Topical map generator for building authority in your niche
Writing random posts on a topic rarely makes a site look like an authority. A topical map plans the whole subject first: the main pillars, every subtopic people search, and how pages link. Your todo.is agent builds it from live search data, marks what you already have and shows the order to write in.
The prompt
- Create a topical map for [NICHE] for [WEBSITE]. Our readers are [AUDIENCE]. Research the topic using Google results, People Also Ask, related searches and the structure of the top-ranking sites in the niche. Build a map with 4–8 pillar topics, each with clusters and supporting articles. For each article give: working title, main keyword, search intent, type (guide, how-to, list, comparison, glossary), the pillar it links to and 2 related articles to link to. Mark which pages already exist on my site and which are missing. Suggest a publishing order that builds complete clusters first, starting with [STARTING POINT]. Save it as an Excel file (one tab per pillar) plus a simple tree diagram as a PNG.
What to change
- [NICHE]: e.g. "home composting".
- [WEBSITE]: e.g. "backyardloop.com", or "new site".
- [AUDIENCE]: e.g. "beginners with small gardens or balconies".
- [STARTING POINT]: e.g. "the topics closest to our product (compost bins)" or "the easiest topics to rank for".
Example result
- Topical map · home composting · backyardloop.com (example)
- 6 pillars · 22 clusters · 118 articles · 31 already exist
- Pillar 1: Composting basics
- • Cluster: How composting works · greens and browns ratio · what is hot vs cold composting · how long compost takes
- • Cluster: What to compost · can you compost citrus · can you compost paper towels · what not to compost (list)
- • Cluster: Getting started · composting for beginners (pillar guide) · composting in winter
- Pillar 2: Compost bins and methods
- • Cluster: Bin types · tumbler vs static bin (comparison) · best compost bin for small gardens · DIY pallet compost bin
- • Cluster: Small-space composting · balcony composting · bokashi composting guide · worm composting in an apartment
- Pillar 3: Problems and fixes
- • why does my compost smell
- • compost too wet / too dry
- • fruit flies in compost
- • rats in compost: how to prevent them
- Pillar 4: Using compost
- • how to tell when compost is ready · how much compost to add to a garden bed · compost tea
- Pillars 5–6
- • Vermicomposting (worms) and Community and city composting (rules, collection services)
- Internal linking rules
- • Every article links up to its pillar and across to 2 siblings
- • Pillar pages link down to every article in their clusters
- • Problem articles link to the bin and method pages that prevent the problem
- Publishing order (first 4 weeks)
- • Week 1: Compost bins pillar + tumbler vs static bin
- • Week 2: best compost bin for small gardens + balcony composting
- • Week 3: why does my compost smell + compost too wet
- • Week 4: bokashi composting guide + worm composting in an apartment
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and add your niche, site, audience and where to start.
- Paste it into todo.is or send it to your agent on WhatsApp or Discord.
- Your agent researches the niche, builds pillars and clusters, and marks what your site already covers.
- Work through the publishing order, and ask your agent for a brief or draft whenever you start a new article.
Tips for a better result
- Finish one cluster before starting the next. A complete cluster shows depth better than scattered posts.
- Keep one article per search intent. If two titles would answer the same question, merge them.
- Update the map as you publish: send your agent your new URLs and ask it to fill in the internal links.
- Start near your product or service, so early traffic has a natural next step.
topical map generator: FAQ
- What is a topical map? A plan of all the topics and subtopics a site should cover in its niche, grouped into pillars and clusters, with how the pages link together.
- What is the difference between a topical map and a content calendar? A topical map is what to cover and how it connects. A content calendar is when each piece gets published. Most sites need both.
- How many articles does a topical map need? It depends on the niche. A focused niche may need 30 to 50 articles; a broad one can need hundreds. Start with the cluster closest to your business.
- Does topical authority guarantee rankings? No. Covering a topic well helps readers and search engines understand your site, but each page still needs to be the best answer for its search.
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