# Research Documentation Index

**Last Updated:** December 26, 2025
**Purpose:** Navigation hub for all Banatie research materials
**Status:** 📝 Living document

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## 📋 Overview

This folder contains all passive research conducted to validate ICP hypotheses for Banatie.app. The research follows a structured methodology of exploring multiple directions, documenting findings with verifiable sources, and synthesizing insights into actionable strategic decisions.

**Research Structure:** Flat folder with descriptive filenames (no nested folders)
**Output Format:** Markdown files with strong signals, evidence links, and strategic analysis
**Current Phase:** Phase 1 completed (Directions 0, 1, 2, 6) → Interview preparation active + SEO research active

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## 🛠️ Methodology

**[passive-research-methodology.md](passive-research-methodology.md)** - Complete research guide (battle-tested)

**Purpose:** Reusable framework for conducting passive research before customer interviews
**Key Principles:**
- Observe real pain (Reddit/forums) before asking filtered questions
- Multiple search variations per topic (3-5) to avoid false negatives
- Document findings continuously with verifiable links
- Collaborative decision-making (Oleg + @men)

**When to use:** Before any new ICP validation or market exploration

---

## 🔍 SEO Keyword Research ⭐ NEW SECTION

### [seo-keyword-research-placeholder-images.md](seo-keyword-research-placeholder-images.md) ⭐ HIGH PRIORITY
**Type:** SEO Keyword Research (DataForSEO)
**Date:** December 26, 2025
**Status:** ✅ COMPLETED - Actionable findings

**Key Findings:**
- **Entry point:** "placeholder images" — 14,800 searches/mo, KD 32
- **GAP:** No AI-powered solutions in top-10 Google
- **Low-hanging fruit:** "placeholder images api" — KD 12, commercial intent
- **Content plan:** 5 articles with specific targets

**Action Items:**
1. 🥇 Create `/placeholder-images` landing page (target: 14,800/mo)
2. 🥇 Write "Placeholder Images API" tutorial (KD 12)
3. 🥈 Listicle "Best Placeholder Generators 2025"
4. 🥈 Tutorial "Image Placeholder in HTML/React"

**Strategic Insight:** Banatie can offer AI-generated placeholders vs competitors' gray rectangles. Qualitatively different product for same audience.

**See also:** [Discussion 2025-12-26](../discussions/2025-12-26-dataforseo-integration-keyword-research.md)

---

### SEO Research Methodology (DataForSEO)

**Tools:** DataForSEO API via MCP Server
**Cost:** ~$0.15-0.20 per research session
**Budget:** $0.50 max per session (continue on user request)

**Research Protocol:**
```
1. INPUT: 3-5 seed keywords per category
2. PROCESS:
   - Search volume for seeds
   - Related keywords for top-3 by volume
   - Filter: KD < 50, Volume > 50
   - SERP check for finalists
3. OUTPUT:
   - Keywords table with metrics
   - Content gap analysis
   - Recommendations
```

**Keyword Categories:**
- Entry points: placeholder images, mock images, dummy images
- Solutions: image generation api, generate images programmatically
- Use-cases: product images api, blog images api
- Tech stack: nextjs image generation, react generate images

---

## 📊 Research Direction Trackers

### [banatie-research-directions-tracker.md](banatie-research-directions-tracker.md)
**Main research planning document - Directions 0-10**

**Structure:** Each direction includes:
- Hypothesis to validate
- Key questions to answer
- Specific search topics (5-7 per direction)
- Findings section (filled during research)

**Directions Mapped:**
- ✅ Direction 0: Initial Exploration (COMPLETED)
- 📋 Direction 1: Prompt URLs + No-Code Generation
- ✅ Direction 2: AI Agent Ecosystem (COMPLETED - ⭐ STRONGEST)
- ⏳ Direction 3: Marketing Agencies Pain
- ⏳ Direction 4: E-commerce Product Variations
- ⏳ Direction 5: Technical Writers + Documentation
- ✅ Direction 6: Gemini 2.5 Flash Specific Demand (COMPLETED)
- ⏳ Direction 7: Indie Hackers + Side Projects
- ⏳ Direction 8: No-Code Builders (Webflow, Framer)
- ⏳ Direction 9: Content Creators + YouTubers
- ⏳ Direction 10: SaaS Founders (Marketing Pages)

### [banatie-research-directions-tracker-extension1.md](banatie-research-directions-tracker-extension1.md)
**Extended research directions - Directions 11-12**

**Deep-dive directions discovered from Direction 6 findings:**
- ⏳ Direction 11: E-commerce Product Photography (n8n workflows, $50B market)
- ⏳ Direction 12: NoCode Automation Builders (n8n, Make, Zapier users)

**Status:** Parking lot (ICP mismatch with no-code preference, long sales cycle)

---

## 🔬 Completed Research (Strong Signals)

### [direction-1-strong-signals.md](direction-1-strong-signals.md)
**Research:** Agencies + Placeholder Hell
**Status:** ✅ COMPLETED - Strong signals found
**Confidence:** Medium (60-70%)

**Key Findings:**
- "Placeholder hell" validated (projects stall waiting for client content)
- Client approval blocked without realistic demo images
- Agencies struggle with generic stock photos for pitches
- Pain is real but ICP mismatch (agencies ≠ validated AI developer audience)

**Strategic Decision:** Secondary market, revisit if primary ICP fails

---

### [direction-2-strong-signals.md](direction-2-strong-signals.md)
**Research:** AI Coding Agents (Early Phase)
**Status:** ⚠️ PARTIAL - Superseded by part2

**Note:** This file contains initial findings. For complete research, see direction-2-strong-signals-part2.md below.

---

### [direction-2-strong-signals-part2.md](direction-2-strong-signals-part2.md) ⭐ PRIMARY
**Research:** AI Coding Agents + Image Generation (COMPLETE)
**Status:** ✅ STRONGEST VALIDATION
**Confidence:** Very High (70-80%)

**Key Findings:**
1. ✅ Massive user base (36K+ r/cursor members building real projects)
2. ✅ Stock photos pain validated (generic, overused, unprofessional)
3. ✅ Willingness to pay confirmed ($20-200/mo for AI tools)
4. ✅ Manual Midjourney workflow = tedious
5. ✅ Aspect ratio limitations = real pain
6. ✅ Image optimization = time-consuming
7. ✅ Paid MCP business model validated ($5-20/mo for point tools)

**ICP Match:** 70-80% confidence
- Founder IS the ICP (uses Claude Code daily)
- Technical fit = perfect (MCP + SDK)
- Market size = huge
- Fast path to revenue

**Strategic Decision:** ✅ PRIMARY ICP - Proceed to customer interviews

---

### [direction-6-strong-signals.md](direction-6-strong-signals.md)
**Research:** Gemini 2.5 Flash Specific Demand + E-commerce/NoCode
**Status:** ✅ COMPLETED - Mixed signals
**Confidence:** Low for ICP match (30-40%)

**Key Findings:**
- ✅ Huge market ($50B product photography)
- ✅ Clear use case (1 photo → 100 variations)
- ✅ n8n + Nano Banana workflows actively used in production
- ⚠️ Free tier preference (16K-31K images/month FREE)
- ⚠️ No-code preference (not our validated technical ICP)
- ⚠️ Long sales cycle for e-commerce (B2B)

**Strategic Decision:** Parking lot - Directions 11-12 created for future exploration if needed

---

## 🎯 Strategic Analysis

### Key Insights Across All Research

**Market Validation:**
- Direction 2 (AI Coding Agents) = ⭐ 70-80% confidence, strongest signals
- Direction 1 (Agencies) = 60-70% confidence, ICP mismatch concern
- Direction 6 (E-commerce/NoCode) = 30-40% confidence, pivot required

**SEO Opportunities (NEW):**
- "Placeholder images" cluster = ⭐ 14,800 searches/mo, no AI competition
- Low-competition keywords with commercial intent identified
- Content strategy defined for Q1 2025

**ICP Segmentation (from Direction 2):**
- **Segment A:** Studios/Agencies (3-10 people, CEO decision, higher ACV)
- **Segment B:** Power Users ⭐ PRIMARY (Tech leads with Cursor/Claude Code)
- **Segment C:** Freelancers (Solo, price-sensitive, fast decision)
- **Segment D:** AI-savvy Freelancers ⭐ SECONDARY (High volume, time=money)

**Technical Product:** SAME for all segments
**GTM Strategy:** DIFFERS by segment (messaging, pricing emphasis, channels)

---

## 📈 Research Outcomes & Next Steps

**Phase 1 Completed (Oct 31 - Nov 2, 2025):**
- ✅ 3 directions researched with strong signals
- ✅ 10 directions mapped, 2 extensions scoped
- ✅ Reusable methodology documented
- ✅ ICP refined to A/B/C/D segments
- ✅ Primary market validated (AI Coding Agents)

**SEO Research Phase (Dec 26, 2025):** ⭐ NEW
- ✅ DataForSEO MCP Server integrated
- ✅ First keyword cluster researched ("placeholder images")
- ✅ Content plan with 5 articles defined
- ⏳ Additional clusters pending (use-case, tech stack)

**Next Phase: External Validation + Content (January 2025):**
- 10-14 customer interviews across A/B/C/D segments
- Create `/placeholder-images` landing page
- Publish first SEO-optimized tutorials
- Validate willingness to pay ($20-50/mo)

**Success Criteria for GO:**
- 60%+ say "I would use this" (6+ out of 10)
- 40%+ willing to pay $20+ (4+ out of 10)
- 30%+ want early access (3+ out of 10)
- ONE specific pain mentioned by 60%+

---

## 🔄 Research Workflow (Quick Reference)

**For ICP/Market research sessions:**

1. **Load Context:**
   - Read: ROADMAP.md, INDEX.md, 12-the-current-tech-state.md
   - Read: Research trackers (main + extensions)
   - Review: Completed research files

2. **Plan Searches:**
   - Choose direction from tracker
   - Propose 5-7 specific search queries
   - Discuss → Adjust → Execute

3. **Execute Iteratively:**
   - Run search → Scan → Share findings immediately
   - Multiple variations per topic (3-5)
   - Adjust strategy based on results

4. **Document Continuously:**
   - Create `direction-N-strong-signals.md`
   - Format: 🟢 STRONG / 🟡 MEDIUM / 🔴 WEAK signals
   - Include: URL, exact quote, context, interpretation

5. **Decide & Wrap:**
   - Summarize findings after 5-7 searches
   - Decide: Keep searching / Move on / Pivot
   - Update tracker with findings

**For SEO Keyword research sessions:** ⭐ NEW

1. **Define Category:** Entry points, solutions, use-cases, tech stack
2. **Run DataForSEO:** Search volume → Related → SERP
3. **Filter:** KD < 50, Volume > 50
4. **Analyze:** Content gaps, competitor presence
5. **Output:** Create `seo-keyword-research-{topic}.md`

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## 📝 File Inventory

**Total Files:** 8 (excluding this INDEX.md)

**Planning Documents (2):**
- banatie-research-directions-tracker.md (Directions 0-10)
- banatie-research-directions-tracker-extension1.md (Directions 11-12)

**Methodology (1):**
- passive-research-methodology.md (Reusable framework)

**ICP Research (4):**
- direction-1-strong-signals.md (Agencies + Placeholder Hell)
- direction-2-strong-signals.md (AI Agents - Partial)
- direction-2-strong-signals-part2.md (AI Agents - Complete) ⭐
- direction-6-strong-signals.md (Gemini/E-commerce/NoCode)

**SEO Keyword Research (1):** ⭐ NEW
- seo-keyword-research-placeholder-images.md (Entry point cluster)

**Future Research:**
- Directions 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 mapped but not yet researched
- Directions 11, 12 scoped for future exploration if needed
- Additional keyword clusters: use-case, tech stack, competitor alternatives

---

## 🔗 Related Documentation

**For strategic context:**
- [Main INDEX.md](../INDEX.md) - Complete project documentation map
- [ROADMAP.md](../ROADMAP.md) - Current priorities and active sprint
- [FRAMEWORK.md](../FRAMEWORK.md) - Discussion and documentation best practices

**For ICP decisions:**
- [07-validated-icp-ai-developers.md](../strategy/07-validated-icp-ai-developers.md) - Primary ICP hypothesis
- [02-reality-check.md](../strategy/02-reality-check.md) - Founder constraints

**For execution:**
- [08-validation-plan.md](../execution/08-validation-plan.md) - Interview sprint plan
- [03-icp-research-questions.md](../execution/03-icp-research-questions.md) - Interview script

**For discussions:**
- [2025-12-26-dataforseo-integration-keyword-research.md](../discussions/2025-12-26-dataforseo-integration-keyword-research.md) - DataForSEO session ⭐ NEW

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**Document Owner:** @men + Oleg
**Version:** 1.1 (SEO research section added)
**Next Review:** After content marketing sprint (January 2025)
**Maintenance:** Update when new research completed or insights synthesized