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The /research command performs SEO keyword research and analyzes top-ranking competitor content to create a detailed research brief for article writing.

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Usage

/research [topic]
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topic
string
required
The topic or keyword to research. Can be a short phrase or full question.

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Examples

/research content marketing strategies for B2B SaaS

/research podcast editing software

/research how to grow podcast audience

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What It Does

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1. Keyword Research

  • Primary Keyword: Identifies main target keyword for the topic
  • Search Volume & Difficulty: Estimates monthly searches and competition level
  • Keyword Variations: Finds semantic variations and long-tail opportunities
  • Related Questions: Discovers what people are asking (People Also Ask, forums, Reddit)
  • Search Intent: Determines if intent is informational, navigational, commercial, or transactional
  • Topic Cluster: Identifies how topic fits into your content clusters

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2. Competitive Analysis

  • Top 10 SERP Review: Analyzes the top 10 ranking articles
  • Content Length: Notes word count of top performers (benchmark target)
  • Common Themes: Identifies topics/sections all top articles cover
  • Content Gaps: Discovers what’s missing from competitor coverage
  • Unique Angles: Finds underexplored perspectives or insights
  • Featured Snippets: Identifies snippet opportunities
  • Domain Authority: Notes which competitors rank

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3. Context Integration

The command references your context files:
  • context/brand-voice.md - For messaging fit
  • context/internal-links-map.md - For related articles
  • context/target-keywords.md - For priority keywords
  • context/seo-guidelines.md - For SEO requirements
  • context/features.md - For product integration opportunities

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4. Content Planning

  • Recommended Structure: H2 and H3 outline based on research
  • Content Depth: Target word count (typically 2000-3000+)
  • Supporting Evidence: Statistics, studies, or data to include
  • Expert Sources: Industry experts or quotes to reference
  • Visual Opportunities: Images, screenshots, or graphics needed
  • Internal Links: 3-5 key pages to link to
  • External Authority: 2-3 authoritative external sources

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Output

Creates a comprehensive research brief saved to: 
research/brief-[topic-slug]-[YYYY-MM-DD].md

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Research Brief Structure

## SEO Foundation

**Primary Keyword**: [keyword] (volume, difficulty)
**Secondary Keywords**: 3-5 related keywords
**Target Word Count**: Minimum words needed to compete
**Featured Snippet Opportunity**: Yes/No, format type

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Internal Linking Strategy

The brief includes specific internal linking recommendations: 
## Internal Linking Strategy

**Pillar Page**: Main pillar content to link to
**Related Articles**: 2-4 relevant blog posts
**Product Pages**: Product features to naturally mention
**Resource Pages**: Tools or guides to reference

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Meta Elements Preview

Draft meta elements for planning: 
## Meta Elements Preview

**Meta Title**: Draft optimized title (50-60 characters)
**Meta Description**: Draft compelling description (150-160 characters)
**URL Slug**: Recommended URL structure

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Real Example

# Research Brief: Podcast Analytics
Date: 2025-03-04

## SEO Foundation

**Primary Keyword**: podcast analytics (2,400/mo, Medium difficulty)
**Secondary Keywords**:
- podcast analytics tools (720/mo)
- best podcast analytics (480/mo)
- podcast performance metrics (320/mo)
- how to track podcast downloads (260/mo)

**Target Word Count**: 2,500-3,000 words
**Featured Snippet Opportunity**: Yes - List of metrics to track

## Competitive Landscape

**Top 3 Competitor Articles**:
1. https://buzzsprout.com/podcast-analytics (2,800 words)
   - Comprehensive metrics breakdown
   - Platform comparison
   - Missing: Advanced analysis strategies

2. https://podcast.co/create/podcast-analytics (2,200 words)
   - Beginner-friendly approach
   - Tool recommendations
   - Missing: Technical depth on IAB standards

3. https://blog.rephonic.com/podcast-analytics-guide (3,100 words)
   - Very technical and comprehensive
   - Covers attribution and tracking
   - Missing: Practical examples for creators

**Content Gaps**:
- Actionable interpretation of analytics data
- Common mistakes podcast creators make
- Real examples of using data to grow a show

**Differentiation Strategy**:
Focus on practical analytics interpretation for creators, not just metric definitions. Include real case studies from Castos customers.

## Recommended Outline

H1: Podcast Analytics: The Complete Guide to Tracking & Growing Your Show

Introduction
- Hook: Statistic about podcasters who don't use analytics
- Problem: Analytics dashboards are overwhelming
- Promise: Learn which metrics matter and how to use them

H2: Why Podcast Analytics Matter (Beyond Vanity Metrics)
H3: The Difference Between Downloads and Real Impact
H3: How Analytics Drive Monetization

H2: Essential Podcast Metrics to Track
H3: Downloads and Listeners (What's the Difference?)
H3: Unique Listeners vs Total Downloads
H3: Retention Rate and Drop-off Points
H3: Geographic and Demographic Data
H3: Listening Apps and Platforms

H2: Advanced Analytics: IAB Standards Explained
H3: Why IAB Certification Matters
H3: How IAB Standards Affect Your Numbers

H2: Best Podcast Analytics Tools (Comparison)
H3: Hosting Platform Analytics (Castos, Buzzsprout, etc.)
H3: Third-Party Tools (Chartable, Podtrac)
H3: What to Look for in Analytics Tools

H2: How to Interpret Your Podcast Analytics
H3: Setting Realistic Benchmarks
H3: Identifying Growth Trends
H3: Spotting Problem Episodes

H2: Using Analytics to Grow Your Podcast
H3: Content Strategy Based on Data
H3: Optimizing Episode Length
H3: Best Time to Publish (Using Your Data)

H2: Common Podcast Analytics Mistakes
H3: Obsessing Over Downloads Only
H3: Comparing to Irrelevant Benchmarks
H3: Ignoring Retention Metrics

Conclusion
- Recap: Focus on actionable metrics
- CTA: Start tracking with Castos analytics

## Supporting Elements

**Statistics to Include**:
- Average podcast downloads by episode
- Industry retention rate benchmarks
- Percentage of podcasters using analytics
- Growth rate correlation with analytics usage
- IAB certified vs non-certified number differences

**Examples/Case Studies**:
- Castos customer who 2x'd downloads using retention data
- Example of how geographic data revealed new audience
- Real dashboard screenshot walkthrough

**Visual Suggestions**:
- Annotated Castos analytics dashboard
- Chart showing retention drop-off curve
- Comparison table of analytics platforms
- Infographic of essential metrics

## Internal Linking Strategy

**Pillar Page**: https://castos.com/podcast-hosting/
**Related Articles**:
- How to Start a Podcast (link in intro)
- Podcast Marketing Guide (link in growth section)
- Best Podcast Hosting Platforms (link in tools section)

**Product Pages**:
- Castos Analytics feature page
- IAB certification info page

## Meta Elements Preview

**Meta Title**: Podcast Analytics Guide: Track & Grow Your Show | Castos
**Meta Description**: Learn which podcast analytics matter, how to interpret your data, and use metrics to grow your audience. Complete guide with tools and examples.
**URL Slug**: /podcast-analytics-guide

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Next Steps

After research completion:
  1. Review the brief - Read through all sections carefully
  2. Run /write - Use the topic to create the article
  3. Reference the brief - The /write command will automatically reference this research
/write podcast analytics
The research brief serves as the foundation for writing optimized, comprehensive content.

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Tips

Be Specific

Use specific topics rather than broad terms. “Podcast analytics for beginners” is better than “analytics”.

Check Context

Ensure context/target-keywords.md is updated with your keyword research before running the command.

Review Competitors

Manually check the top 3 competitor URLs to validate the analysis.

Save the Brief

Keep research briefs for future reference when updating content.

/write

Create the article using this research brief

Research Scripts

Advanced Python research scripts for deeper analysis

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