Best ChatGPT Prompts for Article Writing (Free Templates)

Article writing is both craft and discipline. You need a clear structure, a strong angle, and a voice readers can trust without wasting a single sentence. At YourAIPedia, we do not publish fluffy “AI magic” takes. We write, test, and refine with the same rigor we bring to product reviews and tutorials. That is why our prompt playbooks focus on repeatable systems, not one-off tricks.

Used well, ChatGPT becomes a reliable editorial partner. It can surface angles you did not consider, tighten your lede, map out sections, and pressure-test claims against your brief. Used poorly, it produces generic copy that hurts credibility and time on page. The difference is the prompt. In this guide, we share field-tested prompts that mirror a real editor’s workflow, from prewriting and outline scaffolds to clarity passes, fact-check prompts, SEO checks, and final polish.

Each prompt is plug-and-play with your topic, audience, and objective. You will see when to use it, how to adapt it, and how to combine prompts into a simple pipeline you can run for every story. Whether you are a seasoned writer shipping on a deadline or publishing your first explainer, these prompts help you produce cleaner drafts faster without losing your voice or lowering your standards.

• What you will learn: how to create outlines that do not collapse mid-article, write intros that set a promise and deliver, and build sections that flow logically.
• What you will not get: hype, filler, or copy-and-paste “SEO content.” We show how to keep claims precise and verifiable.
• How to use this guide: grab the prompt, swap in your topic, constraints, and sources, then follow the notes for quality control.

Up next, we will walk through the article workflow step by step, starting with ideation and angle selection, then share the exact prompts we use to move from blank page to publish-ready draft.

ChatGPT Prompts for Article Writing

This section gives you editor-grade prompts that guide the entire writing process so your articles stay useful, scannable, and trustworthy. Each prompt includes usage tips and a copy-ready block you can paste straight into ChatGPT.

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Best ChatGPT Prompts for Article Writing (Free Templates)

August 24, 2025 · Denis

1) Brainstorm Article Topics

When to use: You have a niche in mind but need angles that match search demand and reader intent.

• Goal: Produce a prioritized list of SEO-viable topics with click-worthy headlines.
• Inputs: [topic], optional [audience], [region], and business goals.
• Output: Titles with target keyword, search intent, and why it will help readers.

Copy this prompt

Act as an experienced SEO copywriter. Brainstorm 25 compelling article ideas about [topic] for [audience, optional] in [region, optional].

For each idea, provide:
- Working title that is clear and click-worthy
- Primary keyword and top secondary keywords
- Search intent (informational, transactional, mixed)
- One-sentence angle that explains the reader value
- Difficulty estimate (easy, medium, hard) and why
- Monetization note (affiliate, lead magnet, newsletter, internal link hub)
- Freshness need (evergreen, quarterly refresh, news-sensitive)

Rules:
- Front-load the core keyword in the title when natural.
- Avoid vague "ultimate guide" phrasing unless justified by scope.
- Prefer problems and use-cases over tool-name vanity posts.
- Group the list into 3 clusters that support a topic hub.
- End with a 6-week publishing plan by cluster priority.

Return as a table.

Why this works

It pushes beyond a raw idea list into clustered topics with keywords, intent, and monetization paths. That gives you a roadmap you can schedule, not a random set of headlines.

Quick variants

Using [topic], analyze the top 10 SERP results for 5 head terms and 10 long-tails.

List gaps: underserved intents, missing formats, outdated facts, weak E-E-A-T.

Propose 10 titles that directly cover those gaps. Include target snippets to win.

Create an angle matrix for [topic] that crosses 6 reader jobs-to-be-done with 6 content formats (how-to, teardown, checklist, comparison, case study, template).

Output the 12 best combinations with title, audience, and success metric.

For [topic], brainstorm 15 article ideas that align with [monetization model: affiliate, lead magnet, course, newsletter].

For each, include product fit, internal link targets, and a soft CTA that adds value, not pressure.

Identify 10 evergreen posts about [topic] that are likely outdated.

Suggest refreshed angles, new subheads, current stats to cite, and schema opportunities.

Include an estimated uplift reason for each idea.

2) Gather information & sources (reliable, fast)

Strong articles are built on strong research. This section gives you a fast, repeatable way to collect credible facts, quotes, and links so your piece is both trustworthy and findable in search.

What to collect

• Primary sources: standards, docs, original reports, official datasets, patents, transcripts.
• Current statistics (≤ 24 months): include methodology + sample size when relevant.
• Expert POVs: quotes from named people (role + company), plus a link to their work.
• Counterpoints: credible caveats or risks, avoid “all upside” articles.
• Search intent: real questions from SERP features (People Also Ask, Related, Autocomplete).
• Competitor gaps: angles others miss (outdated, shallow, no examples, missing how-to).

Research workflow (10–15 minute sprint)

1. Frame: define the user, job-to-be-done, and primary keyword + 2–3 supporting intents.
2. Mine SERP: scan top results for patterns, recency, and obvious gaps you can fill.
3. Collect sources: save original links (not rewrites) for stats, quotes, definitions.
4. Validate: check author, date, bias, and whether a newer source exists.
5. Log: add each source to the research table (below) with a one-line “how we’ll use it.”

Prompt: search-aware research pack

Act as a senior SEO writer. Build a compact research pack for an article on [topic] for [audience]. Focus on accuracy, recency (≤ 24 months where possible), and search intent coverage.

Output sections (use headings and bullets):
1) Primary question & search intent
   - Primary keyword: [primary_keyword]
   - 3–5 supporting intents (H2 candidates)
   - People-also-ask questions (clustered)

2) Definitions & core concepts
   - Authoritative definitions (cite original sources)
   - Short glossary if helpful

3) Credible sources (link + 1-line use note)
   - Stats (methodology + year)
   - Expert quotes (name, role, company)
   - Frameworks / standards / checklists
   - Case studies with outcomes

4) Opposing views & risks
   - Real drawbacks, failure modes, or tradeoffs
   - What not to do

5) Competitor gap notes
   - What top pages miss (outdated, no examples, no steps, no metrics, no schema)

6) Internal link targets (site architecture)
   - 5–8 candidate pages to link to (slug + anchor idea)

7) Draft title & meta
   - 3 headlines (≤ 65 chars), 1 meta description (≤ 155 chars)

Rules:
- Prefer primary sources and original studies.
- Include full URLs and publication dates.
- If a stat is older than 24 months, add a note: [older-but-authoritative].
- Keep it skimmable with bullets. No fluff.
  

Source log template (copy/paste)

| Type     | Source/URL                                          | Date     | Why it’s useful / how we’ll use it                  |
|----------|------------------------------------------------------|----------|-----------------------------------------------------|
| Stat     | https://…                                            | 2025-03  | Recent benchmark; supports H2 “Benefits & KPIs”    |
| Quote    | “…” — Name, Role (Company) — https://…               | 2024-11  | Expert POV; adds credibility to H3 “Risks”          |
| Standard | ISO/… or Official Doc — https://…                    | 2023-09  | Primary definition; canonical terminology           |
| Case     | Company X case study — https://…                     | 2024-05  | Outcome metric + stack; example for “How it works”  |
  

Quick variants

For [topic], extract:

- 5–8 People-also-ask questions (dedupe & cluster)
- 6–10 related queries (long-tails)
- 3 content gaps in top pages

Return as: H2/H3 ideas + “what to add” notes.

Draft 5 brief questions for a subject-matter expert on [topic].

Aim for specifics: failures, tradeoffs, metrics, tool choices, and 1 actionable tip.

List 8–12 current stats for [topic]. Each item:

- Metric + value
- Source (original link) + date
- 1-line context or caveat

Sort by relevance to [audience] pain points.

Analyze the top 5 pages for [primary_keyword].

Return: 6 gaps (e.g., no step-by-step, stale stats, no examples, no tooling, no risks, no schema).

Add 1 sentence each on how our article will fill the gap.

Quality checks before you write

• Recency: key stats & examples are dated and still valid.
• Primary sources: you link to the original report, not a blog quoting it.
• Balance: at least one risk or limitation is included (with mitigation).
• Originality: 1–2 quotes, a mini-case, or a diagram idea, something unique.
• Search intent: your H2s map to real questions; no orphan sections.

3) Create a detailed outline (that ranks and reads well)

Outlines keep you honest: clear flow, no bloating, and easy SEO wins. Use this prompt to generate a skim-friendly, search-aware outline with headings, bullets, data notes, and internal link targets.

Act as an experienced SEO copywriter. Create a comprehensive, engaging outline for an article about [topic] for [audience] in [country/market].

Requirements:
- Headline: 1 H1 that includes the primary keyword [primary_keyword] and a benefit.
- Intro: 80–120 words. Hook + promise + who/why + preview of sections. Include a 1-sentence "short answer".
- Body: 6–9 sections (H2) with logical flow. Each H2 includes a secondary keyword or intent phrase. Under each H2, add 2–4 H3s (or bullets) that cover sub-topics and FAQs.
- Depth: Map each H2 to a brief note: key points, examples, data to cite (source + year), and a suggested word count range.
- SERP match: Add "Snippet target" under the best section (definition, steps, pros/cons, or comparison) as a 40–55 word paragraph or a 6–8 step list.
- Entities: List important entities/terms to naturally include (people, tools, frameworks, standards).
- PAA: Include 4–6 People-Also-Ask questions as H3s in relevant sections.
- Internal links: Suggest 5–8 internal link targets (exact slug or anchor idea) and the section where they fit. Add 2 external authority citations.
- Conversion: Add 2 soft CTAs that align with [goal: newsletter, demo, template download].
- Accessibility: Keep sentences short; use bullets; avoid walls of text.

Output format:
- Title (H1)
- Intro (2–3 sentences + short answer)
- H2 sections with brief notes, H3s, bullets, snippet target, entities, and sources
- Internal link map
- CTA placements
- Optional schema suggestionsCopy

Why this works

• Search intent → outline structure: mapping H2/H3s to intents keeps you aligned with how readers (and Google) scan.
• Entities + data notes: pushes factual depth and E-E-A-T without bloating prose.
• Snippet targets: you pre-write the section most likely to capture a featured snippet.

Pro tips (apply after you get the outline)

• Cap H2 count to 9 max; combine thin sections.
• Set word-count bands (e.g., 180–250 per H3) to keep pacing tight.
• Use a definition box or steps list early, these win snippets.
• Add an FAQ mini-section near the end if People-Also-Ask items don’t fit elsewhere.
• Generate an FAQPage block (3–5 Q&A) and Article schema; cite 2 fresh sources.

Quick variants

Audit the top 10 results for [primary_keyword].

- List common H2s/H3s across winners.
- Note gaps: missing formats, outdated stats, weak examples.
- Build an outline that keeps the common spine, fills the gaps, and adds one unique asset (calculator, template, checklist).
- Mark 1 section as "Snippet target" and 1 as "Link magnet".Copy

For [topic], list 5–7 reader jobs (e.g., "evaluate options", "get buy-in").

- Map each job to an H2.
- Under each, add H3s: pains, success criteria, quick win, example.
- Include a decision checklist and a 30-second summary per section.Copy

Create an outline with:

- H2s ≤ 6 words; start with verbs.
- Every H2 has a 1-sentence TL;DR.
- Bullets over paragraphs where possible.
- A "Before you start" and a "What to do next" section.Copy

Add sections for: methodology, source list (with dates), author experience note, limitations/risks, and counter-arguments.

Flag 3 spots to add charts or mini-case studies. Cite 2 standards or frameworks relevant to [topic].Copy

4) Write the full article (clean, credible, on-brief)

This step turns your outline into a readable draft without losing accuracy or voice. The trick: write for people first, then layer SEO signals you can stand behind (keywords, links, snippet blocks), not the other way around.

Before you start

• Inputs: final outline, research pack (sources w/ dates), audience & goal, target keywords.
• Voice: confident, precise, helpful. Prefer examples & steps over adjectives.
• Evidence: use primary sources; if a fact is missing, note [RESEARCH_NEEDED: …] instead of guessing.

Copy this prompt

Act as an experienced SEO copywriter. Write a publication-ready article on [topic] for [audience] using the provided [outline].
Target length: [word_count] words (±10%). Return the article in Markdown.

Requirements:
- Follow the outline structure: H1, intro (80–120 words), H2/H3 sections, and any snippet/FAQ blocks indicated.
- Write short sentences and clear paragraphs; prefer bullets and numbered steps where useful.
- Integrate keywords naturally; do not force phrasing or repeat unnaturally.
- Cite evidence inline with a link on first mention (original source, not a rewrite). Include year if a stat is used.
- Use examples, tiny case notes, or mini-steps to ground claims.
- Add 2–4 internal link suggestions: use [INTERNAL: /slug | anchor text].
- Add 1–2 external authority links where they add trust.
- If information is missing, insert [RESEARCH_NEEDED: question] instead of inventing.
- Accessibility: avoid walls of text; no jargon without a short definition.
- End with a soft CTA matched to the page goal (newsletter, template, demo, guide).

After the article, output:
1) SEO: Meta title (≤ 60 chars) and meta description (≤ 155 chars).
2) Excerpt: 22–30 word summary for cards.
3) Image ideas: 2 suggestions (alt text + simple description).
4) Schema hints: Article type + possible FAQPage if applicable.

Tone: specific, practical, trustworthy. No hype.

Why this works

• Evidence-first: it forces citations and date checks, which raises trust and snippet eligibility.
• Structure → clarity: adhering to the outline reduces meandering and keeps search intent aligned.
• Ship-ready extras: meta, excerpt, internal links, and schema hints remove publish friction.

Quick variants

Rewrite the draft to 800–900 words. Keep H2s/H3s, compress examples, remove filler.

Ensure every paragraph has 1 clear point; convert lists to bullets where possible.

Refactor the article around an actionable sequence:

- Add a numbered "Do this next" section with 5–8 steps.
- For each step: goal, tools, pitfalls, and a 30-sec checklist.

Add an expert POV box in 2 places:

- What most guides get wrong about [topic].
- Our stance in 2–3 sentences, with 1 data point and 1 example.

Adapt the draft for [country/market]:

- Replace terms with local equivalents.
- Map any legal/compliance differences with links.
- Update stats with a local source (≤ 24 months).

Self-edit pass (10 minutes)

• Cut 15%: remove throat-clearing lines and repeated points.
• Verify every stat/date: link to the original source; add year on first mention.
• Clarity sweep: replace vague phrases with specifics; swap adjectives for examples.
• Intent audit: each H2/H3 answers a real reader question; no orphan sections.
• Link audit: add 2–4 internal links that help the next step; keep anchors descriptive.

Optional: editing prompt

Act as a careful editor. Improve the draft by:

- Removing filler and redundancies; target −10–15% length.
- Rewriting any vague claims with concrete examples or numbers.
- Splitting long sentences; max ~22–24 words.
- Converting dense paragraphs into bullets when scanning helps.

Return a diff-friendly version with changed lines only.

Publish checklist

• Meta title/description supplied and within limits.
• First image has descriptive alt text; captions where useful.
• At least 2 internal links and 1 authority citation added.
• One snippet-target block present (definition, steps, or comparison).
• CTA matches page goal and appears once near the end.

5) Edit for clarity & coherence (the 10–15 minute fix)

Good drafts die from bloat, ambiguity, and uneven flow. This pass makes your article easy to read and easy to trust, without changing the author’s voice. You’ll tighten sentences, align sections to search intent, and polish headlines so people (and Google) know exactly what they’ll get.

What this pass fixes

• Redundancy: remove repeated ideas and throat-clearing intros.
• Flow: re-order paragraphs so each section answers one question cleanly.
• Plain language: swap jargon for specific, short sentences.
• Headlines: scannable H2/H3s with verbs and clear promises.
• Search intent: keywords integrated naturally; no awkward stuffing.
• Links: 2–4 useful internal links, 1–2 authority citations (original sources).

Copy this prompt

Act as a precise editor. Edit the following [article] for clarity, coherence, and search intent alignment, keep the author’s voice.

Instructions:
- Tighten: remove filler and repeated points; keep one idea per paragraph.
- Flow: ensure each H2/H3 answers a single reader question; reorder or merge paragraphs if needed.
- Plain language: shorten long sentences (> 24 words), replace vague claims with specifics or examples.
- Headlines: rewrite H2/H3s to be action-led and descriptive; include a natural keyword where it fits.
- Evidence: flag uncited claims with [CITE]; keep stats with year + link to the original source.
- Links: suggest [INTERNAL: /slug | anchor] where helpful; add 1–2 external authority links.
- Styling: convert dense lists to bullets; add subheads if a section exceeds ~200–250 words.
- Return only the edited article in Markdown, then a changelog of the main edits (bulleted).

Why this works

• Reader-first structure: “one question per section” prevents meandering and improves snippet eligibility.
• Evidence discipline: the [CITE] flag raises trust and simplifies fact checks.
• Scanability: verb-led headings and bullets lift time-on-page on mobile.

Quick variants

Rewrite all H2/H3s with: verb first, ≤ 6–8 words, promise + keyword (natural).
Return a table: Old | New | Rationale.

Reduce length by 10–15% without losing facts.
Delete redundancy, merge overlapping paragraphs, shorten sentences > 24 words.

Map each H2 to a search intent (informational, how-to, comparison).
Add or move content so each section fully answers its intent.

Suggest 3–5 internal links with descriptive anchors and the destination slug.
Add 1–2 authority citations (original studies/standards) and where they belong.

10-minute checklist

• Every section has 1 purpose and ends with a clear takeaway.
• Sentences average ≤ 18–20 words; long ones are split or simplified.
• Jargon translated: any necessary term has a short definition the first time it appears.
• Headlines are promise-driven and include the natural keyword once.
• Stats include year + source (original link). Uncited claims are flagged.
• Links help the journey: at least 2 internal, 1 authority external.

Optional micro-prompts

Rewrite the highlighted paragraph in plain language for a smart non-expert. Keep key terms, add 1 concrete example, and cap sentences at 20 words.

Reorder these paragraphs to create a logical progression:

1) problem, 2) why it matters, 3) solution steps, 4) example. Return the new order + 1 sentence rationale.

6) Improve sentence structure & word choice

Great articles read like a guided conversation: active, specific, and easy to scan. This pass tightens phrasing, swaps vague verbs for concrete ones, and reshapes long sentences so your ideas land on the first read, without changing the author’s voice.

Copy this prompt

Act as a line editor. Rewrite the following [piece of text] for sentence structure and word choice. Keep the author’s intent; improve clarity, rhythm, and search intent alignment.

Do:
- Use active voice and concrete verbs (avoid “is/are/has/have” when a stronger verb fits).
- Break long sentences (> 22–24 words) into one clear idea each.
- Replace filler and hedges (very, really, basically, actually, in order to).
- Prefer specific nouns over abstractions; show with one precise detail if helpful.
- Integrate 1–2 relevant keywords naturally (no stuffing, no parentheses).
- Suggest H2/H3 options that are verb-led, ≤ 6–8 words, and promise a result.

Return:
1) Edited text in Markdown.
2) A table with: Original snippet | Revised | Reason (verb swap, split, clarify, keyword).

Why this works

• Active voice + concrete verbs reduce cognitive load and lift comprehension, especially on mobile.
• Short, single-idea sentences increase dwell time and snippet eligibility.
• Keyword placement inside natural phrasing helps rankings without harming tone.

Quick variants

Convert passive sentences to active unless the actor is unknown or irrelevant.

Return before/after pairs with the identified subject.

Replace weak verbs (is/are/has/make/do/get/use) with stronger choices.

Return a list: Weak | Stronger | Reason.

Find sentences > 24 words. Split into 2–3 lines, each with one idea and a clear subject.

Propose 6–8 verb-led H2/H3 candidates that align to search intent.

Format: Old | New | Target intent | Keyword.

Mini style guide (use while editing)

• Lead with the subject: “Users export data” beats “Data can be exported by users.”
• Prefer short words: use “use” over “utilize,” “start” over “commence.”
• Cut scaffolding: remove “in order to,” “it should be noted that,” “really/very.”
• Name things: replace “the tool” with “the Zapier step,” “the API call,” etc.
• Front-load value: first clause states outcome; details follow.
• One job per paragraph: topic sentence, support, done.

Optional micro-prompts

Reduce the following paragraph by ~20% without losing meaning. Remove hedges and repeated ideas; keep one example.

Integrate the keyword “[primary_keyword]” once in this paragraph so it reads naturally. Do not add brackets or parentheses; keep tone and length.

7) Suggest where to add images (that help, not clutter)

Smart visuals do three jobs: explain faster than text, reset reader attention, and earn snippet-friendly real estate. This pass identifies where an image will clarify or persuade and what type of visual will work best for the section.

Copy this prompt

Act as a content designer. Review the [article] and propose a visual plan that improves comprehension and engagement.

Return a table with columns:
- Section (H2/H3)
- Purpose of the visual (explain, compare, step, proof, emotion, CTA-support)
- Recommended type (diagram, flow, numbered steps, UI screenshot, chart, before/after, photo, GIF)
- Short creative brief (what it must show; labels; key numbers)
- Alt text (≤ 120 chars, plain language, includes target entity/keyword once)
- File name (kebab-case, keyword-first)
- Aspect ratio (e.g., 16:9, 4:3, square) and size hint (e.g., 1200×675)
- Source/attribution needs (if any)

Rules:
- Place a visual after ~400–600 words or when a concept would take >2 sentences to explain.
- Favor diagrams for flows, charts for claims, UI screenshots for how-to, photos for human context.
- Avoid decorative stock. Every image must earn its place with a “why”.
- Use consistent style: simple labels, high contrast, no tiny text.
- SEO: alt text is descriptive, not stuffed; file names keyword-first; include width/height in HTML; lazy-load.
- Accessibility: meaningful captions when the image carries a claim or number.

Why this works

• Purpose-first visuals stop filler images and keep the page light and fast.
• Briefs + ratios make production predictable for designers or for quick DIY screenshots.
• Search-aware alt text boosts image search and supports the main query without stuffing.

Quick variants

From the [steps] in H2 “[title]”, propose a left-to-right flow with 4–7 nodes.

Return node labels, connectors, and 1 caption sentence.

Identify one numeric claim in this section. Suggest a small bar/line chart:

metric, axis labels, units, and the key number to highlight. Include source + year.

For the how-to steps, list 3 must-have screenshots.

For each: page path, UI element to highlight, and a 1-line alt text.

Suggest one before/after visual with two panels.

Define what changes, the metric label, and the caption that states the delta.

Markup & SEO snippets you can reuse

<figure>
  <img src="/images/[keyword]-flow-1200x675.png"
       width="1200" height="675"
       alt="Workflow for [keyword]: capture → enrich → review → export">
  <figcaption>Workflow overview: four steps from capture to export. Keep labels short for scanability.</figcaption>
</figure>

- Diagram: "Data enrichment workflow: capture, dedupe, validate, export"
- Screenshot: "Zapier step: Formatter > Utilities > Line-item to text mapping"
- Chart: "Response time dropped from 1.8s to 1.1s after caching (2025)"

Production checklist

• Consistent style: same font, stroke, corner radius, and palette as the post.
• Readable labels: min 14–16px at published size; high contrast.
• Performance: export to WebP/AVIF; keep under ~150–250 KB; use srcset for 2× screens.
• Accessibility: descriptive alt text; captions for charts and non-obvious UI.
• Attribution: credit sources on charts; link the original dataset.

Final thoughts

Writing that earns attention isn’t luck, it’s a system. The prompts in this guide are the rails: they help you research with receipts, structure for scanability, draft with intent, and edit for clarity. Used well, ChatGPT becomes an accelerant, not a substitute for your judgment or experience.

Ship with standards: cite primary sources, show your work, and add something only you can add (a test, a dataset, a screenshot, a failure). That’s how you rank and, more importantly, how you keep readers coming back.

• Be specific: replace abstractions with examples, numbers, and screenshots.
• Be recent: prefer sources ≤ 24 months old, or note why older is authoritative.
• Be useful: headings answer questions, bullets beat walls of text, CTAs are earned.

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About Denis Website X LinkedIn

Denis is the editor-in-chief of YourAIPedia. He reviews AI tools, writes prompt playbooks, and tests automation workflows hands-on, so every guide is based on real setups.. His goal is simple: to help you get measurable results with AI without wasting hours on guesswork.