Brief Validation Gate (QA)

Brief Validation Gate (QA)

1. 01

   Pull the SERP snapshot for the target keyphrase

   Open the brief in your chosen tool and export the current top 10 ranking URLs, their titles, and meta descriptions. This gives you a baseline to compare against the brief's assumptions.

2. 02

   Cross-check the brief's recommended headings against the actual SERP

   For each heading in the brief, confirm it appears in at least two of the top-ranking pages. If a heading is missing from the SERP, flag it as a potential hallucination or a low-value addition.

3. 03

   Verify the semantic terms and questions map to real user intent

   Review the questions and related terms in the brief. Spot-check a sample of five against Google's People Also Ask and the top pages' content. If a question seems off-topic or overly generic, remove it.

4. 04

   Confirm the brief aligns with the client's brand voice and guidelines

   Read the brief's tone notes and example sentences. If the client has a style guide, compare the brief's language to it. Adjust any phrasing that sounds too generic or AI-generated.

5. 05

   Check that the brief includes a clear target word count and reading level

   Ensure the brief specifies a word count range and a reading level (e.g., 8th grade). If these are missing, add them based on the average of the top-ranking pages.

6. 06

   Validate the brief's internal linking and CTA suggestions

   Review any recommended internal links or calls-to-action. Confirm they point to existing client pages and that the CTA matches the client's conversion goal for that piece of content.

7. 07

   Approve or return the brief with specific revision notes

   If the brief passes all checks, mark it as approved and move it to the writer queue. If not, send it back with a list of the specific issues found, referencing the SERP data and client guidelines.