Topic Shaping

What this skill does

Phase 6 of the pipeline. Not every keyword becomes a blog post. This step assigns the right content format to every surviving topic - the decision that sets the page's purpose, structure, CTA, and ranking mechanics. Get it wrong and the content fails no matter how well it's written.

Formats it assigns include:

• Competitor alternatives page
• Head-to-head comparison
• Product / feature landing page
• Pricing page
• Use-case or industry page
• Guide or editorial content

It also flags architecture implications - URL patterns, pillar/cluster structures, and where new pages should sit in the site.

Inputs

• Filtered keyword list - from business-fit-filter, or pasted in directly

When it activates

• "what format should each of these topics be"
• "shape these topics into page types"
• /topic-shaping (after business-fit-filter, or standalone)

Output

Every topic mapped to a content format, with structure notes and any site-architecture implications called out.

Tips

• Shaped topics go to Prioritization next for scoring and sequencing
• Format follows the SERP - match what already wins for the keyword (from SERP qualification)
• Note pillar/cluster relationships now so the build order can respect them