Topic clusters for boosting SEO – The ultimate guide 2024

By Abdullah Nouman Hours Updated -

Topic clusters are groups of pages that cover a broad topic and its subtopics. Each topic cluster consists of a pillar page and several cluster pages. The pillar page provides an overview of the main topic, while the cluster pages dive deeper into specific aspects of the topic. All the pages are linked together to form a coherent and comprehensive content hub.

It helps search engines understand the structure and relevance of your website content. It also helps users navigate your site and find related information.

How Topic Clusters Boost SEO?

Contextual Internal linking is a key factor for SEO success. One of the best ways to implement contextual internal linking is by using topic clusters.

✴️ Organize your content in a logical and user-friendly way.

If your website is about digital marketing, you can create topic clusters for SEO, social media, email marketing, etc.

✴️ Boost your authority and relevance on your core topics.

If your pillar page is about SEO, you can link it to cluster pages that cover keyword research, link building, technical SEO, etc.

✴️ Improve your ranking potential for long-tail keywords.

If your cluster page is about keyword research, you can target keywords like how to do keyword research, best keyword research tools, keyword research tips, etc.

✴️ Reduce content duplication and cannibalization.

If you have multiple pages that target the same or similar keywords, you can consolidate them into one cluster page and link it to the pillar page.

✴️ Enhance your site’s crawlability and indexability.

If you have a clear and consistent internal linking structure, you can help search engines discover and index your pages faster and easier.

How to create a topic cluster for SEO: Step-by-Step guide

To create topic clusters and elevate your SEO strategy, you need to follow these steps:

✳️ Identify your core topics

Begin by identifying the overarching themes that define your website's content. These core topics will serve as the foundation upon which your topic clusters will be built.

For a portable devices niche site, your core topics could be the different types of devices that you review, compare, or recommend. For example, you could have core topics like laptops, tablets, smartphones, smartwatches, etc.

You can use keyword research tools, analytics data, and competitor analysis to find your core topics. For example, you can use Google Keyword Planner to see what keywords are popular and profitable for your niche, Google Analytics to see what pages are driving the most traffic and conversions on your site, and Moz to see what topics and keywords your competitors are ranking for.

✳️ Create pillar pages

For each core topic, you need to create a pillar page that provides a comprehensive overview of the topic.

For example, for the core topic of laptops, you could create a pillar page that covers the basics of laptops, such as what they are, how they work, what features to look for, what brands and models are available, etc.

Topic clusters for SEO - ex: Rank math Pillar content feature
Rank MathThis site use affiliate links to promote recommended product and services Pillar Content Feature

You can use tools like Yoast SEO or Rank Math to select your pillar pages or posts.

For example, you can use Yoast SEO to write a catchy title, a meta description, and a focus keyword for your pillar page, such as “Laptops 101: Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Laptop in 2023”.

✳️ Create cluster pages

For each pillar page, you need to create several cluster pages that cover specific subtopics or aspects of the core topic.

For example, for the pillar page of laptops, you could create cluster pages that cover topics like best laptops for gaming, best laptops for students, best laptops for travel, laptop accessories, laptop maintenance, etc.

You can use tools like AnswerThePublic or BuzzSumo to find ideas for your cluster pages. For example, you can use AnswerThePublic to see what questions people are asking about laptops, and BuzzSumo to see what content is getting the most shares and engagement on social media.

✳️ Interlink your pages or posts together

The final step is to link your pillar pages and cluster pages together using anchor text that describes the content of the linked page. You also need to link your pages to other relevant pages on your site using internal links.

For example, you can link your pillar page of laptops to your cluster pages of best laptops for gaming, best laptops for students, etc. using anchor text like “Check out our guide on the best laptops for gaming here” or “Learn more about the best laptops for students here”.

You can also link your cluster pages to other cluster pages or pillar pages that are related, such as linking your cluster page of best laptops for travel to your pillar page of tablets or your cluster page of laptop accessories.

✳️ Monitor and Update

Regularly review and refine your topic clusters, ensuring they remain up-to-date and reflect the evolving search landscape.

You can use tools like Screaming Frog or Ahrefs to audit and improve your internal links. For example, you can use Screaming Frog to see how many internal links each page has, and Ahrefs to see how much traffic and authority each page gets.

Additionally, you can follow these 5 basic SEO steps for beginners to rank your website on Google's first page.

Popular Topic Cluster Tools

There are several free and premium topic cluster tools available to help you create and manage your clusters.

✴️ Some popular free options include:

  • HubSpot Topic Cluster Template
  • SEMrush Topic Research Tool
  • Ahrefs Content Gap Analysis Tool

✴️ Some popular premium options include:

  • Topic Cluster AI
  • MarketMuse
  • Frase

Topic Cluster Examples

✳️ Core Topic: Laptops

Pillar Page: "Laptops 101: Everything You Need to Know About Buying a laptop in 2023"

Cluster Pages:

  • "Best Laptops for Gaming"
  • "Best Laptops for Students"
  • "Best Laptops for Travel"
  • "Laptop Accessories"
  • "Laptop Maintenance"

✳️ Core Topic: Digital Marketing

Pillar Page: "Digital Marketing Strategies for 2023"

Cluster Pages:

  • "SEO Best Practices"
  • "Social Media Marketing Tips"
  • "Email Marketing Trends"
  • "Content Marketing Strategies"
  • "Digital Advertising Insights"

✳️ Core Topic: Smartphones

Pillar Page: "The Ultimate Guide to Smartphones: Features, Brands, and Comparisons"

Cluster Pages:

  • "Top Android Smartphones"
  • "Latest iPhone Models"
  • "Camera Features and Trends"
  • "Battery Life and Performance"
  • "Smartphone Accessories Guide"

✳️ Core Topic: Tablets

Pillar Page: "Tablets Unveiled: Choosing the Right Device for Your Needs"

Cluster Pages:

  • "Best Tablets for Productivity"
  • "Tablets for Entertainment"
  • "Tablet Operating Systems Comparison"
  • "Must-Have Tablet Accessories"

✳️ Core Topic: Smartwatches

Pillar Page: "The Future on Your Wrist: Smartwatches Explained"

Cluster Pages:

  • "Fitness Features in Smartwatches"
  • "Top Smartwatches for Health Tracking"
  • "Comparing Smartwatch Brands"
  • "Tips for Extending Smartwatch Battery Life"

How can I find core topics for my site?

You can use tools like AnswerThePublic or BuzzSumo to find ideas for your cluster pages. For example, you can use AnswerThePublic to see what questions people are asking about laptops, and BuzzSumo to see what content is getting the most shares and engagement on social media.

How often should I update my topic clusters?

It is recommended to review and update your topic clusters regularly to ensure they remain relevant and up-to-date with the latest trends and search engine algorithms. A good rule of thumb is to review your clusters every 6-12 months.

Wrap Up

By using topic clusters, you can create a powerful internal linking strategy that boosts your SEO performance and user experience. Try it out and see the results for yourself!

If you are struggling with effort and time to implement, you can hire me & WpConsults' team to build and implement your topic cluster. Contact Us to get a free quote.

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Abdullah Nouman is the visionary behind WpConsults, He is a WordPress Developer & SEO Expert. His passion for digital transformation shines through his writing, where he regularly shares his expertise in insightful blogs, articles, and tutorials.

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