HomeCasa Prompts

Refresh a decaying article: traffic loss diagnosis and update plan

Diagnose why an article is losing clicks and rankings, then get a section-by-section refresh plan with new sections, rewritten copy and updated title tags. Designed for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Microsoft Copilot. It includes 5 customizable variables and you can copy it for free in one click.

Intermediate · Text · Pending editorial review

Designed for:

Prompt

Act as an SEO editor who specializes in recovering content that has lost organic traffic.

Article data:
- URL and main query: {{url_query}}
- Current article text: {{article_text}}
- Performance data (Search Console clicks, impressions, position and queries, before vs. now): {{performance_data}}
- What the pages outranking me offer today: {{competitors}}
- Last updated: {{last_updated}}

Deliverables:
1. Diagnosis: hypotheses ranked by likelihood for why the article is declining (outdated content, intent shift, more complete competitors, cannibalization, technical issues, SERP feature changes). For each, which data point confirms or rules it out.
2. Verdict: refresh, rewrite, merge into another URL or leave as is, with the reason.
3. Section-by-section plan: what to keep, cut, expand, and which new sections to add to cover the queries in the data.
4. Rewritten copy for the introduction and the two weakest sections.
5. A new title tag (max 60 characters) and meta description (max 155), two variants each.
6. Supporting changes: internal links to add to and from the article, images or tables, facts that need verifying.
7. How to measure the result over the following 4-8 weeks.

Constraints:
- Do not change the URL unless you justify it and specify the redirect.
- Do not invent statistics, studies or dates. Mark anything that needs checking with [FILL IN: verified fact].
- Do not just change the date to look fresh: every update must add real value.
- If the performance data is not enough for a diagnosis, tell me which report to export.

Format: diagnosis as a table, then the plan and copy under clear headings.

How to use it

Export the URL’s Search Console performance comparing the last 3 months with the previous period. Paste the full article and a summary of what the top 3 results offer. Apply the verdict first, then the rewritten copy.

Usage example

URL: /blog/how-to-choose-a-mattress · Query: how to choose a mattress · Clicks: from 1,200 to 640 per month · Last updated: March 2023.

Sample output

Diagnosis

HypothesisLikelihoodData point that confirms or rules it out
Intent shift: the SERP now rewards comparisonsHighCompetitors use comparison tables by mattress type
Missing subtopicsHighNew queries ("mattress for back pain", "hybrid mattress") have no section
Outdated contentMediumLast updated March 2023
CannibalizationLow[FILL IN: other URLs getting impressions for the same query]

Verdict

Refresh in depth, keeping the URL: the foundation is solid, but it no longer covers what the SERP expects.

Section-by-section plan

  • Keep: the intro on firmness and materials, with facts rechecked.
  • Expand: "Mattress types" becomes a comparison table (foam, pocket spring, latex, hybrid).
  • Add: "By sleeping position", "If you have back pain" (with a note to consult a professional) and an FAQ.
  • Cut: the generic block on "why sleep matters".

Title tag

  1. How to Choose a Mattress: Guide by Type and Sleep Position
  2. How to Choose a Mattress in 5 Steps (Comparison Table)

Meta description

  1. Compare foam, spring, latex and hybrid mattresses and find the right fit for your sleep position and back…

Key facts

Category
Marketing & SEO · SEO articles
Output type
Text
Level
Intermediate
Designed for
ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Microsoft Copilot
Verified in
Pending editorial verification
Variables
URL and main query, Current article text, Performance data, What competitors offer and Last updated
Language
English
Price
Free, no sign-up
Updated
Nov 7, 2026

Frequently asked questions

How often should I refresh an article?

There is no fixed schedule. Review it when clicks or rankings drop steadily, when facts in your industry change or when search intent evolves.

Does changing the publish date help rankings?

Not on its own. Update the date only after substantial changes; changing it without improving the content does nothing for readers.

What is this prompt for?

Diagnose why an article is losing clicks and rankings, then get a section-by-section refresh plan with new sections, rewritten copy and updated title tags.

Which AI tools does it work with?

It is designed for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Microsoft Copilot. We have not verified it in these tools yet, so results may vary between them.

How do I customize the prompt?

Click “Customize” and fill in the variables (URL and main query, Current article text, Performance data, What competitors offer and Last updated). The text updates instantly and you can then copy it in one click. Values are stored only in your browser.

Do I need experience to use it?

It is intermediate: it helps to know the topic so you can provide good context and review the result critically.

Is this prompt free?

Yes. Every HomeCasa Prompts prompt is free, with no sign-up or subscription. You can also use them in professional projects.

Can I trust the AI output?

Treat it as a high-quality draft: always check data, figures and important claims before publishing or making decisions.

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