What's a Topical Map Template?

A topical map template is a pre-built framework for organizing your SEO content strategy. Instead of starting from scratch, you fill in your topics, keywords, and article ideas following a proven structure.

Our template includes:

✓ Pillar page planning — Define your main hub content
✓ Cluster organization — Group related subtopics logically
✓ Keyword mapping — Assign primary/secondary keywords per article
✓ Content status tracking — Monitor drafts, published, needs update
✓ Internal link planning — Map connections between articles

Template vs Generator: Which Do You Need?

Feature	Free Template	AI Generator
Time to complete	10-20 hours	60 seconds
Keywords generated	Manual research	800-1,200 auto-generated
Topic clustering	Manual grouping	AI-powered semantic clustering
Article titles	Write your own	Generated with SEO optimization
Content briefs	Not included	Optional add-on
Best for	Learning the process	Production content planning

Our Recommendation:

Use the free template if you're learning topical mapping for the first time or have a very small niche. Use the AI generator if you need production-ready content plans or are managing multiple topics.

How to Use the Free Topical Map Template

Step 1: Copy the Template

Click the download button above to make a copy of our Google Sheets template to your own Google Drive. You'll have full editing access.

Step 2: Define Your Pillar Topic

In the first tab, enter your main topic. This should be broad enough to support 15-30 articles but specific enough to establish authority. Examples:

• "Email marketing" (not just "marketing")
• "Keto diet for beginners" (not just "diets")
• "WordPress security" (not just "WordPress")

Step 3: Brainstorm Clusters

Think about all the subtopics someone learning your main topic would need. Ask yourself:

• What questions do beginners ask?
• What tools/resources are involved?
• What are common problems and solutions?
• What comparisons do people search for?
• What's the step-by-step process?

Step 4: Research Keywords

For each cluster, use a keyword tool (Ahrefs, SEMrush, Ubersuggest, or Google Keyword Planner) to find related search terms. Add these to your template with search volume and difficulty if available.

Step 5: Plan Articles

Group keywords into articles. Each article should target one primary keyword and 3-5 secondary keywords that are semantically related.

Step 6: Map Internal Links

Use the linking tab to plan how articles connect. Your pillar page should link to all clusters, and cluster articles should link back to the pillar and to related articles.

Using the AI Topical Map Generator

If you want to skip the manual work, our AI generator creates complete topical maps in about 60 seconds.

What You Get:

800-1,200 keywords organized into semantic clusters
10-20 content clusters covering all angles of your topic
SEO-optimized article titles ready to write
Export to CSV/Excel for your workflow
Visual map interface for exploring your content structure

How It Works:

1. Enter your topic. Just type in what you want to rank for (e.g., "home coffee brewing").
2. AI generates subtopics. Our system identifies every relevant angle and question.
3. Review and customize. Remove subtopics you don't want or add specific ones.
4. Generate complete map. Get your full topical map with all keywords and article titles.
5. Export and execute. Download as spreadsheet or use the built-in content calendar.

Try the Generator Free →

No credit card required. First map free.

Topical Map Template Examples

Here's what a filled-in topical map looks like for a few different niches:

Example 1: SaaS Marketing Blog

Pillar: "B2B SaaS Marketing Guide"

Cluster: Content Marketing

• SaaS blog strategy
• Case study templates
• Thought leadership content

Cluster: Lead Generation

• SaaS lead magnets
• Demo request optimization
• Free trial strategies

Cluster: SEO for SaaS

• Product-led SEO
• Competitor comparison pages
• Integration pages

Cluster: Paid Acquisition

• SaaS Google Ads strategy
• LinkedIn ads for B2B
• Retargeting campaigns

Example 2: Health & Fitness Blog

Pillar: "Complete Guide to Intermittent Fasting"

Cluster: IF Methods

• 16:8 fasting guide
• 5:2 diet explained
• OMAD (one meal a day)

Cluster: IF + Exercise

• Working out while fasting
• Building muscle with IF
• Cardio and fasting

Cluster: IF for Specific Groups

• IF for women
• IF for beginners
• IF over 50

Cluster: What to Eat

• Best foods to break a fast
• IF meal plans
• What breaks a fast?

See more complete topical map examples →

Tips for Using Your Topical Map

Start with the pillar

Publish your comprehensive pillar page first. It sets the foundation for everything else.

Prioritize high-intent clusters

Write articles that answer buyer questions first—these drive conversions.

Add internal links immediately

Every new article should link to related content and the pillar page.

Update quarterly

New questions emerge, trends change. Review your map every 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Google Sheets for topical mapping?

Yes, our free template is a Google Sheets file. It works great for manual planning and collaboration. The limitation is you'll need to do keyword research separately.

How often should I create new topical maps?

Create a new topical map whenever you're expanding into a new topic area. Most sites have 3-10 topical maps covering their main content pillars.

What's the difference between a topical map and a content calendar?

A topical map tells you WHAT to write. A content calendar tells you WHEN to publish. Use your topical map to populate your content calendar.

Ready to Map Your Content Strategy?

Choose your path: download the free template or let AI do the work.

Download Free Template Generate with AI →

What is a Topical Map?

Complete beginner's guide

How to Create a Topical Map

Step-by-step tutorial

Free Topical Map Template + Generator

AI Topical Map Generator

Free Template Download