Content Cluster Examples: 5 Real-World Case Studies
Content clusters are the foundation of topical authority. These real-world examples show how successful websites structure their content to dominate search results.
What is a Content Cluster?
A content cluster is a group of related content pieces organized around a central pillar page. The pillar covers a broad topic comprehensively, while cluster pages dive deep into specific subtopics—all connected through strategic internal linking.
Example 1: HubSpot's Marketing Cluster
Pillar: "The Ultimate Guide to Marketing"
Cluster Content (20+ articles):
- • What is Digital Marketing?
- • Content Marketing Strategy Guide
- • Social Media Marketing Tips
- • Email Marketing Best Practices
- • Marketing Automation Explained
- • How to Create a Marketing Plan
Result: Ranks for 10,000+ marketing keywords
Example 2: Healthline's Nutrition Cluster
Pillar: "Complete Guide to Healthy Eating"
Cluster Content:
- • Mediterranean Diet Guide
- • Best Foods for Weight Loss
- • Understanding Macronutrients
- • Meal Prep for Beginners
- • Reading Nutrition Labels
- • Vitamins and Minerals Guide
Result: Top 3 rankings for most nutrition queries
Example 3: Ahrefs' SEO Cluster
Pillar: "SEO: The Complete Guide"
Cluster Content:
- • Keyword Research Guide
- • On-Page SEO Checklist
- • Link Building Strategies
- • Technical SEO Audit Guide
- • Local SEO Optimization
- • SEO Tools Comparison
Result: Dominant authority in SEO education
Example 4: NerdWallet's Credit Card Cluster
Pillar: "Best Credit Cards of 2025"
Cluster Content:
- • Best Travel Credit Cards
- • Best Cash Back Cards
- • Best Cards for Bad Credit
- • How to Choose a Credit Card
- • Credit Card Rewards Explained
- • Balance Transfer Cards Guide
Result: Ranks #1 for competitive financial keywords
Example 5: Backlinko's Link Building Cluster
Pillar: "Link Building for SEO"
Cluster Content:
- • Guest Posting Guide
- • Broken Link Building
- • Skyscraper Technique
- • Resource Page Link Building
- • HARO Link Building
- • Link Building Tools
Result: Authority on all link building topics
Key Takeaways from These Examples
What Successful Clusters Have in Common:
- Comprehensive pillars: 3,000-10,000 words covering the topic completely
- 10-30 cluster pages: Each targeting specific long-tail keywords
- Strategic internal links: Every cluster page links to the pillar
- Consistent publishing: Built over months, not days
Build Your Own Content Cluster
These examples show what's possible with a strategic content cluster approach. The key is starting with a comprehensive topical map that shows all the content you need to create.
Topical Map AI generates your complete content cluster blueprint in 60 seconds. Get 800-1,200 keywords organized into clusters—your roadmap to topical authority.