9 Programmatic SEO Templates: Which One to Use
Not all programmatic SEO pages are the same. Each template type targets a different search intent and keyword pattern. Here are 9 proven template types and when to use each one.
Why Template Selection Matters
The template you choose determines which keywords you target, how your content is structured, and what search intent you serve. A comparison page serves a completely different purpose than a brand page, even when they use the same product data.
The most effective programmatic SEO strategies use multiple template types together. If you have 200 products, you might generate brand pages, comparison pages, and category pages from the same data, producing 1,000+ unique pages that each target a different keyword.
Here is a breakdown of each template type, when to use it, and real examples of how they perform in search.
1. Brand Pages
Brand pages are dedicated pages for each brand in your data. They aggregate all products from a brand, summarize the brand's strengths, and target branded search queries.
When to use it
When your data includes multiple brands and users search for brand-specific information. E-commerce, SaaS directories, and review sites benefit most.
Example
A shoe retailer generates pages like "Nike Running Shoes — Full Brand Guide" and "Adidas Trail Collection — Overview & Best Picks" from their product catalog.
2. Comparison Pages
Comparison pages pit two products, services, or brands against each other with a feature-by-feature breakdown. They target the massive volume of "vs" queries that people search daily.
When to use it
When you have comparable products in your data. Comparison pages work for any niche where users weigh options: software, electronics, services, financial products.
Example
"Monday.com vs Asana: Complete 2026 Comparison" with side-by-side feature tables, pricing breakdowns, and a verdict section.
3. Service/Solution Pages
Solution pages explain how a product or service solves a specific problem for a specific audience. They combine use-case targeting with product data to match intent-heavy queries.
When to use it
When your product serves different audiences or use cases. SaaS tools, agencies, and service businesses with multiple verticals get the most value.
Example
"Project Management for Remote Teams — Tools & Best Practices" generated from a SaaS tool's feature data combined with audience segments.
4. Glossary Pages
Glossary pages define terms and concepts in your industry. They target informational queries and build topical authority. Each term gets its own page with a definition, context, examples, and related terms.
When to use it
When your industry has specialized terminology. Technical fields, finance, healthcare, and legal niches have massive glossary keyword volumes.
Example
"What is Programmatic SEO?" and "What is GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)?" — each a standalone page targeting a definition query.
5. Blog/Content Hub Pages
Blog-style pages generated from structured data that read like editorial content. They target how-to queries and guide-style searches with data-backed articles.
When to use it
When you want to build topical authority with informational content. Works for any niche where users seek guides, tutorials, or expert advice.
Example
"How to Choose the Best CRM for Small Business" generated from CRM product data with feature comparisons, pricing, and recommendations.
6. Location Pages
Location pages create city-specific or region-specific landing pages. They combine your service or product data with location-specific information to target local search queries.
When to use it
When you offer services in multiple locations or when location is relevant to your product. Local businesses, chains, marketplaces, and delivery services use these extensively.
Example
"Best Coworking Spaces in Austin, TX" and "Best Coworking Spaces in Denver, CO" — each generated from the same data but localized with city-specific details.
7. Category Pages
Category pages aggregate products or services within a category and create a curated "best of" or overview page. They target high-volume category queries with structured listings.
When to use it
When your data has clear categories. E-commerce, directories, and review sites use category pages to capture broad search intent.
Example
"Best Noise-Canceling Headphones 2026" generated from a headphone database with top picks, comparison table, and buying guide sections.
8. Review Pages
Review pages provide detailed analysis of a single product or service. They include ratings, pros/cons, specifications, and a verdict. AI-generated content is grounded in real product data.
When to use it
When you have detailed product data including features, specifications, and ideally user reviews. Affiliate sites, review platforms, and e-commerce stores use these.
Example
"Sony WH-1000XM5 Review: Is It Worth It in 2026?" with structured ratings, feature breakdown, and comparison to alternatives.
9. Alternative Pages
Alternative pages list competitors to a popular product, targeting the growing "alternatives to X" search pattern. They include feature comparisons and help users evaluate options.
When to use it
When competing against well-known brands. "Alternatives to" queries have high commercial intent and are often underserved in search results.
Example
"10 Best Ahrefs Alternatives for 2026" with feature comparison table, pricing, and recommendations for different use cases.
Choosing the Right Template Mix
The best approach depends on your data and goals. Here is a decision framework:
| If you have... | Start with these templates |
|---|---|
| Product catalog with brands | Brand + Comparison + Category + Review |
| SaaS tool or service | Comparison + Alternative + Solution + Glossary |
| Multi-location business | Location + Service + Category |
| Directory or marketplace | Category + Review + Comparison + Brand |
| Technical or niche product | Glossary + Blog/Hub + Comparison + Solution |
Start with 2-3 templates and expand based on what performs best. Track which template types drive the most traffic and AI citations, then double down on those.
Quality Over Quantity
A common mistake in pSEO is generating too many low-quality pages. Google's helpful content update specifically targets "scaled content abuse," which means thin pages created primarily for search engines rather than users.
The fix is quality scoring. Every page should be evaluated for content uniqueness, factual accuracy, and user value before it goes live. Pages that do not meet a quality threshold should be regenerated or excluded.
Raank It includes automated quality scoring on every generated page. Pages scoring above 85 are auto-approved, while lower-scoring pages are flagged for review or regeneration. This prevents low-quality content from diluting your site's authority.
Template Optimization for GEO
Each template type has different GEO potential. Comparison and review templates naturally include structured data that AI engines love to cite. Brand and category templates are strong for building topical authority. FAQ-rich templates like glossary and solution pages match natural-language prompts.
The key is to ensure every template includes these GEO elements regardless of type:
- Schema.org JSON-LD markup matching the page type
- At least one FAQ section with natural-language questions
- Specific, verifiable data points (prices, ratings, dates)
- At least one comparison or data table
Learn more about optimizing for AI engines in our guide to getting cited by ChatGPT.
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