332 lines
10 KiB
Markdown
332 lines
10 KiB
Markdown
# Documentation SEO Analysis — January 2, 2026
|
|
|
|
**Objective:** Identify SEO opportunities for Banatie's technical documentation (10 pages at `/docs/`) without major content changes.
|
|
|
|
**Budget Used:** ~$0.25 (3 DataForSEO queries)
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Executive Summary
|
|
|
|
### Key Findings
|
|
|
|
1. **MCP Integration is Table Stakes** — Both Replicate and fal.ai now have official MCP servers. This validates our MCP strategy but also means we must ship and document it to stay competitive.
|
|
|
|
2. **Placeholder Niche is Wide Open** — SERP for "placeholder image url" (390 volume, KD 21) is dominated by basic random-photo services. None offer AI-generated placeholders. Banatie's Live URLs feature can capture this market.
|
|
|
|
3. **"Image Generation API" SERP Has No Direct Competitors** — Top 10 dominated by OpenAI, Google, Leonardo. Neither Replicate, fal.ai, nor Runware appear. Opportunity exists for a focused API landing/docs page.
|
|
|
|
4. **Documentation Structure Gap** — Competitors have model playgrounds, interactive examples, and SDK quickstarts prominently featured. We should highlight these in navigation.
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Task 1: Keyword Research (Complete)
|
|
|
|
### Primary Keywords — Image Generation API
|
|
|
|
| Keyword | Volume | KD | Intent | Opportunity |
|
|
|---------|--------|-----|--------|-------------|
|
|
| image generation api | 210 | 31 | Commercial | **TARGET** — exact match, reasonable KD |
|
|
| ai image generator api | 90 | 19 | Commercial | **TARGET** — low KD, transactional |
|
|
| openai image generation api | 480 | 20 | Navigational | Comparison angle |
|
|
| gpt-image-1 api | 210 | 20 | Navigational | Specific model search |
|
|
| chatgpt 4o image generation api | 50 | 10 | Navigational | Very low KD |
|
|
|
|
### Placeholder/Live URL Keywords (Niche Opportunity)
|
|
|
|
| Keyword | Volume | KD | Opportunity |
|
|
|---------|--------|-----|-------------|
|
|
| placeholder image url | 390 | 21 | **EXCELLENT** — exact match to Live URLs |
|
|
| placeholder image generator | 480 | 32 | **GOOD** — matches use case |
|
|
| lorem picsum | 880 | 15 | **EXCELLENT** — competitor brand, beatable |
|
|
| random image url | 320 | 24 | **GOOD** — developer testing |
|
|
| placeholder image api | 90 | 23 | **GOOD** — exact product match |
|
|
|
|
### Related Searches (from SERP)
|
|
|
|
- "Image generation api python" → add Python SDK examples
|
|
- "Image generation API pricing" → pricing transparency
|
|
- "Placeholder image url generator" → Live URLs positioning
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Task 2: Competitor Documentation Analysis (Complete)
|
|
|
|
### Replicate
|
|
|
|
**URL:** replicate.com/docs
|
|
|
|
**Structure:**
|
|
- Getting Started / How it Works
|
|
- HTTP API Reference (detailed endpoints)
|
|
- SDKs (Python, JavaScript, Go, Swift)
|
|
- Explore (model browser)
|
|
- Collections (curated model groups)
|
|
- **MCP Server** ← NEW, official integration
|
|
|
|
**Strengths:**
|
|
- Interactive model pages with live testing
|
|
- Multiple SDK support with examples
|
|
- Strong API reference with cURL examples
|
|
- Migration guides from other platforms
|
|
|
|
**Weaknesses:**
|
|
- Generic platform (not image-specific)
|
|
- Complex pricing varies by model
|
|
- No built-in delivery/CDN
|
|
|
|
### fal.ai
|
|
|
|
**URL:** docs.fal.ai
|
|
|
|
**Structure:**
|
|
- Model APIs (core documentation)
|
|
- Quickstart
|
|
- Client Libraries (JS, Python)
|
|
- Model Endpoints / Queue API
|
|
- Guides (text-to-image, video, etc.)
|
|
- **MCP Integration** ← documented for Cursor
|
|
- Platform APIs (model management)
|
|
- Examples & Tutorials
|
|
- Model Playgrounds (interactive)
|
|
|
|
**Strengths:**
|
|
- MCP integration documented for Cursor/Claude
|
|
- Model playgrounds prominent
|
|
- Clear separation: Model APIs vs Platform APIs
|
|
- OpenAPI schema published
|
|
|
|
**Weaknesses:**
|
|
- Dense documentation
|
|
- Less beginner-friendly than Replicate
|
|
|
|
### Runware
|
|
|
|
**URL:** docs.runware.ai
|
|
|
|
**Structure:**
|
|
- Getting Started / Introduction
|
|
- API References by type:
|
|
- Image Inference
|
|
- Video Inference
|
|
- Audio Inference
|
|
- Utilities (Model Search)
|
|
- Tools (Caption API)
|
|
- Model Providers (OpenAI, etc.)
|
|
|
|
**Strengths:**
|
|
- Task-based architecture (clear pattern)
|
|
- Multi-modal coverage
|
|
- Aggressive pricing ($0.0006/image)
|
|
|
|
**Weaknesses:**
|
|
- No visible MCP integration
|
|
- Less polished documentation
|
|
- No model playground
|
|
|
|
### Competitive Matrix
|
|
|
|
| Feature | Replicate | fal.ai | Runware | **Banatie** |
|
|
|---------|-----------|--------|---------|-------------|
|
|
| MCP Server | ✅ Official | ✅ Official | ❌ No | 🔜 Planned |
|
|
| Playground | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
|
|
| Python SDK | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
|
|
| JS SDK | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
|
|
| OpenAPI Spec | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❓ Unknown | ❌ No |
|
|
| Live URL Gen | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ **Unique** |
|
|
| Built-in CDN | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ **Unique** |
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Task 3: SERP Analysis (Complete)
|
|
|
|
### "image generation api" — Top 10
|
|
|
|
| Position | Domain | Type |
|
|
|----------|--------|------|
|
|
| 1 | platform.openai.com | Documentation |
|
|
| 2 | ai.google.dev | Documentation |
|
|
| 3 | leonardo.ai | Landing page |
|
|
| 4 | reddit.com | Discussion |
|
|
| 5 | docs.cloud.google.com | Documentation |
|
|
| 6 | thehive.ai | Landing page |
|
|
| 7 | developer.puter.com | Tutorial |
|
|
| 8 | openrouter.ai | Documentation |
|
|
| 9 | edenai.co | Landing page |
|
|
| 10 | (Images carousel) | — |
|
|
|
|
**Insight:** Mix of documentation and landing pages. No direct competitors in top 10. Reddit at position 4 shows community engagement potential.
|
|
|
|
### "placeholder image url" — Top 10
|
|
|
|
| Position | Domain | Description |
|
|
|----------|--------|-------------|
|
|
| 1 | placehold.co | Simple placeholder service |
|
|
| 2 | picsum.photos | Lorem Picsum (random photos) |
|
|
| 3 | reddit.com | r/webdev discussion |
|
|
| 4 | placehold.net | Another placeholder service |
|
|
| 5 | (Images carousel) | — |
|
|
| 6 | loremipsum.io | Article listing services |
|
|
| 7 | VS Code extension | — |
|
|
| 8 | placeholder.pics | URL-based placeholders |
|
|
| 9 | pagebee.io | Random images service |
|
|
| 10 | dev.me | Advanced placeholder API |
|
|
|
|
**Critical Insight:** ALL services return random stock photos. NONE offer AI-generated placeholders. This is a clear market gap.
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Recommendations
|
|
|
|
### 1. Live URLs → Placeholder Market (HIGH PRIORITY)
|
|
|
|
**Current state:** `/docs/live-urls/` exists but doesn't target placeholder keywords.
|
|
|
|
**Action:** Expand Live URLs page with new sections:
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
Current title: "Live URLs — Shareable Image Links"
|
|
|
|
Add sections:
|
|
- "Use as Placeholder Images"
|
|
Target: "placeholder image url", "placeholder image api"
|
|
|
|
- "Alternative to Lorem Picsum"
|
|
Target: "lorem picsum", competitor comparison
|
|
|
|
- "Dynamic Testing Images"
|
|
Target: "random image url", "free image url for testing"
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
**Traffic potential:** 1,500+ monthly searches from placeholder niche
|
|
|
|
### 2. MCP Documentation Page (HIGH PRIORITY — pending feature)
|
|
|
|
**Why:** Both Replicate and fal.ai have MCP docs. Developers expect this.
|
|
|
|
**Action:** When MCP server ships, create `/docs/mcp/` with:
|
|
- Cursor integration guide
|
|
- Claude Desktop setup
|
|
- Claude Code integration
|
|
- Example workflows
|
|
|
|
**Target keywords:** "image generation mcp", "ai image mcp server"
|
|
|
|
### 3. Comparison Content (MEDIUM PRIORITY)
|
|
|
|
**Option A:** Dedicated comparison page `/docs/vs-openai/`
|
|
**Option B:** Blog post "Banatie vs OpenAI Image API"
|
|
|
|
**Target keywords:**
|
|
- "openai image generation api" (480 volume, KD 20)
|
|
- "openai api pricing" (12K volume, comparison angle)
|
|
|
|
**Content:** Feature comparison table, pricing comparison, code examples side-by-side.
|
|
|
|
### 4. Python/SDK Examples (MEDIUM PRIORITY)
|
|
|
|
**Why:** "image generation api python" appears in related searches and competitors have SDK docs.
|
|
|
|
**Action:** Add Python snippets to Getting Started page, consider future SDK.
|
|
|
|
### 5. Interactive Playground (LOW PRIORITY — significant effort)
|
|
|
|
**Why:** All major competitors have playgrounds. Developers expect to test before integrating.
|
|
|
|
**Action:** Consider for roadmap, not documentation-only change.
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Content Ideas Generated
|
|
|
|
### For 0-inbox/
|
|
|
|
1. **placeholder-ai-images.md** — "AI-Powered Placeholder Images for Developers"
|
|
- Target: placeholder niche keywords
|
|
- Angle: Why AI placeholders beat random stock photos
|
|
|
|
2. **mcp-image-generation.md** — "Generate Images in Your IDE with MCP"
|
|
- Target: MCP + image generation intersection
|
|
- Timing: When MCP feature ships
|
|
|
|
3. **lorem-picsum-alternative.md** — "Lorem Picsum Alternative: AI Placeholders"
|
|
- Target: "lorem picsum" (880 volume, KD 15)
|
|
- Angle: Direct competitor comparison
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Research Tools Used
|
|
|
|
| Tool | Queries | Cost |
|
|
|------|---------|------|
|
|
| Brave Search | 5 queries | Free |
|
|
| Perplexity | 3 queries | Free |
|
|
| DataForSEO | 3 queries (~$0.08 each) | ~$0.25 |
|
|
|
|
**Total:** ~$0.25 / $0.50 budget
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Next Steps
|
|
|
|
1. [ ] Implement Live URLs page expansion (placeholder keywords)
|
|
2. [ ] Create content ideas in 0-inbox/
|
|
3. [ ] Ship MCP server → document immediately
|
|
4. [ ] Consider comparison page strategy
|
|
5. [ ] Track rankings for target keywords monthly
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Appendix: Full Keyword Data
|
|
|
|
### Image Generation API Keywords
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
image generation api | 210 | KD 31 | Commercial
|
|
ai image generator api | 90 | KD 19 | Commercial
|
|
openai image generation api | 480 | KD 20 | Navigational
|
|
gpt-image-1 api | 210 | KD 20 | Navigational
|
|
chatgpt 4o image generation api | 50 | KD 10 | Navigational
|
|
image generation api python | — | — | Informational
|
|
image generation api pricing | 10 | Low | Commercial
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
### Placeholder Keywords
|
|
|
|
```
|
|
placeholder image url | 390 | KD 21 | Informational
|
|
placeholder image generator | 480 | KD 32 | Informational
|
|
lorem picsum | 880 | KD 15 | Navigational (competitor)
|
|
random image url | 320 | KD 24 | Informational
|
|
placeholder image api | 90 | KD 23 | Commercial
|
|
image placeholder html | 320 | KD 33 | Informational
|
|
```
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
## Expanded Research: Placeholder Niche Deep Dive
|
|
|
|
**See:** `placeholder-niche-deep-dive-2026-01-02.md`
|
|
|
|
Follow-up research revealed the placeholder opportunity is **15x larger** than initially estimated:
|
|
|
|
| Original Estimate | Expanded Research |
|
|
|-------------------|-------------------|
|
|
| ~2,100 monthly searches | **31,000+ monthly searches** |
|
|
| 6 keywords identified | **40+ keywords identified** |
|
|
| KD range: 15-33 | **Multiple KD 0-5 keywords found** |
|
|
|
|
### Key Additions from Deep Dive
|
|
|
|
**Zero-Difficulty Keywords (KD 0-5):**
|
|
- image placeholder dark — 4,400 vol, KD 2
|
|
- app placeholder image — 1,900 vol, KD 2
|
|
- profile placeholder image — 720 vol, KD 0
|
|
- ios placeholder image — 590 vol, KD 0
|
|
- dummy photo image — 720 vol, KD 5
|
|
|
|
**Community Validation (Reddit):**
|
|
> "right now my instructions are to just do placeholder image in various sizes... I am wondering if there is an mcp that can create or fetch these images for Claude instead."
|
|
|
|
This quote from r/ClaudeAI directly validates our use case and MCP strategy.
|