Content brief

This skill turns one target keyword into a content brief that a writer can use to ship a publish-ready article. It is opinionated about what belongs in a brief and what does not. A good brief sets the scope, frames the angle, and gets out of the way.

A brief should not write the article for you. Over-specified briefs read like compliance checklists and produce content that ranks like compliance checklists. The job is to give the writer enough context to make real decisions, not enough specification to remove the decisions.

Before you start

Ask for these inputs once.

• Target keyword. One primary keyword per brief. If the user gives a list, choose with the user or prioritize by relevance, business value, intent fit, attainability, and SERP evidence. Do not default to the highest-volume term.
• Domain. Optional but improves results by exposing relevant existing pages, rankings, and internal-link destinations. Do not claim that the tested public MCP returns personalized keyword difficulty for a supplied domain.
• Whether the Semrush MCP is connected. This unlocks Semrush keyword and organic reports for live SERP data. If it is not connected, you can still write the brief, but the SERP analysis should be labeled manual or directional. The Semrush MCP connects through Semrush's own auth flow, so there is no API key to paste.
• Target audience. A brief without an audience definition produces content that talks to no one. Ask once if the user has a written ICP, content guidelines, or audience notes. If not, ask for two sentences on who the reader is.
• Goal. Rank for traffic, support an existing campaign, build a topical hub, refresh an underperforming page. The goal changes the brief.

How to use the Semrush MCP

Use Semrush MCP only.