Topical maps are visual diagrams that show how your content topics relate to each other. They organize main topics, subtopics, and supporting keywords into a hierarchical structure that guides your content creation strategy.
What topical maps show
A topical map displays:
Core topic - Your main subject area at the center (e.g., "Organic Skincare"). Subtopics - Related topics branching from the core (e.g., "Face Care," "Body Care," "Ingredients"). Supporting keywords - Specific search terms under each subtopic (e.g., under "Face Care": "organic face moisturizer," "natural face wash"). Relationships - Visual connections showing how topics relate to each other. Search metrics - Volume and difficulty data for each keyword.This structure helps you see the full content landscape and identify gaps in your coverage.
Accessing topical maps
Topical maps are created automatically when you complete the content strategy wizard. To view them:
- Go to Content Hub in the main navigation
- Select Topical maps
- Browse your existing maps
- Click any map to open the interactive viewer
Each content strategy generates one or more topical maps depending on how many topics you selected in the wizard.
Using the map viewer
The interactive viewer lets you explore and work with your topical maps:
Navigation:- Drag to pan around the map
- Scroll to zoom in and out
- Click nodes to see details
- Double-click to expand or collapse branches
- Circle nodes - Main topics
- Rectangular nodes - Subtopics
- Small dots - Individual keywords
- Green - High priority keywords (high volume, manageable difficulty)
- Yellow - Medium priority keywords
- Gray - Low priority or very competitive keywords
- Hover over any node to see quick stats
- Click for full details and options
- Right-click for action menu
Understanding map structure
Topical maps follow a hierarchy:
Level 1: Core topic
The central theme of your content strategy. Everything connects back to this.
Example: "Sustainable Fashion"Level 2: Subtopics
Major categories within the core topic. These become pillar content pieces.
Examples: "Eco-Friendly Materials," "Ethical Manufacturing," "Care and Maintenance"Level 3: Supporting keywords
Specific search queries related to each subtopic. These become individual articles.
Examples under "Eco-Friendly Materials":- "organic cotton vs conventional cotton"
- "recycled polyester benefits"
- "hemp fabric properties"
This structure mirrors how search engines understand topic relationships and helps you cover topics comprehensively.
Creating content from maps
To use a topical map for content planning:
1. Start with pillar content
Create comprehensive guides for each main subtopic (Level 2).
Characteristics:- Long-form content (2,000-3,000+ words)
- Covers the subtopic thoroughly
- Links to all supporting articles
- High-quality resource page
2. Create cluster content
Write detailed articles for supporting keywords (Level 3).
Characteristics:- Focused on specific questions or aspects
- 800-1,500 words typically
- Links back to pillar content
- Targets long-tail keywords
3. Build internal links
Connect articles following the map structure:
- Pillar content links to all cluster articles
- Cluster articles link back to pillar
- Related cluster articles link to each other
- Core topic page links to all pillars
This creates a "topical authority" signal for search engines.
Working with individual nodes
Click any node to access options:
View keyword details:- Search volume
- Keyword difficulty
- Current ranking (if you have content for it)
- Search intent
- Related questions
- Generate article outline
- Write full article with AI
- Add to content calendar
- Assign to team member
- Mark as high priority
- Add notes
- Change keyword target
- Hide from map if not relevant
- Which other keywords relate
- Parent and child topics
- Recommended internal link targets
Editing topical maps
To modify a map:
- Open the map in the viewer
- Click Edit mode at the top
- Make changes:
- Drag nodes to reorganize - Add custom keywords - Remove irrelevant keywords - Change priorities - Add notes
- Click Save changes
Tracking progress
The map shows your content coverage:
Colors indicate status:- Green border - Content exists and ranks
- Blue border - Content exists but doesn't rank yet
- Yellow border - Content planned (in calendar)
- Gray border - No content yet
This visual progress tracking helps you see:
- Which areas you've covered
- Where gaps remain
- What to prioritize next
Update automatically as you create and publish content.
Exporting topical maps
To save or share your map:
- Open the map viewer
- Click Export at the top right
- Choose format:
- Image (PNG) - Visual snapshot of the map - PDF - Printable version with annotations - CSV - Spreadsheet with all keywords and metrics - Outline - Hierarchical text format
Use cases:- Share with team members or clients
- Present strategy to stakeholders
- Import to project management tools
- Print for wall reference
- Include in strategy documents
Multiple topical maps
Create separate maps for:
Different product lines - Each major product category gets its own map. Different audiences - B2B vs. B2C content might need separate maps. Different content goals - Awareness vs. conversion content organized differently. Different business units - If you have distinct service areas. Geographic variations - Local SEO might need region-specific maps.Manage multiple maps from the topical maps dashboard. Each can have its own calendar and tracking.
Best practices
Keep maps focused - Don't try to map your entire business in one structure. Better to have multiple focused maps. Update regularly - As you create content and see what works, refine your maps to reflect reality. Follow the hierarchy - Don't skip levels. Every supporting keyword should connect to a subtopic, which connects to the core topic. Use actual search data - Let keyword research guide structure rather than assumptions about what people search for. Consider search intent - Group keywords by intent (informational, commercial, transactional) as much as topic similarity. Link internally - Actually implement the linking structure the map suggests. That's where SEO value comes from.Common uses
New content strategy - Start with a topical map to plan a comprehensive content program from scratch. Content audit - Map your existing content to find gaps and redundancies. Competitive analysis - Map competitor content to see what they cover and where opportunities exist. Link building - Use maps to plan internal linking and identify pages that need more links. Topic clustering - Organize scattered content into logical groups for better user experience. Content migration - Plan new site structure when redesigning or migrating.Troubleshooting
Map feels too broad
- Split into multiple focused maps
- Increase specificity of core topic
- Remove low-priority branches
- Focus on one audience or use case
Not enough keywords
- Expand keyword research for existing subtopics
- Add custom keywords manually
- Research competitor content for ideas
- Consider adjacent topics to add
Keywords don't fit the structure
- Reorganize subtopics to better match keyword themes
- Create additional subtopic categories
- Remove outlier keywords
- Consider separate map for different content angle
Map doesn't match actual content
- Edit map to reflect your real content strategy
- Archive old maps that no longer apply
- Create new maps for new directions
- Accept that maps are guides, not rigid rules
What's next
After working with topical maps:
- Create content calendars
- Generate content from maps
- Track content performance
- Run SEO audits on published content
Questions about topical maps? Use the chat widget in the bottom-right corner or email support@convertmate.io.