AI · SEO

50+ Best ChatGPT Prompts for SEO You Can Copy and Use Today

I use ChatGPT every day for SEO work. Not as a replacement for strategy, but as a tool that turns a 45-minute task into a 10-minute task. Here are the exact prompts I use for keyword research, content creation, technical audits, and everything in between. Every prompt has been tested on real client projects.

By Shreyas Bagal Published 19 August 2026 Updated 19 August 2026 Read ~18 min Topic AI · SEO

When I first started using ChatGPT for SEO in 2023, the results were mediocre. Generic outputs, hallucinated statistics, and content that read like a Wikipedia summary. Three years later, the models are dramatically better, and more importantly, I have learned how to write prompts that produce genuinely useful results. The difference between a weak prompt and a strong one is the difference between useless filler and a first draft you can actually publish after editing. This guide contains every prompt I use regularly, organised by the SEO task it handles. If you are new to using AI for marketing, start with my broader guide on how to use ChatGPT for marketing. If you want to see the full landscape of AI tools beyond ChatGPT, read my AI tools for marketing roundup.

How to get better results from every prompt

Before diving into the prompts, here are five principles that make every prompt work better.

Be specific about the output format. Instead of "give me keywords," say "give me 20 long-tail keywords in a table with columns for keyword, estimated monthly search volume, and search intent." ChatGPT follows formatting instructions well when you spell them out.

Provide context about your business. Start your conversation with a brief description of your business, target audience, and industry. A prompt like "suggest blog topics for a dental clinic in Pune targeting young professionals" produces far better results than "suggest blog topics for a dentist."

Use role assignment. Opening with "You are an experienced SEO consultant" or "Act as a technical SEO auditor" changes the quality of the output measurably. It primes the model to use domain-specific language and reasoning patterns.

Iterate, do not accept the first output. The first response is a starting point. Follow up with "make it more specific," "add data points," or "rewrite this for someone who has never heard of SEO." The second and third iterations are almost always better.

Never publish raw output. Every prompt below produces a draft, not a finished product. Add your own experience, verify any statistics, and rewrite in your voice. ChatGPT is a first-draft machine, not a publishing tool.

Keyword research prompts

Keyword research is where I use ChatGPT most frequently. It does not replace tools like Google Search Console or Ahrefs, but it generates ideas faster than any other method. For a deeper understanding of keyword research fundamentals, see my keyword research for beginners guide.

Prompt 1: Generate long-tail keyword ideas

"I run a [type of business] in [city]. My target customers are [audience description]. Generate 30 long-tail keyword ideas related to [topic]. For each keyword, include the likely search intent (informational, commercial, transactional, or navigational) and suggest a content format that would rank for it (blog post, landing page, FAQ page, or tool)."

Prompt 2: Find question-based keywords

"List 25 questions that people searching for [topic] would type into Google. Organise them by the stage of the buyer journey: awareness (just learning), consideration (comparing options), and decision (ready to buy or act). Format as a numbered list with the journey stage in brackets after each question."

Prompt 3: Keyword clustering

"Here is a list of 50 keywords: [paste keywords]. Group these into topical clusters where each cluster represents one piece of content. For each cluster, suggest a primary keyword, 3 to 5 secondary keywords, and a working title for the content piece. Present as a table."

Prompt 4: Competitor keyword gap analysis

"I run [your business]. My top 3 competitors are [competitor 1], [competitor 2], [competitor 3]. Based on what you know about these businesses and their likely content strategy, suggest 20 keyword topics they are probably ranking for that I am not covering yet. For each, explain why it matters for my business."

Prompt 5: Local keyword variations

"Generate 20 local SEO keyword variations for a [business type] serving [city/region]. Include keywords with 'near me,' location modifiers, neighbourhood names, and service-plus-location combinations. Format as a table with columns: keyword, intent, suggested page type."

Content brief and outline prompts

Creating a solid content brief before writing saves more time than any other step in the content process.

Prompt 6: Full content brief

"Create a detailed content brief for an article targeting the keyword [keyword]. Include: target word count, search intent analysis, suggested title (3 options), meta description (2 options), H2 and H3 heading structure, key points to cover under each heading, 3 internal linking opportunities, 2 external sources to reference, and a list of questions from People Also Ask to answer within the content."

Prompt 7: Competitive content analysis

"Analyse the top-ranking content for the keyword [keyword]. What topics and subtopics would the top 5 results likely cover? Create an outline that covers everything they cover plus 3 additional angles they are likely missing. The goal is to create the most comprehensive resource on this topic."

Prompt 8: Content angle generator

"I need to write about [topic] but I want a unique angle that stands out from typical blog posts. Suggest 5 different angles I could take, each with a working title and a one-paragraph description of the approach. At least 2 angles should incorporate original data, case studies, or first-person experience."

Prompt 9: Blog post outline with word count targets

"Create a detailed outline for a 2,500-word blog post about [topic]. For each section, provide: the H2 heading, 2 to 3 H3 subheadings, bullet points of what to cover, and a target word count for that section. The total should add up to approximately 2,500 words."

Title tag and meta description prompts

Title tags and meta descriptions are the most high-leverage on-page elements. A better title tag can improve click-through rate by 20% or more without changing your ranking position. For the full checklist, see my on-page SEO checklist.

Prompt 10: Title tag variations

"Generate 10 title tag options for a page targeting the keyword [keyword]. Each title must be under 60 characters, include the keyword naturally, and use a different persuasion angle (curiosity, authority, urgency, specificity, or benefit-driven). Format as a numbered list with character count in brackets."

Prompt 11: Meta description writing

"Write 5 meta descriptions for a page about [topic] targeting the keyword [keyword]. Each must be under 155 characters, include the keyword, contain a clear call to action, and give the searcher a specific reason to click this result over competitors. Include character count."

Prompt 12: Bulk title tag audit

"Here are 15 existing title tags from my website: [paste titles]. For each one, score it out of 10 for: keyword inclusion, length (under 60 chars), click appeal, and uniqueness. Then rewrite any that score below 7. Present as a table."

Prompt 13: Title tag A/B test ideas

"My current title tag for [URL] is: [current title]. It targets the keyword [keyword] and the page currently ranks at position [X]. Suggest 3 alternative title tags that might improve click-through rate. For each alternative, explain what psychological trigger it uses and why it might outperform the current title."

Content writing prompts

These prompts produce first drafts that need editing but save significant writing time.

Prompt 14: Introduction paragraph

"Write an opening paragraph for a blog post titled [title]. The target keyword is [keyword]. The intro must: hook the reader with a relatable problem or surprising fact in the first sentence, establish credibility by referencing practical experience, preview what the reader will learn, and naturally include the keyword. Keep it under 100 words. Write in first person, conversational tone, no fluff."

Prompt 15: Section expansion

"Expand this outline point into 300 to 400 words of blog content: [paste outline point]. Write in first person, conversational but authoritative tone. Include at least one specific example or data point. Do not use filler phrases like 'in today's digital landscape' or 'it's important to note that.' Every sentence should add information the reader did not have before."

Prompt 16: FAQ section generator

"Generate 5 frequently asked questions about [topic] that people would actually search for on Google. For each question, write a concise answer (60 to 100 words) that directly answers the question in the first sentence, then provides supporting detail. These will be used for FAQ schema markup on my website."

Prompt 17: Comparison content

"Write a detailed comparison between [option A] and [option B] for [audience]. Cover: key differences, pricing comparison, pros and cons of each, best use cases for each, and a clear recommendation. Use a neutral, evidence-based tone. Format with comparison tables where appropriate."

Prompt 18: Product or service description

"Write a 200-word service description for [service name] offered by a [business type] in [city]. Target keyword: [keyword]. The description must: explain what the service includes, who it is for, what results clients can expect, and include a natural call to action. Avoid hype words like 'revolutionary' or 'game-changing.'"

Internal linking prompts

Internal linking is one of the most underused SEO tactics. ChatGPT can help you find linking opportunities you would otherwise miss. For the full strategy, read my internal linking strategy guide.

Prompt 19: Find internal linking opportunities

"Here is a list of all pages on my website with their titles and URLs: [paste list]. I just published a new page titled [title] about [topic]. Suggest 10 existing pages that should link to this new page, and for each, suggest the exact anchor text and the sentence context where the link would fit naturally."

Prompt 20: Anchor text variations

"I need to create internal links to my page [URL] which targets the keyword [keyword]. Generate 15 different anchor text variations I can use across my site. Include: exact match, partial match, branded, descriptive, and natural language anchors. No single type should dominate."

Prompt 21: Content hub structure

"I want to build a content hub around the topic [main topic]. I have these existing pages: [paste list]. Suggest a hub-and-spoke structure: which page should be the pillar (hub), which pages are spokes, what new spokes are missing, and how they should all interlink. Draw the linking relationships."

Schema markup prompts

Schema markup is tedious to write by hand. ChatGPT generates valid JSON-LD in seconds.

Prompt 22: FAQ schema

"Generate FAQPage schema markup in JSON-LD format for these 5 questions and answers: [paste Q&As]. The output must be valid JSON-LD that passes Google's Rich Results Test. Include the @context and @type fields."

Prompt 23: LocalBusiness schema

"Generate a complete LocalBusiness schema in JSON-LD for a [business type] with this information: name: [name], address: [full address], phone: [number], website: [URL], opening hours: [hours], services offered: [list services]. Include geo coordinates, priceRange, and areaServed."

Prompt 24: Article schema

"Generate Article schema in JSON-LD for a blog post with: headline [title], author [name], datePublished [date], description [meta description], publisher [organisation name and logo URL], and mainEntityOfPage [URL]. Make it valid for Google's Rich Results Test."

Prompt 25: HowTo schema

"Convert this step-by-step guide into HowTo schema markup in JSON-LD format: [paste steps]. Each step should include a name and text field. Include estimatedCost and totalTime if applicable."

Technical SEO prompts

These prompts help with the analytical side of technical SEO. For the foundational concepts, see my beginner's guide to SEO.

Prompt 26: Robots.txt review

"Here is my robots.txt file: [paste content]. Review it for: any rules that might accidentally block important pages, whether the sitemap is declared, whether AI crawlers (GPTBot, ClaudeBot, PerplexityBot) are handled, and any unnecessary or conflicting rules. Suggest improvements."

Prompt 27: Redirect mapping

"I am migrating my website from [old URL structure] to [new URL structure]. Here are my current URLs: [paste list]. Create a redirect map with columns: old URL, new URL, redirect type (301 or 302), and notes. Flag any URLs that might cause redirect chains or loops."

Prompt 28: Site structure audit

"Here is a list of all pages on my website: [paste URLs]. Analyse the URL structure for: logical hierarchy, click depth issues (any page more than 3 clicks from homepage), orphan page risks, and URL naming consistency. Suggest a revised site architecture if you find problems."

Prompt 29: Core Web Vitals diagnosis

"My website has these Core Web Vitals scores: LCP [X seconds], INP [X ms], CLS [X]. Which metrics need improvement and what are the most common causes for each? Give me a prioritised list of 5 things to check and fix, starting with the highest-impact change."

Prompt 30: Hreflang tag generator

"Generate hreflang tags for a website with these language/country versions: [list URLs with language-country codes]. Include the x-default tag. Format as HTML link elements I can paste into the head section."

Competitor analysis prompts

Prompt 31: Content gap finder

"I run a [business type] website about [topic]. My main competitors are [list 3 competitors]. Based on what these competitors likely cover on their websites, identify 15 content topics I should create that would help me compete. For each, explain the search intent and suggest a content format."

Prompt 32: Competitor SWOT analysis

"Analyse [competitor website/brand] from an SEO perspective. What are their likely strengths (content topics, authority signals, technical advantages), weaknesses (gaps, thin content areas, technical issues), opportunities (topics they are not covering well), and threats (to my website specifically)? Present as a SWOT matrix."

Prompt 33: Backlink outreach email

"Write 3 different outreach email templates for requesting a backlink from [type of website]. Each template should use a different approach: value exchange, broken link replacement, and expert contribution. Keep each under 150 words. Tone: professional but not stiff, no begging."

Local SEO prompts

Prompt 34: Google Business Profile description

"Write a Google Business Profile description (750 characters max) for a [business type] in [city]. Include: what the business does, who it serves, what makes it different, and the primary service areas. Naturally include the keywords [keyword 1] and [keyword 2]. No promotional language like 'best' or '#1.'"

Prompt 35: Local landing page content

"Write 400 words of unique content for a local landing page targeting [service] in [city/area]. Include: a description of the service, why local customers choose this business, specific details about the area (landmarks, neighbourhoods), and a call to action. This content must be unique and not duplicated across other location pages."

Prompt 36: Review response templates

"Create 5 response templates for positive Google reviews and 5 for negative Google reviews for a [business type]. Each response should: thank the reviewer by name (use [Name] placeholder), reference something specific about their experience (use [specific detail] placeholder), and be under 100 words. Positive responses should encourage a return visit. Negative responses should acknowledge the issue, apologise, and offer to resolve it offline."

Content optimisation prompts

Prompt 37: Content refresh

"Here is an existing blog post that was published in [year]: [paste content or summary]. The target keyword is [keyword]. The post currently ranks at position [X]. Suggest specific improvements to: update outdated information, add missing subtopics that competitors now cover, improve the introduction hook, strengthen internal linking, and add FAQ sections. Do not rewrite the entire post. Give me a specific list of edits."

Prompt 38: Readability improvement

"Rewrite this paragraph to be easier to read. Target reading level: year 8 (age 13 to 14). Break long sentences into shorter ones. Replace jargon with plain language. Keep the same meaning and all the facts. Original: [paste paragraph]."

Prompt 39: Call to action writing

"Write 5 different calls to action for the end of a blog post about [topic]. The goal is to get readers to [desired action: contact, sign up, download, etc.]. Each CTA should use a different persuasion technique: urgency, social proof, value proposition, risk reversal, or scarcity. Keep each under 30 words."

Prompt 40: Image alt text

"Write SEO-friendly alt text for 10 images on a page about [topic]. Each alt text should: describe what the image shows (I will fill in the visual details), naturally include relevant keywords where appropriate, and be under 125 characters. Format: Image [number]: [description placeholder] / Suggested alt text: [your alt text]."

Link building prompts

Prompt 41: Guest post pitch

"Write a guest post pitch email to [type of publication]. I am [your role] and I want to write about [topic]. The pitch should: establish my credibility in 1 sentence, propose 3 specific article ideas with working titles, explain why their audience would care, and keep the total email under 200 words."

Prompt 42: Linkable asset ideas

"Suggest 10 linkable asset ideas for a [business type] website. Each asset should be something other websites in the [industry] would naturally want to link to. Include: the asset type (tool, calculator, data study, template, checklist, infographic), a specific title, and why it would earn links. Prioritise ideas that require moderate effort but have high link potential."

Prompt 43: HARO/source response

"A journalist is looking for expert quotes on [topic]. Write a 150-word response that I can submit as a source. Include: a direct answer to their question in the first sentence, a supporting data point or example, and my credentials. Tone: authoritative but conversational. End with my name and title."

Reporting and analysis prompts

Prompt 44: Monthly SEO report summary

"Here are my key SEO metrics for this month: organic traffic [X], top keywords [list], pages indexed [X], backlinks gained [X], Core Web Vitals [scores]. Write a 200-word executive summary for a client who is not technical. Focus on: what improved, what needs attention, and what we are doing next month. Use plain language, no jargon."

Prompt 45: Search intent classification

"Classify the search intent for each of these 30 keywords: [paste list]. Categories: informational (learning), navigational (finding a specific site), commercial (comparing options), transactional (ready to buy/act). Present as a table with columns: keyword, intent, reasoning (one sentence)."

Prompt 46: Content ROI analysis framework

"Create a framework for measuring the ROI of my blog content. I track: organic traffic per post, time on page, conversions (contact form fills), and backlinks earned. Help me create a scoring system that ranks each blog post by its overall SEO value. Include the formula and an example calculation."

Advanced prompts for experienced SEOs

Prompt 47: Topical authority mapping

"Map out the topical authority structure needed to become the definitive resource on [broad topic]. List every subtopic, sub-subtopic, and supporting article needed. Organise as a hierarchy with the pillar page at the top and supporting content branching out. Indicate which pieces I should create first based on search volume and competition."

Prompt 48: E-E-A-T audit

"Audit this page for Google's E-E-A-T signals (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness): [paste URL or content]. Score each factor out of 10 and explain your reasoning. Then give me 5 specific, actionable improvements to strengthen the weakest factor. Focus on things I can implement on the page itself."

Prompt 49: Cannibalisation detection

"Here are 10 pages on my website that target similar keywords: [paste titles and target keywords]. Identify any keyword cannibalisation issues where multiple pages compete for the same query. For each conflict, recommend whether to: merge the pages, differentiate the targeting, add canonical tags, or redirect one to the other."

Prompt 50: Content decay identification

"Here are 20 blog posts with their publish dates and current monthly traffic: [paste data]. Identify which posts are likely experiencing content decay (traffic declining over time). For each decaying post, suggest 3 specific actions to refresh it and recover traffic. Prioritise by potential traffic recovery."

Prompt 51: AI search optimisation

"Review this page content and suggest how to optimise it for AI-powered search engines like Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity: [paste content]. Focus on: making claims citation-worthy with specific data, structuring answers in formats AI can easily extract, adding entity-rich descriptions, and ensuring the content is factually dense rather than opinion-heavy."

Tips for building your own prompts

The prompts above are templates. The best results come from customising them for your specific situation. Here is my framework for building effective SEO prompts.

Start with the role. "You are a [specific type of SEO expert]" sets the context.

Define the task clearly. One prompt, one task. Do not ask ChatGPT to do keyword research and write a blog post in the same prompt.

Specify the format. Table, numbered list, JSON, markdown. Be explicit about how you want the output structured.

Add constraints. Word count limits, character limits, tone requirements, words to avoid. Constraints improve output quality.

Include examples. If you want a specific style, show it. Paste an example title tag, meta description, or paragraph and say "write 5 more like this."

ChatGPT is the most powerful SEO tool most people are underusing. These prompts are a starting point. Run your site through my free Website SEO Checker to find the technical issues these prompts can help you fix, and check my full roundup of AI marketing tools for platforms that go beyond what ChatGPT alone can do.

Frequently asked questions

Can ChatGPT replace an SEO professional?

No. ChatGPT is a powerful assistant that handles repetitive SEO tasks like drafting meta descriptions, generating keyword ideas, and structuring content outlines. But it cannot access real-time search data, analyse your Google Search Console metrics, or make strategic decisions based on your competitive landscape. Think of it as a fast research assistant that saves you hours on execution, while you still need human judgment for strategy, prioritisation, and quality control. I use ChatGPT daily in my SEO workflow, but every output gets reviewed and edited before it goes live.

Which ChatGPT model works best for SEO tasks?

For most SEO prompts, GPT-4o or GPT-4.5 give the best results because they follow complex instructions more accurately and produce more nuanced content. GPT-3.5 works fine for simple tasks like generating title tag variations or extracting keywords from a list, but it struggles with longer content briefs and tends to produce more generic output. If you are on a budget, use GPT-3.5 for bulk generation tasks and GPT-4o for anything that requires strategic thinking or detailed analysis.

How do I make ChatGPT outputs sound less like AI?

Three techniques work consistently. First, give ChatGPT a specific persona and writing style in your prompt: specify the tone, reading level, and whether to use first person or third person. Second, provide examples of your existing content so it can match your voice. Third, always edit the output manually. Add your own experiences, specific data points, client examples, and opinions. The best workflow is to use ChatGPT for the structure and first draft, then rewrite 30 to 50 percent of it in your own voice. No one should publish raw ChatGPT output as a blog post.

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