content-optimizer

plugin: seo
updated: 2026-01-20

# Content Optimizer

## When to Use

- Optimizing existing content for better rankings
- Validating new content against SEO requirements
- Checking keyword density and placement
- Improving readability scores
- Creating meta tags

## Keyword Density

**Target:** 1-2% for primary keyword

**Calculation:**
```
Density = (Keyword Count / Total Words) x 100
```

**Placement Priorities:**
1. Title/H1 (required)
2. First 100 words (required)
3. At least one H2 (recommended)
4. Conclusion (recommended)
5. Distributed in body (natural)

**Warning Signs:**
- >3% = Keyword stuffing risk
- <0.5% = Under-optimized
- Exact match every paragraph = Unnatural

## Meta Tag Optimization

### Title Tag
- Length: 50-60 characters
- Keyword: Near the beginning
- Format: `{Keyword} - {Benefit} | {Brand}`
- Unique per page

### Meta Description
- Length: 150-160 characters
- Keyword: Include naturally
- CTA: End with action verb
- Unique per page

### URL Slug
- Short: 3-5 words
- Keyword: Include primary
- Readable: Use hyphens
- Lowercase only

## Heading Structure

**Valid Hierarchy:**
```
H1: Page Title (exactly 1)
+-- H2: Main Section
|   +-- H3: Subsection
|   +-- H3: Subsection
+-- H2: Main Section
|   +-- H3: Subsection
+-- H2: Conclusion
```

**Common Errors:**
- Multiple H1 tags
- Skipping levels (H1 -> H3)
- Using headings for styling only
- No keyword in H1

## Readability Optimization

**Flesch Reading Ease Target: 60-70**

| Score | Level | Audience |
|-------|-------|----------|
| 90-100 | Very Easy | 5th grade |
| 80-89 | Easy | 6th grade |
| 70-79 | Fairly Easy | 7th grade |
| 60-69 | Standard | 8th-9th grade |
| 50-59 | Fairly Difficult | 10th-12th grade |
| 30-49 | Difficult | College |
| 0-29 | Very Difficult | College graduate |

**Improvement Techniques:**
- Shorten sentences (<20 words avg)
- Shorten paragraphs (2-3 sentences)
- Replace jargon with plain language
- Use active voice
- Add subheadings every 200-300 words
- Use bullet points for lists

## Optimization Checklist

Use this checklist when optimizing content:

- [ ] Primary keyword in title/H1
- [ ] Primary keyword in first 100 words
- [ ] Keyword density 1-2%
- [ ] Meta title 50-60 characters
- [ ] Meta description 150-160 characters with CTA
- [ ] Heading hierarchy valid (H1 -> H2 -> H3)
- [ ] At least 3 internal links
- [ ] At least 1 external authoritative link
- [ ] Flesch score 60-70
- [ ] No paragraphs > 3 sentences
- [ ] Subheadings every 200-300 words