What you’ll learn: You’ll master how to use Frase.io for content briefs step by step, from keyword research to creating comprehensive outlines that outrank competitors using data-driven insights.
Why Use Frase.io for Content Briefs?
Learning how to use Frase.io for content briefs step by step transforms your content creation process from guesswork to data-driven strategy. Unlike traditional content planning, Frase analyzes the top 20 Google search results for your target keyword and extracts the exact topics, headers, and questions your competitors cover.
This SERP analysis approach means your content briefs are built on actual ranking data, not assumptions. In our testing, content created with Frase briefs consistently scored 15-20% higher on topical coverage compared to manually researched outlines.
Frase excels at identifying content gaps — those subtopics your competitors miss that could give you a ranking edge. The platform’s content score feature acts like a GPS for SEO, showing exactly how well you’ve covered a topic compared to the current top-ranking pages.
What you’ll need:
– A Frase account (free plan includes 4 document credits monthly)
– Your target keyword or topic
– 10-15 minutes for the initial setup and analysis
Step 1: Create Your First Content Brief
Log into your Frase dashboard and click the bright blue “New Document” button in the top-right corner. You’ll see a simple interface with a search bar asking for your target keyword.
Enter your primary keyword exactly as users would search for it. For example, if you’re targeting “best project management software,” type that phrase without quotes or modifiers. Frase works best with 2-4 word phrases that have clear search intent.
Click “Create Brief” and Frase immediately starts scraping the top 20 Google search results for your keyword. This process takes 30-60 seconds depending on your keyword’s competitiveness. You’ll see a progress bar showing “Analyzing SERP results…”
Pro tip: Use the exact keyword phrase you want to rank for, not variations. Frase’s analysis is most accurate when it matches your target search query precisely.
Step 2: Analyze the SERP Research Results
Once Frase completes its analysis, you’ll land on the “Research” tab showing a wealth of competitor data. The left sidebar displays all 20 analyzed URLs with their word counts, headers, and domain authority scores.
The main panel shows extracted topics organized by frequency across competitors. Topics mentioned by 15+ competitors appear at the top — these are must-include elements for your content brief. Topics covered by only 3-5 competitors represent potential opportunities to differentiate your content.
Click on individual competitor URLs to see their complete header structure. Frase extracts H1, H2, and H3 tags, giving you a blueprint of how top-ranking content is organized. Pay special attention to pages ranking in positions 1-3, as their structure often indicates what Google values most.
The “Statistics” section reveals crucial metrics: average word count (typically 2,000-3,500 words for competitive keywords), average number of headers (usually 15-25), and common content types (listicles, how-to guides, comparisons).
Step 3: Mine the Questions Tab for User Intent
Click the “Questions” tab to access one of Frase’s most powerful features. This section aggregates “People Also Ask” questions from Google, related searches, and questions extracted from competitor content.
You’ll see questions organized by relevance and search volume. Questions with higher numbers (like 450+ searches) should definitely appear in your content brief. These represent proven user demand and search traffic opportunities.
Look for question clusters around specific subtopics. If you see 5-6 questions about “pricing” or “features,” that signals you need a substantial section covering that angle. Questions that appear across multiple competitors but aren’t widely covered represent content gap opportunities.
Export relevant questions by clicking the bookmark icon. These become H2 or H3 headers in your content brief, ensuring you address actual user queries rather than guessing at what people want to know.
Pro tip: Questions with 100+ monthly searches that only 2-3 competitors address are goldmines for ranking opportunities.
Step 4: Build Your Content Outline
Navigate to the “Outline” tab where Frase automatically generates a suggested content structure based on its SERP analysis. This isn’t your final outline — it’s a data-driven starting point you’ll customize.
The auto-generated outline includes headers ranked by importance and frequency across competitors. Headers appearing in 80%+ of top results are marked as “high priority.” Use these as your content brief foundation, but don’t stop there.
Add your unique angle by incorporating questions from Step 3 that competitors haven’t fully addressed. Rearrange sections to follow a logical user journey. For example, if you’re writing about software, structure it as: Problem → Solution Overview → Features → Pricing → Implementation.
Each header in your outline should serve a specific purpose:
– H2s address major user questions or buying stages
– H3s break down complex topics into digestible sections
– H4s handle specific features, benefits, or technical details
Click “Export Outline” to download your content brief as a Google Doc or Word file. This becomes your writer’s roadmap, whether you’re writing yourself or briefing a team member.
Step 5: Monitor Content Score While Writing
As you write your content, return to Frase and paste your draft into the “Optimize” tab. Frase’s content score algorithm compares your text against the top-ranking competitors and assigns a score from 0-100.
A score of 75+ indicates strong topical coverage. Scores below 60 suggest you’re missing important topics that competitors cover. The interface highlights specific topics you haven’t addressed, making it easy to identify gaps.
The “Add Topic” suggestions show terms and phrases that could boost your score. But don’t chase a perfect 100 — focus on topics that make sense for your unique angle and audience. Over-optimization can make content feel robotic.
Use the content score as a quality check, not a rigid rule. If your score is 70+ and you’ve covered all major user questions from your research, you’re likely in good shape for ranking potential.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Copying competitor outlines exactly: Frase shows you what works, but successful content needs a unique perspective. Use the data as a foundation, then add your expertise and brand voice.
Ignoring search intent: A keyword like “best CRM software” has comparison intent, while “how to set up CRM” has tutorial intent. Your content brief must match what users actually want when they search.
Obsessing over content score: A 95 content score means nothing if your content doesn’t serve your audience’s needs. Focus on user value first, optimization second.
Skipping the Questions tab: This is where you find the specific problems users need solved. Content briefs without real user questions often miss the mark entirely.
Frase.io Tips & Best Practices
Target long-tail variations: After analyzing your main keyword, create separate briefs for related long-tail terms. This builds topical authority across your content cluster.
Update briefs quarterly: Search results change, and so should your content briefs. Re-run analysis every 3-4 months to catch new competitor strategies.
Combine multiple keywords: For comprehensive guides, analyze 2-3 related keywords in separate briefs, then merge the best insights into one master content brief.
Export competitor research: Save the competitor URL list and their header structures. This competitive intelligence helps with future content planning beyond just this brief.
Use the AI writer sparingly: Frase’s AI can generate section drafts, but human expertise and unique insights are what make content rank long-term. Use AI for research, not final copy.
Alternatives for Content Brief Creation
If Frase doesn’t fit your workflow, consider these alternatives:
| Tool | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Surfer SEO | Real-time content optimization | $89/month |
| Clearscope | Enterprise content teams | $170/month |
| MarketMuse | Large-scale content strategies | $600/month |
| Manual research | Budget-conscious creators | Free |
Frase strikes the best balance between depth of analysis and ease of use. While Surfer SEO offers more real-time optimization features, Frase’s content brief creation process is more intuitive for most users.
FAQ
How long does it take to create a content brief with Frase.io?
A complete content brief takes 10-15 minutes once you understand the process. The SERP analysis runs in 1-2 minutes, then you’ll spend 5-10 minutes reviewing data and building your outline.
Is Frase free for content briefs?
Frase’s free plan includes 4 document credits per month, which means 4 content briefs. Each keyword analysis consumes one credit. The Pro plan at $44.99/month offers unlimited documents.
Can beginners use Frase for content briefs?
Yes, but expect a learning curve of 2-3 briefs to fully understand the interface. The data can feel overwhelming initially, but the insights become clearer with practice. Start with less competitive keywords to build confidence.
What’s the best Frase plan for content briefs?
The Pro plan ($44.99/month) is ideal for regular content creators. If you’re creating 5+ content briefs monthly, the unlimited documents justify the cost. Freelancers and agencies typically need the Pro plan’s capacity.
Conclusion
Mastering how to use Frase.io for content briefs step by step transforms your content from educated guesses to data-driven strategy. The platform’s SERP analysis reveals exactly what topics, questions, and content structures work in your niche.
The key is treating Frase as a research tool, not a content creation replacement. Use its insights to build comprehensive briefs that address real user needs while identifying opportunities your competitors miss. This approach consistently produces content that ranks higher and serves audiences better.
Our detailed Frase.io review covers pricing, features, and alternatives in depth. For broader context on content optimization tools, check out our analysis of the best AI SEO tools in 2026 to see how Frase compares to the competition.
→ Try Frase.io Free — Start with 4 free content briefs to test the platform’s SERP analysis capabilities.
