Serp Analysis

This skill should be used when the user asks to "analyze search results", "SERP analysis", "what ranks for", "SERP features", "why does this page rank", "wha...

Security Scan

The skill's stated purpose (SERP/SEO analysis) matches most of its instructions, but there are inconsistencies around declared credentials/connectors and unspecified external integrations that merit caution before installing.

Purpose & Capability

The skill is explicitly an SEO/ SERP analysis tool and references metrics like domain authority, backlinks, featured snippets and AI Overviews—these legitimately map to tools such as Ahrefs and other SEO connectors. Declaring AHREFS_API_KEY as primaryEnv is consistent with the purpose. However, the metadata's requires.env list is empty while primaryEnv is set, which is an internal inconsistency.

Instruction Scope

SKILL.md instructs the agent to automatically fetch SERP snapshots, domain/page metrics, and AI Overview presence when 'SEO tool + search console + AI monitor' are connected. Those connectors/credentials are referenced but not declared (no Google Search Console or AI monitor env vars listed). The skill also allows WebFetch (network access) which is expected for fetching SERPs but could be used to transmit data externally — the instructions do not enumerate exactly which external services/hosts will be contacted, so the runtime behavior is underspecified.

Install Mechanism

Instruction-only skill with no install spec or code files. This minimizes on-disk installation risk; nothing is downloaded or executed by an installer.

Credentials

The metadata sets primaryEnv to AHREFS_API_KEY (reasonable for SEO metrics), but requires.env is empty — a mismatch. The skill text references other connectors (search console, AI monitor, MCP network access) that likely require additional credentials (Google Search Console, other SEO/AI tool API keys), but those are not declared. The lack of explicit credential declarations makes it unclear what secrets the skill may ask for at runtime.

Persistence & Privilege

always is false and the skill is user-invocable; it does not request persistent or elevated platform privileges. Autonomous invocation (disable-model-invocation=false) is the platform default and not in itself flagged. No install-time modifications or cross-skill config changes are indicated.

What to consider before installing

This skill appears to be a legitimate SERP/SEO analysis helper, but check these before installing: - Confirm which credentials it will actually request. The metadata lists AHREFS_API_KEY as primaryEnv, but requires.env is empty and the instructions reference additional connectors (Google Search Console, 'AI monitor') that would need their own credentials. Ask the author or inspect CONNECTORS.md to see a definitive list. - Understand network behavior: the skill permits WebFetch and promises automatic data pulls when connectors are present. If you enable it, only provide non-sensitive API keys you expect to share (e.g., Ahrefs). Do not provide broad account credentials unless you're comfortable with the skill having those API-level permissions. - Ask for a clear list of endpoints the skill will contact (e.g., api.ahrefs.com, api.searchconsole.google.com). If the skill contacts unknown or personal domains, do not proceed. - If you plan to use it with organization-level keys, consider creating scoped or read-only API keys and audit logs for those services. If the author can resolve the metadata inconsistency (make required env vars explicit and enumerate connector hosts) and supply a short connector list, the skill would be coherent for its stated purpose.

SEO & GEO Skills Library · 20 skills for SEO + GEO · Install all: npx skills add aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills

<details> <summary>Browse all 20 skills</summary>

Research · keyword-research · competitor-analysis · serp-analysis · content-gap-analysis

Build · seo-content-writer · geo-content-optimizer · meta-tags-optimizer · schema-markup-generator

Optimize · on-page-seo-auditor · technical-seo-checker · internal-linking-optimizer · content-refresher

Monitor · rank-tracker · backlink-analyzer · performance-reporter · alert-manager

Cross-cutting · content-quality-auditor · domain-authority-auditor · entity-optimizer · memory-management

</details>

This skill analyzes Search Engine Results Pages to reveal what's working for ranking content, which SERP features appear, and what triggers AI-generated answers. Understand the battlefield before creating content.

When to Use This Skill

• Before creating content for a target keyword
• Understanding why certain pages rank #1
• Identifying SERP feature opportunities (featured snippets, PAA)
• Analyzing AI Overview/SGE patterns
• Evaluating keyword difficulty more accurately
• Planning content format based on what ranks
• Identifying ranking factors for specific queries

What This Skill Does

1. SERP Composition Analysis: Maps what appears on the results page
2. Ranking Factor Identification: Reveals why top results rank
3. SERP Feature Mapping: Identifies featured snippets, PAA, knowledge panels
4. AI Overview Analysis: Examines when and how AI answers appear
5. Intent Signal Detection: Confirms user intent from SERP composition
6. Content Format Recommendations: Suggests optimal format based on SERP
7. Difficulty Assessment: Evaluates realistic ranking potential

How to Use

Basic SERP Analysis

Analyze the SERP for [keyword]

What does it take to rank for [keyword]?

Feature-Specific Analysis

Analyze featured snippet opportunities for [keyword list]

Which of these keywords trigger AI Overviews? [keyword list]

Competitive SERP Analysis

Why does [URL] rank #1 for [keyword]?

Data Sources

See CONNECTORS.md for tool category placeholders.

With ~~SEO tool + ~~search console + ~~AI monitor connected: Automatically fetch SERP snapshots for target keywords, extract ranking page metrics (domain authority, backlinks, content length), pull SERP feature data, and check AI Overview presence using ~~AI monitor. Historical SERP change data and mobile vs. desktop variations can be retrieved automatically.

With manual data only: Ask the user to provide:

1. Target keyword(s) to analyze
2. SERP screenshots or detailed descriptions of search results
3. URLs of top 10 ranking pages
4. Search location and device type (mobile/desktop)
5. Any observations about SERP features (featured snippets, PAA, AI Overviews)

Proceed with the full analysis using provided data. Note in the output which metrics are from automated collection vs. user-provided data.

Instructions

When a user requests SERP analysis:

1. Understand the Query

   Clarify if needed:

   • Target keyword(s) to analyze
   • Search location/language
   • Device type (mobile/desktop)
   • Specific questions about the SERP

2. Map SERP Composition

   Document all elements appearing on the results page: AI Overview, ads, featured snippet, organic results, PAA, knowledge panel, image pack, video results, local pack, shopping results, news results, sitelinks, and related searches.

3. Analyze Top Ranking Pages

   For each of the top 10 results, document: URL, domain, domain authority, content type, word count, publish/update dates, on-page factors (title, meta description, H1, URL structure), content structure (headings, media, tables, FAQ), estimated metrics (backlinks, referring domains), and why it ranks.

4. Identify Ranking Patterns

   Analyze common characteristics across top 5 results: word count, domain authority, backlinks, content freshness, HTTPS, mobile optimization. Document content format distribution, domain type distribution, and key success factors.

5. Analyze SERP Features

   For each present SERP feature: analyze the current holder, content format, and strategy to win. Cover Featured Snippet (type, content, winning strategy), PAA (questions, current answers, optimization approach), and AI Overview (sources cited, content patterns, citation strategy).

6. Determine Search Intent

   Confirm primary intent from SERP composition. Document evidence, intent breakdown percentages, and content format implications (format, tone, CTA).

7. Calculate True Difficulty

   Score overall difficulty (1-100) based on: top 10 domain authority, page authority, backlinks required, content quality bar, and SERP stability. Provide realistic assessments for new, growing, and established sites, plus easier alternatives.

8. Generate Recommendations

   Produce a summary with: Key Findings, Content Requirements to Rank (minimum requirements + differentiators), SERP Feature Strategy, Recommended Content Outline, and Next Steps.

   Reference: See references/analysis-templates.md for detailed templates for each step.

Validation Checkpoints

Input Validation

• Target keyword(s) clearly specified
• Search location and device type confirmed
• SERP data is current (date confirmed)
• Top 10 ranking URLs identified or provided

Output Validation

• Every recommendation cites specific data points (not generic advice)
• SERP composition mapped with all features documented
• Ranking factors identified from actual top 10 analysis (not assumptions)
• Content requirements based on observed patterns in current SERP
• Source of each data point clearly stated (~~SEO tool data, ~~AI monitor data, user-provided, or manual observation)

Example

Reference: See references/example-report.md for a complete example analyzing the SERP for "how to start a podcast".

Advanced Analysis

Multi-Keyword SERP Comparison

Compare SERPs for [keyword 1], [keyword 2], [keyword 3]

Historical SERP Changes

How has the SERP for [keyword] changed over time?

Local SERP Variations

Compare SERP for [keyword] in [location 1] vs [location 2]

Mobile vs Desktop SERP

Analyze mobile vs desktop SERP differences for [keyword]

Tips for Success

1. Always check SERP before writing - Don't assume, verify
2. Match content format to SERP - If lists rank, write lists
3. Identify SERP feature opportunities - Lower competition than #1
4. Note SERP volatility - Stable SERPs are harder to break into
5. Study the outliers - Why does a weaker site rank? Opportunity!
6. Consider AI Overview optimization - Growing importance

Reference Materials

• Analysis Templates — Detailed templates for each analysis step (SERP composition, top results, ranking patterns, features, intent, difficulty, recommendations)
• SERP Feature Taxonomy — Complete taxonomy of SERP features with trigger conditions, AI overview framework, intent signals, and volatility assessment
• Example Report — Complete example analyzing the SERP for "how to start a podcast"

Related Skills

• keyword-research — Find keywords to analyze
• competitor-analysis — Deep dive on ranking competitors
• on-page-seo-auditor — Optimize based on findings
• geo-content-optimizer — Optimize for AI citations
• meta-tags-optimizer — Optimize SERP appearance with meta tags
• rank-tracker — Track keyword position changes in SERPs
• performance-reporter — Track SERP visibility metrics over time