Summary
This checklist provides a structured framework for auditing content against search engines' self-assessment questions. It scores each page on completeness, originality, credibility, and presentation to generate actionable recommendations that improve quality and core update resilience.
How to use
Audit existing content on a recurring cadence (e.g., quarterly). Score each page against the Semantic Depth Standard and produce an actionable improvement plan. Consistent auditing is what builds core update resilience. For the wider workflow, see the Content Audit Framework.
Content audit scorecard
URL: [page being audited]
Auditor: [name]
Date: [YYYY-MM-DD]
| Category | Question (search-engine self-assessment) | Score (1–5) | Notes & action items |
|---|---|---|---|
| Completeness & substance | Does the content provide a substantial, complete, or comprehensive treatment of the topic? | ||
| After reading, will someone feel they learned enough to achieve their goal? | |||
| Originality & value | Does the content provide original information, reporting, research, or analysis? | ||
| Does it provide substantial value compared with other pages in the results? | |||
| Credibility & sourcing | Is the content clearly sourced, with evidence of expertise (author bio, citations)? | ||
| Would you trust this content for money-or-life (YMYL) topics? | |||
| Presentation & production | Is the content free of spelling and stylistic issues? | ||
| Is it produced well, or does it appear sloppy or hastily made? |
Final assessment
- Total score:
[sum] - Overall grade (A–F):
[grade from total] - Recommendation:
[Keep as-is / Minor update / Major rewrite / Consolidate / Prune] - Top required actions:
[List the 3–5 most important improvements from the notes above.]
Key Concepts
- content audit
- checklist
- quality assurance
- helpful content
- content improvement
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