Creating Topical Map for SEO: (No-nonsense Guide)

Want to create topical map for niche websites? This is a no-nonsense guide for beginners. It includes the theory and approach of gathering topics to make a topic cluster from scratch.

Read this article and practice to become the master of creating a topical map.

Now, there are two main reasons why you would use a topical map for your website:

1. To help search engines like Google understand your website. By organizing content around a central theme and related subtopics, you create a clear internal linking strategy and website structure (silo).
2. To make it easier for visitors to find what they’re looking for. It encourages the creation of in-depth content that covers various aspects of a specific topic.

Well! there are many articles and videos for Creating Topical Map, some of them are good, and some aren't.

Right now Semantic SEO is one of the most trendy topics in the SEO Community, so this could be helpful to understand holistic SEO. I hope this article will help you to grasp this topic.

In this article, I am sharing the exact method that I used to create a topical map with the basics that you need to understand.

Fill free to navigate or jump to sections…

What is a Topical Map?

A topical map, (also known as a strategic map or content cluster map, or content silo) is a strategic approach to organizing website content around specific topics.

In other words, topical maps in SEO are strategic visual presentations of the relationships between topics and subtopics.

Please note that —

It goes beyond simply using keywords, instead the focuses on building a network of interconnected pages that delve deeper into a central theme.

Creating a topical map is like making a big, organized chart for your website’s content. Or, ideally, you can compare it to a family tree.

In general, a topic map will help you plan out how all the pieces of your website fit together based on the main topics you (should) talk about.

Imagine you’re making a big family tree, but instead of people, you’re connecting all the different subjects and articles on your site.

Image Credit: treemily.com

Types of Topical Map

There are two main types of topical maps:

1. Cluster maps:

These maps are used to brainstorm and organize a broad range of topics related to a central theme. They are often used in the early stages of content creation to help identify potential subtopics and keywords.

2. Hub and spoke maps:

These maps are used to show the relationship between a central topic (the hub) and its subtopics (the spokes). They are often used to organize the content of a website or blog and can be helpful for users who want to find information on a specific topic.

Hub and spoke maps — image credit: andy-chadwick.com

The Components of a Topical Map

Let’s break down the idea of a semantic topical mind map in simple terms:

Imagine your topic is like a big tree:

• Main Topic = The Trunk: This is the central idea that your website will cover. For example, maybe your website is all about gardening.
• Subtopics = The Branches: These are specific parts of your big topic. In the gardening example, branches could be things like “Growing Vegetables”, “Growing Flowers”, or “Pest Control”.
• Pillar Page = The Center of the Tree: This is a long, important page that explains the whole main topic. Our gardening pillar page might be titled “The Beginner’s Guide to Gardening!”.
• Subtopic Articles = The Leaves: These are smaller pages that go deep into each branch of your topic. For example, a subtopic article on the “Growing Vegetables” branch might be “How to Plant a Tomato Garden”.

Understanding the Core Concept

1. Its Beyond Keywords

A topical map goes beyond simply including keywords in your content. It’s about strategically building a network of interlinked web pages around a central theme. Each page contributes to a broader understanding of the topic, forming a comprehensive information hub.

2. Internal Linking & Relevance

Each page within the map is connected to the central theme (usually a “pillar page”) through internal linking. These links should use descriptive anchor text that tells the content’s relevance to the main topic and provides context for both users and search engines.

Now let's see some examples of topical maps to better understand the matter.

Example

Topical Map Flow Chart — Image Credit: moz.com

Or

Topical Map — Image Credit: Draft. dev

Now that you may already know that there are many graphical presentation styles, however, the primary goal is to remain the same.

Most topical map is created in excel or google sheet, however you can use different tools to create visual representations.

Now

How to Create a Topical Map?

Well, here’s a more detailed and informative guide on crafting a topical map for your website, combining the holistic SEO approach:

Step 1. Identify Your Niche Audience

When you’re first developing a technical map for semantic SEO, is straightforward. Identify your niche audience.

In this step, you need to find the

• The niche/s that represent the website's ideal client or readers.
• Learn about the ideal audiences,
• Find out the niche broadness and coverage,
• In the end, create a buyer persona and
• A list of core topics…

Step 2: Research & Select Topics to Cover

Now, concentrate on choosing and investigating subjects that are closely related to your target market and niche.

During this fundamental stage, you will delve deeply into the identification of your target audience, as well as their needs, interests, and the particular questions they are trying to answer.

By pinpointing your niche, you can tailor your content strategy to address the unique aspects of your audience, ensuring the topics you choose to cover are both relevant and engaging to them. This step is crucial for setting a strong foundation for your topical map.

Start with In-depth Keyword Research:

Conduct thorough keyword research using tools like Google Keyword Planner. Analyze search volume, competition level, and user intent for potential topics.

You want topics with significant search demand and that align with your expertise and the website’s overall focus.

When you’re going to create a topical cluster the first thing you need to do is — list out all the keywords related to a niche. Make sure that your keywords list includes — All niche keywords, and Related keywords(Both Semantic and Lexical )

Use the following SERP features to see what people are searching for:

• Knowledge Panels
• People Also Ask
• Google Auto Suggest
• Keyword Research Tools
• From compotators keyword list (use ahrefs, semrush, or keywordinsider.io)

Now, merge all the data into a CSV or Excel file.

Step 3: Choose a Core Topic

Let’s walk through these steps with a real-life example!

Imagine you have a passion for baking and want to share your knowledge.

Your core topic could be “baking,” “cakes & cookies,” “dessert recipes,” or something similar.

Use free online tools like Google Trends to see what people are searching for related to your chosen topic. This helps you understand what’s currently popular and what questions people have.

Identifying Related Queries

Now, think about specific questions people might ask about your core topic. These are your related queries.

Put yourself in the shoes of someone searching for baking information and brainstorm questions they might have.

For example, if your core topic is “cakes,” some related queries might be:

• “Easy cake recipes for beginners”
• “How to decorate a birthday cake”
• “Best cake recipes for kids”
• “Tips for troubleshooting common cake problems”

Step 4 . Grouping & Organizing Topics

1. Cluster Similar Topics

Group your identified topics and subtopics based on their logical connections. Each group becomes a “cluster” representing a specific sub-category within the broader theme.

2. Identify Pillar Content

Within each cluster, designate a comprehensive, in-depth article as the “pillar content.” This pillar page will serve as the central piece, covering the main topic in detail and providing a framework for the supporting subtopic articles.

Example of steps 1 to 4:

Let’s say- gardening is our niche,

The core topics of gardening are — growing vegetables, flowers, herbs, etc,

Now each of these core topics has some sub-topics to cover. Let’s select growing vegetables and identify subtopics.

The subtopics of growing vegetables are — growing + [vegetable name] (i.e. tomatoes, eggplant, ginger, Potato, Cabbage, etc… ).

Now it can go dip down —

The subtopic 2 growing tomatoes — Type of tomatoes, tomato soil type, tomato care, tomato fertilizers, tomato pest control, etc.

No each subtopics 2 can have several topics to cover. Hence, you can create subtopic 3 and subtopic 4.

Note: Generally the topical map does not go beyond subtopic 4.

Step 5. Crafting Pillar Content

Develop Spoke/ Hub Content First —

Contrary to traditional approaches, start by developing your Spoke/ Hu content.

These detailed articles should address specific questions or aspects of your main topic, providing value and depth.

Creating spoke content allows you to

• cover a wide range of subtopics,
• making it easier to compile and
• summarize this information in your hub content later.

Tips for Creating Pillar Content

1. Make it High-Quality & Authoritative.
2. Cover the main topic thoroughly, addressing various aspects and providing valuable insights.
3. Organize the content logically with clear headings, subheadings, and bullet points for easy readability.
4. Use compelling language, visuals, and examples to keep the audience engaged and informed.

Step 6. Creating Subtopic Articles

Write a separate article on each of the cluster’s subtopics. These articles ought to provide in-depth, targeted information by delving deeper into particular facets of the primary subject.

Each subtopic article should include pertinent links to the associated pillar content. Make use of evocative anchor text that portrays the content’s connection to the main page accurately.

Step 7. Creating the Linking Strategy

Use a well-thought-out internal linking structure to link subtopic articles to your pillar content and vice versa.

As a result, an information web is created that makes it easy for users to switch between relevant subjects.

Stress the importance of giving internal links descriptive and pertinent anchor text.

This improves the user experience by making it easier for search engines and users to understand the relationship between the linked pages.

Step 8. Monitoring & Improvement

Regularly track the performance of your topical map. Analyze metrics such as organic traffic, keyword rankings, and user engagement metrics to identify areas for improvement.

Regularly update and expand your content to reflect keyword research and industry trends. This ensures that your website retains its topical relevance and gains authority over time.

Example

Main Topic: Cooking
Clusters:

• Cuisine Types: (e.g., Italian, Mexican, Indian)
• Cooking Techniques: (e.g., Grilling, Baking, Frying)
• Kitchen Essentials: (e.g., Knife Skills, Choosing Ingredients, Food Safety)

Pillar Content:

• “The Ultimate Guide to Different Cuisines Around the World”
• “Mastering Essential Cooking Techniques: A Comprehensive Guide”
• “The Essential Kitchen Toolkit: Must-Have Tools & Equipment for Every Chef”

Subtopic Articles:

Within the “Cuisine Types” cluster, you might have articles like

• “A Guide to Authentic Italian Pasta Dishes” and
• “Spicy Mexican Street Food Recipes.”

In the “Cooking Techniques” cluster, examples could be “Grilling Tips for Perfectly Cooked Ste.

Watch Out for These Traps

Building a topical map is similar to building a house: there may be challenges along the way.

Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

• Creating the same content over and over (Overlapping Topics): Regularly review your website and update your information to keep it fresh and valuable.
• Not understanding the user intent — Semantic keyword research is the most effective way to solve this problem. The terms “best laptops for students”, “what to consider when buying a laptop for college”, and “reviews of top laptops for schoolwork” all refer to the same thing. In a nutshell, you should go through each topic one by one and see if it is necessary.
• Allowing your content to become dusty: The web is constantly changing, so keep your topical map up to date. Add new topics, remove old ones, and ensure that everything is current. Tools like Google Trends can help you see what people are looking for right now.
• Not observing competition: Investigate what other websites in your area are doing well and use that information to improve your topical map. You can use tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs to analyze competitors.
• Accidentally competing with yourself (cannibalization): Ensure that each piece of content on your website is focused on a specific topic and does not overlap with other pages. Regularly review your map to identify any areas where things may be competing for the same search term.

You can use AI (ChatGPT, Gemini AI) and Machine Learning tools to solve the problems above—

• Find gaps in your content so you know where to create new things.
• See what’s trending so you can stay ahead of the curve.
• Understand what people are looking for and how your content is performing.

Now let’s talk about the fancy thing (totally optional)

Creating a Visual Topical Mind Map in Free Mind Mapping App

Miro

Here’s a breakdown of crafting a topical mind map for your website using Miro:

1. Launch Miro and Create a New Board:

• Open the Miro app or access it through your web browser.
• Click the “+ New Board” button to create a new workspace for your mind map.

2. Choose the Mind Map Template:

• Once your board opens, explore the template options in the left-hand panel.
• Look for the “Mind Map” template and click on it to add it to your board.

3. Define Your Central Topic:

• In the center of the mind map canvas, click to add a text box.
• Here, type in your chosen core topic, which represents the main theme of your website.

4. Brainstorm Subtopics:

• Click the plus sign (+) symbol on either side of the central topic box.
• These new boxes will become your subtopic branches.
• Brainstorm and add relevant subtopics that represent specific aspects or categories within your main topic.

5. Develop Subtopic Branches:

• Repeat step 4 for each subtopic to further branch out with even more specific details.
• You can add multiple layers of subtopics for a detailed and comprehensive mind map.

6. Use Descriptive Labels:

• Ensure each box on your mind map has a clear and concise label that accurately reflects the content it represents.
• Avoid using overly broad or ambiguous terms.

7. Connect Related Topics (Optional):

• While optional, you can use the Connect tool in the top toolbar to establish connections between related subtopics or ideas.
• This helps visualize the relationships and hierarchy within your topical map.

8. Enhance Your Mind Map:

• Miro offers various features to customize your mind map:
• Change colors: Use different colors for different branches or layers to improve clarity.
• Add icons: Use relevant icons to visually represent subtopics or ideas.
• Attach notes: Add additional information or details within each box using the note feature.

9. Save and Share Your Mind Map:

• Once you’re satisfied with your topical mind map, click the “File” menu and choose “Download as Image” or “Download as PDF” to save it for future reference.
• You can also share your mind map with colleagues or collaborators using the sharing options in the top right corner of the board.

Final Words:

Creating a topical map might seem like a complex task, but it’s a highly valuable investment for your website’s success. By following the steps outlined above and taking advantage of the resources available, you can build a comprehensive and strategic roadmap for your content.