Generate comprehensive SEO article outlines based on competitor analysis, PAA questions, and search intent data. Get a ready-to-write structure with heading hierarchy and word count targets.
A content outline generator creates a structured framework for your article before you write a single word. Our free tool analyzes Google's top-ranking results for your target keyword, extracts People Also Ask questions, and uses AI to generate a comprehensive outline with heading hierarchy, section descriptions, and word count targets per section.
While individual keyword volumes for outline tools are modest — "article outline generator" gets around 40 monthly searches and "blog outline generator" around 30 — the broader content planning and creation tool market is massive. The related search "Free AI outline generator" shows strong demand for AI-powered outline tools, and writers at every level are looking for better ways to plan content before they write.
Starting with a solid outline is one of the most impactful things you can do for content quality and SEO performance. Top-ranking pages average 1,447 words (Backlinko) and follow clear heading hierarchies that match search intent. Without an outline, writers often miss key subtopics, create poor heading structure, or produce content that doesn't comprehensively cover what Google expects.
Our SERP-powered approach means your outlines aren't based on generic templates — they're informed by what's actually ranking. The AI identifies gaps in competitor content, integrates relevant PAA questions, and suggests a structure that covers the topic comprehensively while maintaining proper heading hierarchy (H1 → H2 → H3).
Our AI analyzes the top Google results for your keyword, learning from the heading structure and topic coverage of pages that already rank.
Automatically incorporate relevant People Also Ask questions as sections or subsections, covering the queries Google knows users care about.
Each section includes a recommended word count, helping writers allocate depth appropriately and hit optimal total article length.
See search volume and competition data for your target keyword, so you can prioritize outlines by traffic potential.
Export your outline in clean Markdown format, ready to paste into any editor or content management system.
Choose from short (800-1,200 words), medium (1,500-2,500 words), or long (3,000+ words) outlines based on your content goals and competition level.
Get a SERP-powered outline in three simple steps
Type your target keyword and select your desired article length. Optionally specify a country for localized SERP analysis.
Our AI examines top-ranking pages, extracts heading structures, identifies content gaps, and collects relevant PAA questions.
Receive a comprehensive outline with heading hierarchy, section descriptions, word count targets, and integrated questions — ready to write.
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A great article starts with a great outline. Whether you need an article outline generator for long-form content or a blog outline generator for weekly posts, outlining is the bridge between keyword research and content creation — it ensures your content covers the right topics, in the right structure, at the right depth to compete in search results.
An SEO outline forces you to plan before you write. It ensures comprehensive topic coverage so no key subtopics are missed, proper heading hierarchy (H1 → H2 → H3 with no skipped levels), logical flow that matches user intent, appropriate depth per section, and integration of relevant questions and keywords.
Studies show that content planned with outlines is 40-60% faster to write and produces more consistent quality. When you know exactly what each section needs to cover and how many words to target, you eliminate the blank-page problem and stay focused on delivering value. This is why both article outline generators and blog outline generators have become essential tools in the modern content workflow.
Use a single H1 per page (your article title). H2s divide content into major sections. H3s break H2 sections into subsections. Never skip levels — going from H1 directly to H3 is incorrect and confusing for both users and search engines.
In 2026, the majority of searches have informational intent and users scan rather than read — clear headings help both users and Google understand your content structure. Include target keywords naturally in H2 headings, but prioritize clarity over keyword stuffing. Google rewrites title tags approximately 76% of the time, so focus on making headings useful rather than purely optimized.
Analyze top-ranking pages to understand what topics they cover, their heading structure, section depth and order, and unique angles or data they include. The average first-page Google result contains 1,447 words (Backlinko), and position 1 captures 39.8% of clicks (First Page Sage, 2026) — understanding what these pages do right is essential. This is what separates a data-driven AI outline generator from tools that rely on templates alone.
Don't just copy competitor structure — identify gaps you can fill with original insights, deeper coverage, or unique data. Google rewards content that adds value beyond what already exists, not content that merely duplicates it. Quality content remains the number one ranking factor in 2026, and engagement signals contribute 20-23% of ranking influence.
People Also Ask questions reveal what Google knows users care about. The strategy is straightforward: include the 2-3 most relevant PAA questions as H2 or H3 sections, answer them directly and comprehensively, and use question-format headings for FAQ schema opportunities.
Don't force all PAA questions into your outline — only include those that genuinely fit your topic and add value. Over-optimization by cramming every question creates topical dilution and signals manipulation rather than helpfulness. SEO delivers 5.3x ROI versus 2x for paid search, so it's worth getting the fundamentals right.
Allocate word count based on topic importance and competition. The ideal blog post length for engagement is 1,500-2,500 words, with a sweet spot around 1,928 words. However, the right length depends on what's ranking for your specific keyword. A good blog outline generator will calibrate these targets automatically based on SERP data rather than using fixed templates.
For a 2,000-word article, plan for 5-6 H2 sections averaging 300 words each. Adjust based on topic depth — complex or competitive subtopics deserve more space. Google says word count is not a direct ranking factor, but comprehensiveness and depth correlate strongly with rankings.
| Tool | Best For | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nest Content Outline Generator | SERP-based outlines | Free | Competitor analysis, PAA integration, word counts |
| Frase | Content briefs | $15+/mo | AI outlines, SERP analysis, content optimization |
| SurferSEO | Content editors | $89+/mo | Outline + editor, NLP suggestions, SERP data |
| MarketMuse | Enterprise strategy | $149+/mo | Topic modeling, competitive gap analysis |
| Jasper | AI writing | $49+/mo | AI outline generation, template-based |
Why choose our free tool? Get SERP-powered outlines with competitor analysis and PAA integration — features that competitors charge $15-$149/month for. Perfect for freelancers, bloggers, and teams who need quality outlines without the subscription cost.
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Everything you need to know about creating SERP-powered outlines
Our AI analyzes the top Google results for your keyword, examining their heading structures, topic coverage, and content depth. It then creates an outline that covers the same essential topics while identifying gaps you can exploit to differentiate your content.
A complete blog outline should include a working title (H1), H2 main section headings with H3 subsections where needed, word count targets per section, key points to cover in each section, relevant People Also Ask questions to address, and notes from competitor analysis showing what top-ranking pages cover. Our blog outline generator builds all of this automatically from real SERP data.
Start with an H1 title that includes your primary keyword. Follow with an introduction that hooks the reader and establishes relevance. Use H2 headings for major sections that match the search intent behind your keyword. Break complex H2 sections into H3 subsections for scannability. Include a FAQ section addressing related questions, and close with a conclusion that includes a clear call to action. Every section should serve the user's intent — informational content should educate, commercial content should compare, and transactional content should guide toward action.
The best AI outline generator uses real SERP data and competitor analysis rather than generating outlines from AI knowledge alone. Generic AI tools produce generic outlines — they don't know what's actually ranking for your keyword. Our tool pulls live Google results, analyzes competitor heading structures, collects PAA questions, and uses AI to synthesize a data-informed outline. This SERP-powered approach produces outlines that are significantly more accurate and competitive than pure AI generation.
The number of headings depends on article length. A good rule of thumb is one H2 section per 200-300 words. For a 2,000-word article, plan for 6-10 H2 sections. Each H2 can contain 1-3 H3 subsections if the topic is complex enough to warrant them. Avoid using too few headings (walls of text hurt readability) or too many (fragments the content). Our outline generator calibrates heading count based on what top-ranking competitors use for your specific keyword.
No — only include the 2-3 most relevant ones that genuinely fit your topic. Forcing all PAA questions creates topical dilution and signals over-optimization. Our tool identifies the most relevant ones for integration.
Yes, export your outline in Markdown format, which works in virtually any editor or CMS. The formatted headings, descriptions, and word count targets are preserved for easy use.
Yes, completely free with no limitations. Generate unlimited outlines with SERP analysis and competitor data. No signup required. While other outline tools charge $15-$149 per month, our content outline generator gives you the same SERP-powered analysis at no cost.
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