| name | serp-analysis |
| description | Analyzes search engine results pages (SERPs) to understand ranking factors, SERP features, user intent patterns, and AI overview triggers. Essential for understanding what it takes to rank. |
SERP Analysis
This skill analyzes Search Engine Results Pages to reveal what's working for ranking content, which SERP features appear, and what triggers AI-generated answers. Understand the battlefield before creating content.
When to Use This Skill
- Before creating content for a target keyword
- Understanding why certain pages rank #1
- Identifying SERP feature opportunities (featured snippets, PAA)
- Analyzing AI Overview/SGE patterns
- Evaluating keyword difficulty more accurately
- Planning content format based on what ranks
- Identifying ranking factors for specific queries
What This Skill Does
- SERP Composition Analysis: Maps what appears on the results page
- Ranking Factor Identification: Reveals why top results rank
- SERP Feature Mapping: Identifies featured snippets, PAA, knowledge panels
- AI Overview Analysis: Examines when and how AI answers appear
- Intent Signal Detection: Confirms user intent from SERP composition
- Content Format Recommendations: Suggests optimal format based on SERP
- Difficulty Assessment: Evaluates realistic ranking potential
How to Use
Basic SERP Analysis
Analyze the SERP for [keyword]
What does it take to rank for [keyword]?
Feature-Specific Analysis
Analyze featured snippet opportunities for [keyword list]
Which of these keywords trigger AI Overviews? [keyword list]
Competitive SERP Analysis
Why does [URL] rank #1 for [keyword]?
Data Sources
See CONNECTORS.md for tool category placeholders.
With ~~SEO tool + ~~search console + ~~AI monitor connected:
Automatically fetch SERP snapshots for target keywords, extract ranking page metrics (domain authority, backlinks, content length), pull SERP feature data, and check AI Overview presence using ~~AI monitor. Historical SERP change data and mobile vs. desktop variations can be retrieved automatically.
With manual data only:
Ask the user to provide:
- Target keyword(s) to analyze
- SERP screenshots or detailed descriptions of search results
- URLs of top 10 ranking pages
- Search location and device type (mobile/desktop)
- Any observations about SERP features (featured snippets, PAA, AI Overviews)
Proceed with the full analysis using provided data. Note in the output which metrics are from automated collection vs. user-provided data.
Instructions
When a user requests SERP analysis:
-
Understand the Query
Clarify if needed:
- Target keyword(s) to analyze
- Search location/language
- Device type (mobile/desktop)
- Specific questions about the SERP
-
Map SERP Composition
Document all elements appearing:
## SERP Analysis: "[keyword]"
**Search Details**
- Keyword: [keyword]
- Location: [location]
- Device: [mobile/desktop]
- Date: [date]
### SERP Layout Overview
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [AI Overview / SGE] (if present) │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ [Ads] - [X] ads above fold │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ [Featured Snippet] (if present) │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ [Organic Result #1] │
│ [Organic Result #2] │
│ [People Also Ask] (if present) │
│ [Organic Result #3] │
│ ... │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ [Related Searches] │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘
### SERP Features Present
| Feature | Present | Position | Opportunity |
|---------|---------|----------|-------------|
| AI Overview | Yes/No | Top | [analysis] |
| Featured Snippet | Yes/No | [pos] | [analysis] |
| People Also Ask | Yes/No | [pos] | [analysis] |
| Knowledge Panel | Yes/No | Right | [analysis] |
| Image Pack | Yes/No | [pos] | [analysis] |
| Video Results | Yes/No | [pos] | [analysis] |
| Local Pack | Yes/No | [pos] | [analysis] |
| Shopping Results | Yes/No | [pos] | [analysis] |
| News Results | Yes/No | [pos] | [analysis] |
| Sitelinks | Yes/No | [pos] | [analysis] |
-
Analyze Top Ranking Pages
For top 10 results:
### Top 10 Organic Results Analysis
#### Position #1: [Title]
**URL**: [url]
**Domain**: [domain]
**Domain Authority**: [DA]
**Content Analysis**:
- Type: [Blog/Product/Guide/etc.]
- Word Count: [X] words
- Publish Date: [date]
Last Updated: [date]
:
Title: [exact title]
Title contains keyword: Yes/No
Meta description: [description]
H1: [heading]
URL structure: [clean/keyword-rich/etc.]
:
Headings (H2s): [list key sections]
Media: [X] images, [X] videos
Tables/Lists: Yes/No
FAQ section: Yes/No
:
Page backlinks: [X]
Referring domains: [X]
Social shares: [X]
:
[Factor 1]
[Factor 2]
[Factor 3]
[Repeat for positions #2-10]
Validation Checkpoints
Input Validation
Output Validation
Example
User: "Analyze the SERP for 'how to start a podcast'"
Output:
# SERP Analysis: "how to start a podcast"
## SERP Overview
**Intent**: Informational (100%)
**Difficulty**: 72/100 (High)
**AI Overview**: Yes - comprehensive guide format
### SERP Features Present
| Feature | Present | Analysis |
|---------|---------|----------|
| AI Overview | ✅ | Lists steps, cites 3 sources |
| Featured Snippet | ✅ | Step-by-step list from Buzzsprout |
| People Also Ask | ✅ | 4 questions visible, expandable |
| Video Results | ✅ | 3 YouTube videos mid-page |
| Image Pack | ❌ | |
### Top 5 Results Analysis
| Pos | Domain | DA | Word Count | Format | Backlinks |
|-----|--------|-----|------------|--------|-----------|
| 1 | Buzzsprout | 71 | 8,500 | Ultimate Guide | 2,400 |
| 2 | Spotify | 93 | 3,200 | How-to Guide | 890 |
| 3 | Podcastinsights | 58 | 12,000 | Mega Guide | 1,800 |
| 4 | Transistor | 62 | 5,500 | Tutorial | 720 |
| 5 | HubSpot | 91 | 6,200 | Complete Guide | 1,100 |
### Why #1 Ranks First
Buzzsprout's guide succeeds because:
1. **Comprehensive** - Covers every step in detail
2. **Updated** - "2024" in title, recent updates
3. **Structured** - Clear numbered steps (owns featured snippet)
4. **Authoritative** - Podcast hosting company (topical authority)
5. **Supporting content** - Links to detailed sub-guides
### Featured Snippet Opportunity
**Current format**: Ordered list (steps)
**Current holder**: Buzzsprout
**To win snippet**:
- Create cleaner, more scannable list format
- Keep steps to 8-10 items max
- Start each step with action verb
- Include "how to start a podcast" in H2
### AI Overview Analysis
**Sources cited**:
1. Buzzsprout - "Choose your podcast topic"
2. Spotify for Podcasters - "Record and edit"
3. Wikipedia - Definition of podcasting
: AI pulls step-by-step instructions from guides with clear structure
To rank on page 1:
: 5,000+ words minimum
: Step-by-step ultimate guide
: 500+ from relevant domains
: Must show current year
: Equipment comparisons, cost breakdowns, or specific niche focus
Given high difficulty, consider:
Target long-tail: "how to start a podcast for free" (Difficulty: 45)
Target niche: "how to start a podcast about [topic]" (Difficulty: 30)
Create supporting video content for video carousel
Focus on PAA optimization for quick wins
Advanced Analysis
Multi-Keyword SERP Comparison
Compare SERPs for [keyword 1], [keyword 2], [keyword 3]
Historical SERP Changes
How has the SERP for [keyword] changed over time?
Local SERP Variations
Compare SERP for [keyword] in [location 1] vs [location 2]
Mobile vs Desktop SERP
Analyze mobile vs desktop SERP differences for [keyword]
Tips for Success
- Always check SERP before writing - Don't assume, verify
- Match content format to SERP - If lists rank, write lists
- Identify SERP feature opportunities - Lower competition than #1
- Note SERP volatility - Stable SERPs are harder to break into
- Study the outliers - Why does a weaker site rank? Opportunity!
- Consider AI Overview optimization - Growing importance
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