# Keyword Prioritization Framework

Systematic scoring methodology for ranking keywords by strategic value.

## Relationship to Opportunity Score

**Which score to use**: Use the Priority Score (below) for initial keyword triage and shortlisting. Use the Opportunity Score (Step 6 in the main workflow) for final content calendar prioritization, where the additional GEO and competitive factors provide more nuanced ranking.

## Priority Scoring Matrix

Score each keyword 1-5 on these factors, then calculate weighted total:

| Factor | Weight | Score 1 (Low) | Score 5 (High) |
|--------|--------|---------------|----------------|
| Search Volume | 20% | <100/mo | >10,000/mo |
| Keyword Difficulty | 25% | KD >80 (hard) | KD <20 (easy) |
| Business Relevance | 30% | Tangential to offering | Core to offering |
| Search Intent Match | 15% | Informational only | Transactional/commercial |
| Trend Direction | 10% | Declining | Growing |

**Priority Score** = Σ(Factor Weight × Score) / 5

## Priority Categories

| Priority | Score Range | Action |
|----------|------------|--------|
| P0 — Must Target | 4.0-5.0 | Create content immediately |
| P1 — High Value | 3.0-3.9 | Queue for next content sprint |
| P2 — Opportunity | 2.0-2.9 | Plan for future content calendar |
| P3 — Monitor | 1.0-1.9 | Track but don't prioritize |

## Seasonal Keyword Patterns

### Seasonal Analysis Framework

| Season Trigger | Example Keywords | Planning Lead Time | Content Strategy |
|---------------|-----------------|-------------------|-----------------|
| Calendar events | "Black Friday SEO", "New Year marketing plan" | 3-4 months ahead | Publish 6-8 weeks before peak |
| Industry events | "[Conference] takeaways", "Google algorithm update" | 1-2 months / reactive | Pre-plan templates, react quickly |
| Budget cycles | "marketing budget template Q1", "SEO ROI report" | 2-3 months ahead | Target planning season (Oct-Dec) |
| Seasonal demand | "summer marketing ideas", "holiday email campaigns" | 2-3 months ahead | Refresh annually with new data |
