My Semantic SEO Process

Semantic SEO Expert

I build entity-based topical maps using the EAV model and Koray’s framework, covering the full funnel with strategic internal linking.

My Semantic SEO Process

Every project follows the same six-step framework. Each step feeds the next, so nothing on your website is published without a reason or a place in the bigger structure.

Find the central entity – identify the core entity and the source context of your business.
Build an EAV-based topical map – break the entity into attributes and values, then turn them into topics.
Structure it with Koray’s framework – split the map into core and outer sections with a clear contextual hierarchy.
Map the full SEO funnel – assign every topic to TOFU, MOFU or BOFU intent.
Publish with planned frequency – release content in a rhythm that builds topical momentum.
Connect it with strategic internal linking – pass relevance and link equity to the pages that matter most.

Step 1: Finding the Central Entity and Source Context

Every strong topical map starts with one question: what is this website really about? I identify the central entity, the main “thing” your business revolves around, and the source context, which is how your business earns from that entity.

For example, two websites can share the central entity “coffee”. One sells espresso machines, the other teaches home brewing. Their source context is different, so their topical maps, page priorities and search intents must be different too.

At this stage I define:

Central entity – the core topic every page connects back to
Source context – the commercial angle that shapes what the site should rank for
Central search intent – the main need users have when they search around that entity
Competitor entity gaps – the attributes and sub-topics competitors miss or cover weakly

Step 2: Building an EAV-Based Topical Map

Once the central entity is clear, I break it down with the Entity–Attribute–Value (EAV) model. This is the same way search engines store facts in their knowledge graphs, so content built on it matches how they understand a topic.

Entity – the thing being described
Attribute – a property or characteristic of that entity
Value – the specific data for that attribute

Entity	Attribute	Value
Espresso machine	Type	Manual, semi-automatic, super-automatic
Espresso machine	Pressure	9 to 15 bar
Espresso machine	Boiler	Single, dual, heat exchanger
Espresso machine	Maintenance	Descaling, backflushing, gasket replacement

Each attribute becomes a topic or a section, and each value becomes the facts that page must answer. I prioritize attributes in three layers:

Root attributes – define the entity itself; every competitor covers them
Rare attributes – specific details few competitors cover, which create information gain
Unique attributes – details only your business can speak about with authority

The result is a topical map where no important attribute is missing and every page has a clear job.

Step 3: Structuring the Map with Koray's Framework

I structure every topical map using Koray Tuğberk GÜBÜR’s holistic SEO framework. It turns a long list of topics into an organized semantic network that search engines can crawl, understand and trust.

Core section – pages tied directly to your source context and revenue, such as services, products and comparisons
Outer section – supporting pages that cover the wider context of the entity and build authority for the core section
Contextual hierarchy – a clear parent–child order, so broad topics sit above specific ones
Contextual borders – each page stays focused on one macro context, with no overlap or cannibalization
Contextual bridges – planned connections between related topics so meaning flows across the site
Macro and micro contexts – one main purpose per page, with supporting sub-sections that answer related questions
Query semantics – headings and answers written to match how users phrase their questions

Step 4: Mapping the Full SEO Funnel

A topical map only drives revenue when it covers the whole buyer journey. I assign every topic to a funnel stage, so the site attracts visitors, educates them and converts them, all inside one connected structure.

Funnel stage	Search intent	Page types	Example topic
TOFU (Top of Funnel)	Informational: learning and discovering	Guides, definitions, “what is” and “how to” articles	What is a semi-automatic espresso machine?
MOFU (Middle of Funnel)	Commercial investigation: comparing options	Comparisons, best-of lists, buying guides, reviews	Semi-automatic vs super-automatic espresso machines
BOFU (Bottom of Funnel)	Transactional: ready to act	Service pages, product and category pages, pricing	Buy a dual boiler espresso machine

TOFU pages build authority and reach. MOFU pages build trust. BOFU pages convert. Internal links guide users and crawlers from the top of the funnel down to the pages that earn money.

Step 5: Publishing with Planned Frequency and Topical Momentum

Topical authority is not built by publishing once and waiting. Search engines watch how consistently a website expands and maintains its coverage of a topic. I plan a publishing rhythm that creates topical momentum.

Planned order – core pages and their closest supporting pages go live first, so the main structure is complete early
Steady frequency – new content is released in a consistent rhythm, signaling an active, specialized source
Cluster completion – one sub-topic is fully covered before moving to the next, so each cluster gains authority on its own
Content refresh – existing pages are updated with new attributes and facts to keep historical data positive

This rhythm tells search engines your website is specializing in the topic, not just touching it.

Step 6: Strategic Internal Linking

Internal links are what turn separate pages into one topical map. I plan every link based on the map’s contextual hierarchy, so relevance and link equity flow to the right pages.

Outer to core – supporting articles link up to the core pages they support, passing authority toward revenue pages
Parent to child – broad pages link down to their specific sub-topics, helping crawlers discover depth
Sibling links – closely related pages connect through contextual bridges, not random “related posts”
Descriptive anchor text – anchors name the entity or attribute of the target page, giving search engines a clear signal
Link placement – the most important links sit in the main content, close to the relevant context
No orphan pages – every page in the map is reachable and connected

The outcome is a site where every page supports another, and the whole topic cluster ranks together.

More Semantic SEO Tactics I Apply

Semantic content briefs – every writer gets the entity, attributes, questions, heading order and internal links for the page
Information gain – content adds facts, data and angles competitors don’t have
Structured data – schema markup that tells search engines exactly which entities a page is about
Entity consistency – the same names, definitions and facts across the whole website
Cannibalization control – one page per search intent, with clear borders between topics
E-E-A-T signals – author entities, sources and real experience built into the content

Tools I Use

The right tools turn a topical map from a theory into measurable results. I use each one for a specific job in the semantic SEO process.

Tool	How I use it
Semrush	Keyword and topic research, competitor gap analysis, site audits and position tracking
Ahrefs	Backlink analysis, content gap discovery and finding the pages that drive competitors’ traffic
Google Search Console (GSC)	Query and page performance, indexing checks, cannibalization detection and finding new sub-topics from real impressions
Google Analytics 4 (GA4)	User behavior, engagement and conversions across TOFU, MOFU and BOFU pages
Google Tag Manager (GTM)	Event and conversion tracking without code changes, such as CTA clicks, form submits and scroll depth
Google Keyword Planner	Search volume and commercial value for BOFU and MOFU topics
Ubersuggest	Quick keyword ideas, question-based queries and content suggestions
Claude	Entity and attribute extraction, EAV mapping, topical map structuring and semantic content briefs
Screaming Frog	Technical crawls, internal link audits and finding orphan pages
Google NLP API	Checking which entities Google detects on a page and how salient they are
Schema Markup Validator & Rich Results Test	Validating structured data before and after publishing
Google Sheets	Building and managing the topical map, publishing plan and internal linking blueprint

What You Get

Semantic content briefs – every writer gets the entity, attributes, questions, heading order and internal links for the page
Information gain – content adds facts, data and angles competitors don’t have
Structured data – schema markup that tells search engines exactly which entities a page is about
Entity consistency – the same names, definitions and facts across the whole website
Cannibalization control – one page per search intent, with clear borders between topics
E-E-A-T signals – author entities, sources and real experience built into the content

Deliverable	What it includes
Entity and source context analysis	Central entity, source context, central search intent, competitor gaps
EAV-based topical map	All topics, organized into core and outer sections with a clear hierarchy
Funnel mapping	Every topic labeled TOFU, MOFU or BOFU with its search intent
Publishing plan	Content order and frequency for building topical momentum
Internal linking blueprint	Source page, target page and anchor text for every planned link
Semantic content briefs	Ready-to-write briefs for each page in the map

Ready to Become the Authority in Your Niche?

Let’s map your central entity, find the gaps your competitors miss and build a topical map that grows your rankings topic by topic.