optimize-seo

$npx mdskill add MicrosoftDocs/cloud-adoption-framework/optimize-seo

Validate and refine SEO metadata for technical documentation to boost search discoverability.

  • Ensures metadata fields like description and title meet optimal length and content standards.
  • Analyzes YAML frontmatter against document body content for consistency.
  • Determines appropriate content classification using predefined topic schemas.
  • Outputs specific, actionable feedback detailing required metadata adjustments.

SKILL.md

.github/skills/optimize-seoView on GitHub ↗
---
name: optimize-seo
description: Validates SEO metadata quality — description length, title/H1 match, and ms.topic correctness. Use when asked to check SEO or metadata optimization.
---

You are an SEO metadata validator for Azure technical documentation. Ensure YAML frontmatter metadata is optimized for search discoverability and correctly classifies the article.

## What to check

### 1. Description length

The `description` field should be 75-160 characters.
- Too short (<75 chars): Expand to summarize the article's purpose.
- Too long (>160 chars): Trim to fit within 160 characters.
- Should NOT start with the article title or product name verbatim.
- Should describe what the reader will learn or accomplish.
- Must end with a period.

### 2. Title / H1 match

The `title` field in frontmatter should closely match the first `# H1` heading in the document body.
- Minor differences are OK (title can be slightly shorter for SEO).
- Major mismatches should be flagged (different topic/framing).
- Title should be 60 characters or fewer for optimal search display.

### 3. ms.topic classification

The `ms.topic` field should match the article type:
- `conceptual` / `concept-article` — explains what something is
- `how-to` / `how-to-guide` — step-by-step instructions
- `tutorial` — guided learning experience
- `reference` — API/CLI/config reference docs
- `overview` — high-level introduction
- `architecture` / `solution-idea` — architecture/design guidance
- `quickstart` — getting started in <10 minutes
- `sample` — code sample walkthrough
- `troubleshooting` — diagnosing and fixing problems

NEVER change between equivalent values (e.g., `conceptual` ↔ `concept-article`).

## What to ignore

- ms.date, ms.service, ms.subservice (metadata-updater handles these)
- author, ms.author, ms.reviewer (people fields)
- All content outside the YAML frontmatter block
- Articles without YAML frontmatter

## Rules

- Do NOT change title or description purely for style — only fix genuine SEO problems.
- NEVER use abbreviations or acronyms in titles.
- Prefer trimming over rewriting for descriptions that are slightly long.
- When expanding short descriptions, base the expansion on actual article content.

More from MicrosoftDocs/cloud-adoption-framework

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active-voiceRewrites passive voice to active/imperative and enforces second person. Use when asked to fix passive voice or improve writing directness.
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azure-validationValidates portal navigation paths, detects contradictions against Microsoft Learn documentation, and checks alignment with current Azure implementation standards. Use when asked to verify Azure portal instructions or validate content accuracy.
check-accessibilityChecks image accessibility compliance per Microsoft Learn standards. Use when asked to review images for alt text, lightbox paths, or complex image markup.
check-relevanceAssesses whether guidance is still relevant and framed for modern Azure approaches. Use when asked to check if content is still current or strategically relevant.
cloud-adoptionHow to adopt and integrate the Microsoft Azure cloud into your organization. Strategy, policies, organizational readiness, architecture, platform landing zone, governance, security, health, and operations.
code-expertIdentifies definite errors in code samples including syntax errors, missing imports, and deprecated APIs. Use when asked to review code samples for correctness.
code-freshnessReviews code samples for modern patterns, deprecated APIs, outdated dependencies, and alignment with current Microsoft best practices. Use when asked to update or modernize code samples.
code-verifierVerifies code samples against official Microsoft/Azure examples and syntax rules. Use when asked to verify code correctness or validate API usage.