Content Optimizer analyzes your published articles against the current top-ranking pages for a target keyword, identifies exactly what's missing or outdated, and applies targeted fixes. Instead of rewriting an article from scratch, you get a prioritized list of specific suggestions and apply only what's needed.
Each suggestion tells you what to do and why:
| Type | What It Means |
|------|---------------|
| Add Section | Competitors all have a section you're missing |
| Update Section | An existing section needs new data or expanded coverage |
| Insert Keyword | Target keyword is missing from key locations (headings, intro) |
| Update Data | Statistics or examples are outdated |
| Improve Heading | A heading could be clearer or more keyword-optimized |
| Add Internal Link | Opportunity to link to related content on your site |
| Expand Content | A section is too thin compared to competitors |
| Restructure | Article organization could better match what's ranking |
From Content Hub: Click the refresh icon next to any published article in the content list.
From Content Decay Dashboard: Click the Refresh button on any decay alert. This pre-fills the optimizer with the decaying article's keyword and context.
From Article View: While viewing an article, click Refresh Content in the action bar.
All entry points show a confirmation dialog explaining that analysis costs 1 brief credit before proceeding.
After the scan completes, you see:
Competitive Analysis Summary:
Suggestion List: Each suggestion shows:
Individual: Click the checkmark on each suggestion to approve, or the X to reject.
Bulk: Use "Select All" to approve everything, or check specific suggestions and click "Approve Selected."
Click Apply N Selected Suggestions to have ILLIXIS rewrite the article with your approved changes.
The apply step takes 30-60 seconds. When complete, you see a before-and-after comparison showing exactly what changed.
Three options:
If the suggestions aren't enough and you want a complete refresh, click Rewrite All. This replaces the entire article using the competitive intelligence gathered during the scan. You still get the before-and-after diff to review before publishing.
| Action | Cost |
|--------|------|
| Running the competitive scan | 1 brief credit |
| Applying approved suggestions | Free |
| Full rewrite | Free |
| Re-scanning the same article | 1 brief credit (new scan) |
Rationale: you already invested in creating the original content. Maintaining it shouldn't cost extra beyond the competitive analysis.
The optimizer page goes through these states:
Prioritize high-traffic articles. Scan articles that drive the most organic traffic first. A 10% improvement on a high-traffic page has more impact than a 50% improvement on a page nobody visits.
Don't approve everything blindly. Review each suggestion. Some may not fit your brand voice or content strategy. The optimizer identifies gaps, but you decide what's worth addressing.
Check monthly. Set a reminder to scan your top 10 articles once a month. Catching decay early means smaller fixes and faster recovery.
Use with Content Decay. The Content Decay dashboard tells you which articles are slipping. The Content Optimizer tells you why and fixes it. Use them together.
Q: How is this different from creating a new brief? A: A brief creates new content from scratch. The Content Optimizer surgically updates existing content. You keep your URL, backlinks, and publishing history.
Q: Can I run the optimizer on content I didn't create in ILLIXIS? A: Yes, if the content is in your Content Hub (imported or published through ILLIXIS). The optimizer works on any published article in the system.
Q: What if I disagree with a suggestion? A: Reject it. Every suggestion is individual. You control what changes. The optimizer identifies competitive gaps but doesn't force any specific action.
Q: How often should I re-scan the same article? A: Monthly for high-traffic articles, quarterly for everything else. The SERP landscape changes constantly, so re-scanning surfaces new opportunities.
Q: Does applying changes affect my SEO negatively? A: No. The changes are designed to improve competitiveness based on what's currently ranking. Updating content with relevant information is a positive signal.
Need Help?
If the optimizer produces unexpected results or you're unsure how to interpret suggestions, reach out to support with the optimization ID (visible in the URL).
Maya is your always-on growth leader who analyzes your data, spots opportunities, and tells you exactly what to do next. No more wondering "what should I work on today?" Maya knows.
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