How to Use Topic Clusters and Pillar Pages for SEO

A solid content strategy is required to rank on search engines, and this can be achieved using topic clusters and pillar pages.

Topic clusters and pillar pages are interlinked web pages structured around particular topics and subtopics. Organizing your content this way helps you take a systemic approach to SEO and ensure you stay on track with your strategy.

Let’s proceed to learn more about topic clusters and pillar pages.

Why Topic Clusters? Why Pillar Pages?

The idea behind topic clusters and pillar pages is to create a better user experience and a more logical site architecture. By grouping your content into clusters, you make it easier for your visitors to find the information they need and easily navigate through your website.

Conversely, when you link your cluster pages to your pillar page, you create a strong internal link structure that signals to search engines what your content is about and how it is related.

For example, if you have a website about digital marketing and you create a topic cluster around the core topic of “social media marketing”, your pillar page might cover the basics of social media marketing, such as what it is, why it is important, how to create a strategy, and what platforms to use.

Then, the cluster pages might cover specific subtopics, such as how to use Facebook ads, grow your Instagram followers, optimize your LinkedIn profile, and so on. Each cluster page would link back to the pillar page and vice versa.

Why Topic Clusters Are Important for SEO

Topic clusters are important for SEO because they help search engines understand the relationship between the content on your website. Creating a clear structure for your content enables search engines to categorize and index your pages. This, in turn, can lead to higher rankings in SERPs.

Not search engines alone, but also the visitors who read your website. Topic clusters help them navigate your website easily and find the information they seek. Thus, providing comprehensive and well-organized content can improve the user experience and increase engagement.

How to Create Topic Clusters and Pillar Pages

Creating topic clusters and pillar pages requires some planning and research. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Identify your core topics and subtopics 

When you do this, ensure that your audience’s needs and interests guide you. Think about what problems you can solve for your audience, what questions they have, what goals they have, and what topics they are interested in.

To create a topic cluster, you first need to identify the broad topics that are relevant to your business or industry. For example, if you run a fitness blog, you might choose topics such as “cardio,” “strength training,” and “nutrition.”

2. Conduct Keyword Research

At some point, you will have to research keywords related to the topics and subtopics you have identified. The Eye10 Keyword Planner is the appropriate tool for this, as it gives you suggestions and ideas for ranking your website through relevant keywords.

You can determine the best keywords by analyzing the search volume, competition, intent, and other factors.

3. Create a Pillar Page

You have your topics and subtopics, and you have your keywords. The natural next step is creating and optimizing each topic’s pillar page. Of course, each pillar page should be optimized for a specific keyword related to that topic. So, try to stay on the script at all times to ensure proper coordination and organization.

Also, ensure you optimize the pillar page for the core topic keyword and provide an overview of the subtopics. It should cover all the essential aspects and provide a clear structure for the readers. If it helps, you could include a table of contents or a list of links to your cluster pages at the beginning or end of the pillar page.

4. Create Cluster Pages

Of course, no page is a pillar page without clusters. So you have to create other pages that cover subtopics related to the pillar page’s main topic. For example, your cardio cluster content might include pages on “running,” “cycling,” and “HIIT workouts.”

Create high-quality content for each subtopic and link it to the core topic page while ensuring your content is informative, engaging, and valuable for your audience.

5. Establish the Pillar-Cluster Relationship

When creating your cluster content, link to the pillar and other cluster content pages. This will help to establish the relationship between the pages and make it easier for search engines to understand the structure of your content.

That doesn’t mean your pillar page should only link to the cluster pages. Not at all. Feel free to link to other relevant pages on your website and external sources.

Internal links will create a more cohesive and comprehensive content network to boost your site’s authority and relevance. Combined with a solid external link profile, it will enhance your credibility and trustworthiness.

Your backlink profile’s strength determines if you have a solid pillar-cluster relationship. With the help of the Eye10 Backlink Checker, determining your backlink profile is easy.

Conclusion

Creating topic clusters and pillar pages is a powerful way to create and organize your content for SEO. They can help you rank higher on search engines, attract organic traffic, provide a better user experience, and establish authority and credibility in your niche.

Eye10 provides various tools that assist you with various aspects of your SEO, including creating clusters and pillars. Use Eye10 tools for keyword research, backlinks, competitor analysis, and more for only a $3 trial. Sign up now.