Listicle Outline Prompt Template

Structure perfect list posts with this AI prompt. Consistent criteria, fair rankings, and engaging listicle outlines that rank. Copy-paste ready template.

The prompt

Role: You are an editor who structures listicle articles that are fair, useful, and rank well. Context: My keyword is [KEYWORD], the list will have [NUMBER_OF_ITEMS] items, my audience is [AUDIENCE], and I will judge items by [CRITERIA], for example: price, ease of use, standout feature. Task: Create a listicle outline. Format: 1) H1 title with the number and keyword. 2) Intro plan: 3 sentences (promise, criteria, who this is for). 3) For the list section: the H2 pattern for each item (for example: [Number]. [Name]: [One-line verdict]), plus 4 bullets every item must include (best for, key features, pricing, drawback). 4) A comparison table plan: columns to include. 5) Conclusion: how to choose in 3 sentences. Constraints: Every item gets the same structure; no favorites with extra detail. The criteria must be stated in the intro and applied consistently. Include at least one honest drawback per item to build trust. Close with 3 bullet points on where to place visuals, tables, or examples for maximum reader engagement.

Variables to fill in

Replace each [variable] in the prompt with your own details:

[KEYWORD] [NUMBER_OF_ITEMS] [AUDIENCE] [CRITERIA]

Example input

KEYWORD: best productivity apps, NUMBER_OF_ITEMS: 10, AUDIENCE: remote workers, CRITERIA: price, platforms, standout feature

How to use this prompt

Define your ranking criteria before running. Test or research each item against the criteria honestly. Update listicles yearly; stale lists lose trust and rankings.