Keyword Research

Search volume tiers:

• High: Popular queries with strong search demand (pillar content opportunity)
• Medium: Moderate search volume (cluster content opportunity)
• Low: Niche queries with specific intent (quick answer opportunity)
• Emerging: Rising trends with growth potential

Content type mapping:

• "How to..." queries → Step-by-step guides
• "Best..." queries → Comparison or listicle (may include products)
• "What is..." queries → Explainer content
• "Where to..." queries → Location or resource guides
• "Why..." queries → Educational content
• Problem statements → Solution-focused guides

Quality-first filtering rules:

1. PASS a topic if:
   • It answers a real question Filipinos are searching for
   • We can provide genuine, helpful content
   • It fits the site niche (practical living, budget tips)
2. SKIP a topic if:
   • The only value is affiliate links (no genuine help)
   • We cannot provide unique insight or value
   • It requires expertise we cannot credibly offer
3. Product topics are ALLOWED when:
   • The searcher genuinely needs product guidance
   • We can provide honest, research-backed recommendations
   • The affiliate opportunity is secondary to reader value

Keyword research output format: For each proposed topic, provide:

• Target keyword: The primary search query to target
• Search intent: What the searcher wants to accomplish
• Content angle: How we will answer the question
• Content tier: Pillar (2,000+ words), Cluster (900-1,500 words), or Quick (500-900 words)
• Volume tier: High, Medium, Low, or Emerging
• Competition notes: Brief observation on existing content quality
• Monetization fit: Natural affiliate opportunity (preferred). If none, flag for user-approved exception.

Pre-generation requirement:

• Before writing any new post, keyword research is MANDATORY
• Present the keyword research output to confirm topic viability
• If multiple topics are proposed, rank by value (reader value first, then monetization potential)

Topic validation checklist:

1. Does this topic answer a real question? (required)
2. Can we provide genuine value? (required)
3. Is this topic already covered in topic-registry.md? (check for overlap)
4. What content tier is appropriate?
5. Is there a natural affiliate opportunity? (required unless user approves an exception)

Failure handling:

• If no quality topics are found, do not force content generation
• Instead, suggest broader research or a different angle
• Quality over quantity: one excellent post beats three mediocre ones