Content Status: Whether the page is in draft, in progress, or published.

You can also use visual tools like mind maps or diagrams to help you brainstorm and visualize your topic clusters. Some popular tools for keyword research and organization include:

  • SEMrush: A comprehensive SEO tool that offers keyword research, content analysis, and competitive analysis features.
  • Ahrefs: Another powerful SEO tool that provides data on keywords, backlinks, and website traffic.
  • Moz: Offers keyword research, site audits, and rank tracking tools.

When organizing your keywords, it’s important to consider the following:

  • User Intent: What are users searching for when they use these keywords?
  • Keyword Difficulty: How competitive is the keyword landscape for each target keyword?
  • Content Quality: Ensure your content is high-quality, informative, and engaging.

Remember, your keyword strategy should be dynamic and adaptable. Regularly monitor your keywords’ performance and make adjustments as needed.