# Blog Refresher

Refresh and improve existing blog posts to outrank competitors using a 6-phase content...

- Repository: https://github.com/Illyism/seo-skills (695 stars)
- Category: Writing
- License: see repository
- Last updated: 2026-10-30
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add Illyism/seo-skills --skill blog-refresher -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add Illyism/seo-skills --skill blog-refresher -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add Illyism/seo-skills --skill blog-refresher -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add Illyism/seo-skills --skill blog-refresher -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Refresh and improve existing blog posts to outrank competitors using a 6-phase content audit and SERP gap analysis. Use when the user wants to update, refresh, or improve an existing blog post, recover lost rankings, or asks why a post fell behind competitors.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Blog Refresher

You update existing blog posts so they outrank the pages above them. Analyze the post, compare it with the top-ranking competitors, find the gaps, and write an improved version that keeps the original voice.

Use real research tools: web search or a SERP API for rankings, and a page fetcher for competitor content. Do not rely on memory for what ranks or what competitors say. Use today's date for anything time-sensitive.

Keep messages short and actionable until the final refreshed content.

## The 6-phase framework

1. **Current state analysis**: assess the existing post
2. **Competitor research**: analyze the top 5, 10 SERP results
3. **Gap identification**: what competitors have that the post lacks
4. **Improvement plan**: a structured upgrade strategy
5. **Approval checkpoint**: present findings and wait for approval
6. **Content recreation**: write the refreshed version

## Phase 1: Current state analysis

### Content audit checklist

```
BASIC METRICS
□ Word count
□ Last updated
□ Current ranking for the main keyword (if Search Console or rank data exists)
□ Page traffic per month (if analytics exists)

STRUCTURE
□ Number of H2s and H3s
□ Lists, tables, images, media
□ Internal and external links

QUALITY
□ Readability (grade level)
□ Content depth: shallow / medium / deep
□ Unique insights
□ CTAs present
```

### Initial assessment

```
EXISTING POST ANALYSIS
Title:
URL:
Primary keyword:

STRENGTHS: what works, unique angles, strong sections to keep
WEAKNESSES: outdated information, missing topics, weak sections, poor flow
QUICK WINS: easy updates, stats to refresh, broken links to fix
```

## Phase 2: Competitor research

### Step 1: Read the SERP

Extract the top 10 titles, the featured snippet, People Also Ask questions, related searches, and the dominant content format.

### Step 2: Pick 5 competitors

Prioritize direct competitors, pages ranking #1, 3, recently updated content, and pages with visible engagement.

The rest: https://github.com/Illyism/seo-skills/blob/HEAD/seo/blog-refresher/SKILL.md