242 lines
6.2 KiB
Markdown
242 lines
6.2 KiB
Markdown
# Research Tools Guide
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## Overview
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Three research tools available through MCP:
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| Tool | Best For | Cost |
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|------|----------|------|
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| **DataForSEO** | Structured SEO data (volumes, KD, SERP features) | Paid (~$0.50/session) |
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| **Brave Search** | Fast web search (news, Reddit, competitors) | Free |
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| **Perplexity** | AI synthesis ("what's known about X") | Free |
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**Strategy:** Use free tools liberally for discovery. Use DataForSEO strategically for validation.
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---
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## Tool Distribution by Agent
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| Agent | DataForSEO | Brave Search | Perplexity |
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|-------|------------|--------------|------------|
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| @spy | ✓ keywords, backlinks, LLM mentions | ✓ news, Reddit, HN | ✓ deep research |
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| @strategist | ✓ volumes, difficulty, intent | — | ✓ content landscape |
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| @seo | ✓ SERP, on-page, LLM responses | ✓ what ranks now | — |
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| @webmaster | — | ✓ competitor pages | ✓ messaging research |
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---
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## Brave Search
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### When to Use
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- Breaking news about competitors
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- Community discussions (Reddit, HN, Twitter)
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- What's currently ranking for a keyword
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- Competitor content examples
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### Query Patterns
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```
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"runware ai news" → competitor updates
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"site:reddit.com ai image api" → community pain points
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"site:dev.to placeholder images" → existing content
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"replicate.com pricing" → competitor pages
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```
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### Example Workflow (@spy)
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```
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1. brave_search: "runware ai" → recent news
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2. brave_search: "site:reddit.com mcp image generation" → community sentiment
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3. Synthesize findings into research/*.md
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```
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---
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## Perplexity
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### When to Use
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- Understanding what's already written about a topic
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- Getting synthesized overview of a domain
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- Deep research questions
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- Competitive positioning analysis
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### Query Patterns
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```
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"What tutorials exist about Next.js image optimization" → content landscape
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"How do AI image APIs position themselves to developers" → messaging analysis
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"What are developers saying about MCP servers" → sentiment synthesis
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"Comparison of placeholder image services" → competitive intel
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```
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### Example Workflow (@strategist)
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```
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1. perplexity: "What content exists about AI placeholder images" → landscape
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2. DataForSEO: keyword research for gaps → validate demand
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3. Decision: write or skip
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```
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### Example Workflow (@webmaster)
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```
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1. brave_search: "replicate.com pricing page" → see competitor pages
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2. perplexity: "How do AI APIs explain pricing to developers" → messaging patterns
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3. Create pages/*.md with informed positioning
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```
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---
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## DataForSEO
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### Budget Protocol
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- **Per session limit:** $0.50 (unless user explicitly approves more)
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- **Monthly budget:** ~$10
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- **Always report:** Show what API calls you're making and estimated cost
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### Core Principle
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Start with seeds → expand with related → filter by opportunity → verify with SERP.
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Don't chase high-volume competitive keywords. Find gaps where we can win.
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---
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### For @spy: Competitive Intelligence
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**Competitor Keywords**
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```
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Tool: dataforseo_labs_google_ranked_keywords
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Use: See what keywords competitors rank for
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Target: fal.ai, replicate.com, runware.ai, cloudinary.com
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```
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**Backlink Analysis**
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```
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Tool: backlinks_summary, backlinks_referring_domains
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Use: Where competitors get links, potential outreach targets
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```
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**Domain Intersection**
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```
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Tool: dataforseo_labs_google_domain_intersection
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Use: Find keywords multiple competitors rank for (validated demand)
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```
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**LLM Mentions (GEO)**
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```
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Tool: ai_optimization_llm_mentions_search
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Use: Check if Banatie or competitors mentioned in AI responses
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Platform: chat_gpt, google (AI Overview)
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```
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---
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### For @strategist: Keyword Research
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**Search Volume**
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```
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Tool: keywords_data_google_ads_search_volume
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Use: Get real monthly search volume for keyword list
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Input: Up to 1000 keywords per request
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```
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**Keyword Difficulty**
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```
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Tool: dataforseo_labs_bulk_keyword_difficulty
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Use: Score 0-100, lower = easier to rank
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Filter: KD < 50 for realistic targets
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```
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**Related Keywords**
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```
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Tool: dataforseo_labs_google_related_keywords
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Use: Expand seed keywords, find long-tail opportunities
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Depth: 1-4 (start with 1, go deeper if needed)
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```
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**Search Intent**
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```
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Tool: dataforseo_labs_search_intent
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Use: Classify keywords as informational/navigational/commercial/transactional
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Match: Content type should match intent
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```
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**AI Search Volume (GEO Priority)**
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```
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Tool: ai_optimization_keyword_data_search_volume
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Use: Keywords popular in AI search (ChatGPT, Perplexity)
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Why: Early indicator of emerging queries
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```
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**Research Workflow**
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1. Start with seeds (3-5 per topic)
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2. Get search volume for seeds
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3. Expand top 3 by volume with related keywords
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4. Filter: Volume > 50, KD < 50
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5. Check intent for finalists
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6. SERP analysis for top candidates
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---
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### For @seo: Optimization & Verification
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**SERP Analysis**
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```
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Tool: serp_organic_live_advanced
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Use: See current top 10 results, SERP features present
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Check: Featured snippets, PAA, video results
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```
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**On-Page Analysis**
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```
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Tool: on_page_instant_pages
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Use: Technical SEO check of specific URL
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After: Publishing, verify optimization
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```
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**LLM Responses (GEO)**
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```
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Tool: ai_optimization_llm_response
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Use: See how AI models answer our target queries
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Why: Optimize content for AI citations
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```
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---
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## Key Learnings
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**Problem-aware keywords often have zero volume.**
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People search for solutions, not problems. "placeholder images slow" = 0 volume. "generate images api" = real volume.
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**Related keywords > seed keywords.**
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Your initial guesses are rarely the best targets. Let data guide expansion.
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**Brand keywords are useless.**
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"cloudinary pricing" means they already chose Cloudinary. Target problem/solution queries.
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**Low KD + decent volume = opportunity.**
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Don't chase "ai image generation" (KD 80+). Find "generate images for nextjs" (KD 30, volume 200).
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---
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## Output Format
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When reporting research:
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```markdown
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## Research: [Topic]
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### Tools Used
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- Brave Search: [queries]
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- Perplexity: [queries]
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- DataForSEO: [tools, estimated cost]
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### Findings
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[What you discovered]
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### Keywords (if applicable)
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| Keyword | Volume | KD | Intent |
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|---------|--------|----|----|
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| ... | ... | ... | ... |
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### Recommendations
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[What to do next]
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```
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