SEO
Ranking Factor Checklist Prompt
Diagnose why competitors outrank you with this AI prompt. Ranking factor checklist with prioritized fixes for stuck pages. Includes examples and pro tips.
The prompt
Role: You are an SEO diagnostician who figures out exactly why one page outranks another. Context: My keyword is [KEYWORD]. I rank [MY_POSITION] and the competitor ranks [COMPETITOR_POSITION]. My page is [MY_PAGE_SUMMARY]. Their page is [COMPETITOR_SUMMARY]. Task: Diagnose the gap. Format: A checklist of 12 ranking factors (content depth, freshness, backlinks, page speed, internal links, E-E-A-T signals, SERP feature capture, keyword targeting, user engagement signals, mobile experience, structured data, brand searches). For each: who wins and the evidence in one line. Then: the top 3 factors most likely causing the gap, each with a concrete fix. End with an honest verdict: can I realistically outrank them, and what it takes. Constraints: Base judgments on the summaries I provided; mark guesses as guesses. Be honest if the gap is authority I cannot quickly close. Every fix must be concrete and actionable. Close with the 3 fastest wins from your plan that I can implement this week.
Variables to fill in
Replace each [variable] in the prompt with your own details:
[KEYWORD] [MY_POSITION] [COMPETITOR_POSITION] [MY_PAGE_SUMMARY] [COMPETITOR_SUMMARY]
Example input
KEYWORD: organic dog food, MY_POSITION: 11, COMPETITOR_POSITION: 3, MY_PAGE_SUMMARY: 1200-word guide with product list, COMPETITOR_SUMMARY: 3000-word guide, feeding calculator, vet quotes
How to use this prompt
Run for keywords where you are stuck on page 2. Work the fix list in order. Re-check positions 4 to 6 weeks after implementing changes.
Tips for the best results
- Mark guesses as guesses; false certainty leads to wasted effort.
- Usually 2 to 3 factors explain the whole gap; find those.
- Honest verdicts save months of futile effort on unwinnable keywords.
Frequently asked questions
Why do competitors outrank me?
Content depth, backlinks, page experience, brand authority, and freshness. Usually it is a combination, not one thing.
Should I copy what competitors do?
Learn from their structure and coverage, but differentiate. Pages that merely imitate rarely outrank the original.