Top AI Prompts (2026): The Ultimate SEO Guide to the Best Prompts, Prompt Patterns, and Real-World Examples

AI prompts are now a core skill for marketers, developers, founders, students, and creators. The difference between “an okay output” and “a publish-ready, accurate, on-brand result” often comes down to how you prompt. In this long-form guide, you’ll find the top AI prompts (copy-paste ready), the best prompt frameworks, industry-specific prompt packs, and practical tips to get consistently high-quality results from modern AI tools.

This article is optimized for search intent around: top AI prompts, best ChatGPT prompts, best prompts for AI, prompt engineering examples, and AI prompt templates. It’s written to be evergreen, actionable, and easy to skim—while still deep enough to serve as a reference you can bookmark.

What Are AI Prompts (and Why “Top Prompts” Matter)?

An AI prompt is a set of instructions you give an AI model to produce a desired output—such as a blog post, code, design brief, spreadsheet formula, customer email, sales script, legal clause draft, or lesson plan. “Top AI prompts” aren’t magical phrases; they are prompts that include the right ingredients:

Clear role: Who the AI should act as (e.g., SEO editor, Python engineer, product manager).
Context: Background details, constraints, audience, and goals.
Inputs: Data you provide (notes, transcript, URL text, requirements).
Outputs: Format, structure, length, tone, and success criteria.
Quality control: Checks, assumptions, and requests for clarifying questions.

Quick Start: The Single Best “Universal” AI Prompt Template

If you only use one template, use this. It’s designed to reliably improve quality across writing, strategy, coding, and analysis.

[ROLE]

Act as a senior [role] with deep experience in [domain].

[GOAL]

Your task is to produce [deliverable] that achieves [specific outcome].

[CONTEXT]

Here is the background and constraints:

- Audience: [...]

- Brand voice/tone: [...]

- Must include: [...]

- Must avoid: [...]

- Length/format: [...]

- Deadline/priority: [...]

[INPUTS]

Use the following information (quote it when relevant):

[...]

[OUTPUT REQUIREMENTS]

Return the result as:

- Structure: [...]

- Style rules: [...]

- Examples: [...]

- If uncertain, ask up to 5 clarifying questions first.

[QUALITY CHECK]

Before finalizing, verify:

- Accuracy and no hallucinations

- Consistency with constraints

- Clear next steps / actionable recommendations

Top AI Prompt Frameworks (Prompt Patterns That Work in Any Tool)

1) RCT: Role + Context + Task

This is the simplest high-performance formula. It forces clarity and reduces vague outputs.

Role: You are a [role].

Context: [who it’s for, what we’re doing, constraints].

Task: [exactly what you want, format, and success criteria].

2) CRAFT: Constraints + Role + Audience + Format + Tone

CRAFT is ideal for marketing, SEO writing, and business documents where formatting and tone matter.

Constraints: [word count, must include, must avoid, sources]

Role: [expert persona]

Audience: [who will read it]

Format: [outline/table/checklist]

Tone: [brand voice]

3) SPEC: Situation + Problem + Evidence + Criteria

Great for analysis, decision-making, and strategy. You provide evidence and define what “good” looks like.

Situation: [...]

Problem: [...]

Evidence/Data: [...]

Criteria for a good answer: [...]

4) “Two-Pass” Prompting (Draft → Critique → Improve)

This pattern produces noticeably stronger final outputs. You ask the model to write, then to critique, then to revise.

Step 1: Create a first draft.

Step 2: Critique it against these criteria: [...]

Step 3: Rewrite an improved version with the critique applied.

How to Write Top AI Prompts: The 12 Rules of High-Quality Prompting

Rule 1: Define the deliverable in one sentence

Instead of “Help me with marketing,” say “Write a landing page hero section with headline, subhead, and 3 benefit bullets for X.”

Rule 2: Provide the audience and stage of awareness

A beginner needs definitions; an expert wants nuance. Also specify whether they’re problem-aware, solution-aware, or product-aware.

Rule 3: Add constraints (they increase creativity)

Word count range
Reading level
Must include keywords
Must avoid certain claims
Formatting requirements

Rule 4: Ask for a plan before execution (for complex work)

For multi-step outputs—like an SEO strategy—ask for an outline first and confirm it.

Rule 5: Request assumptions and unknowns

A strong AI prompt includes: “List assumptions you’re making and what you’d need to confirm.”

Rule 6: Ask for alternatives

For creative tasks: “Provide 5 options with different styles.”

Rule 7: Demand validation checks

For factual work: “If you’re unsure, say so. Don’t guess. Ask questions.”

Rule 8: Use examples (few-shot prompting)

Show 1–3 examples of the style you want—especially for brand voice.

Rule 9: Control formatting

If you want JSON, say so. If you want an outline, specify heading levels.

Rule 10: Keep prompts modular

Reuse blocks: role, tone, format, constraints, quality checks.

Rule 11: Iterate with “diagnostic prompts”

Ask: “What information is missing to do this well?” Then supply it.

Rule 12: Use tool-aware instructions

If your AI supports browsing, files, or code execution, explicitly allow or disallow it.

Top AI Prompts for SEO (Best Prompts for Ranking Content)

SEO Prompt 1: Keyword Cluster and Search Intent Map

Act as an SEO strategist. Build a keyword cluster for the topic: [TOPIC].

Return:

1) Primary keyword + 10 close variants

2) 20 long-tail keywords grouped by intent (informational/commercial/transactional)

3) Suggested content types for each group

4) A recommended internal linking plan

Constraints: Focus on realistic, human search queries. Avoid keyword stuffing.

SEO Prompt 2: Create a SERP-Informed Outline (No Browsing Required)

You are an SEO editor. Create a comprehensive blog outline for the keyword: [KEYWORD].

Assume the SERP includes: definitions, step-by-step guides, examples, FAQs, and comparison sections.

Return:

- H2/H3 structure

- Key points per section

- Suggested FAQ questions

- A short “unique angle” that differentiates the article

SEO Prompt 3: Write an SEO-Optimized Section (Not the Whole Article)

Write the section titled: “[SECTION TITLE]” for an SEO blog post targeting: [KEYWORD].

Audience: [BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE/EXPERT]

Include:

- A short definition

- 2 examples

- A checklist

Style: clear, non-fluffy, active voice

Length: 350–550 words

SEO Prompt 4: On-Page SEO QA Checklist

Act as an on-page SEO QA specialist. Review this draft content (pasted below) and return:

- Title tag suggestion (max 60 chars)

- Meta description (max 155 chars)

- Recommended H1/H2 fixes

- Keyword usage issues (stuffing, missing variants)

- Internal link opportunities

- 5 FAQ questions

- 5 snippet-ready answers (40–60 words)

Draft:

[PASTE TEXT]

SEO Prompt 5: Featured Snippet Optimization

For the query: “[QUERY]”, generate:

1) A 40–55 word definition optimized for a featured snippet

2) A numbered list snippet (5–7 steps)

3) A table snippet (at least 5 rows)

Use plain language and avoid unverifiable claims.

Top AI Prompts for Blogging (Research, Outlines, Drafting, Editing)

Blog Prompt 1: Audience-First Angle Finder

Act as a content strategist. Topic: [TOPIC]. Audience: [AUDIENCE].

Give me 10 angle ideas with:

- Hook

- Promise (what they’ll learn)

- Why it’s different from generic posts

- Best format (guide, checklist, case study, opinion)

Blog Prompt 2: Long-Form Outline with “Proof Points”

Create a long-form outline for: [TITLE].

For each H2, include:

- Key claims

- Suggested examples

- Potential counterarguments

- “Proof points” (what data or sources would strengthen it)

Make it skimmable and logically ordered.

Blog Prompt 3: Rewrite for Clarity and Voice

You are a senior editor. Rewrite the text below for clarity and flow.

Constraints:

- Keep meaning the same

- Reduce fluff by 20–30%

- Keep sentences varied and natural

- Maintain tone: [TONE]

Text:

[PASTE]

Blog Prompt 4: Fact-Check and Risk Flags

Review the content below and identify:

- Statements that require citations

- Claims that might be inaccurate or time-sensitive

- Safer rewrites that preserve the point without guessing

Content:

[PASTE]

Blog Prompt 5: Convert Article into Repurposed Assets

Turn this article into:

- 1 LinkedIn post (professional, 150–250 words)

- 1 X thread (8–12 tweets)

- 5 short video scripts (30–45 seconds each)

- 1 email newsletter (subject lines + body)

Article:

[PASTE]

Top AI Prompts for Marketing (Ads, Emails, Landing Pages, Positioning)

Marketing Prompt 1: Brand Positioning in One Page

Act as a brand strategist. Product: [PRODUCT].

Target customer: [ICP].

Competitors: [LIST].

Create a 1-page positioning doc with:

- Category and positioning statement

- Value props (top 5)

- Proof points (what evidence we need)

- Objections + rebuttals

- “Do/Don’t” messaging guidelines

Tone: confident, not hype.

Marketing Prompt 2: Landing Page Hero Variations

Create 12 landing page hero variations for [PRODUCT].

Each variation must include:

- Headline (max 9 words)

- Subhead (max 18 words)

- 3 benefit bullets

- CTA button text

Write in 4 styles: minimalist, bold, playful, premium.

Marketing Prompt 3: Email Sequence (Welcome → Value → Offer)

Write a 5-email welcome sequence for [PRODUCT] targeted at [AUDIENCE].

Include:

- Subject lines (3 options each)

- Preview text

- Email body (120–180 words)

- CTA

Constraints: no spammy language, no exaggerated claims.

Marketing Prompt 4: Ad Copy with Compliance Guardrails

Create ad copy for [PLATFORM: Google/Meta/LinkedIn] promoting [OFFER].

Return:

- 10 primary texts

- 10 headlines

- 10 descriptions

Constraints:

- Avoid restricted claims: [LIST]

- Avoid “before/after” language

- Keep it benefit-led and specific.

Marketing Prompt 5: Differentiation Matrix

Build a differentiation matrix for [PRODUCT] vs competitors: [LIST].

Rows = features/outcomes; columns = products.

Include:

- What we do better

- What we do differently (not better)

- What we should avoid competing on

End with a recommended positioning angle.

Top AI Prompts for Business (Strategy, Ops, Finance, Docs)

Business Prompt 1: Meeting Notes → Action Plan

Turn these meeting notes into an action plan.

Return:

- Decisions made

- Open questions

- Action items (owner, due date, priority)

- Risks and mitigations

Notes:

[PASTE]

Business Prompt 2: SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) Generator

Create an SOP for this process: [PROCESS].

Include:

- Purpose

- Scope

- Roles/responsibilities

- Step-by-step procedure

- Quality checklist

- Common failure modes + fixes

Write it so a new hire can follow it.

Business Prompt 3: Executive Summary from a Long Document

Summarize the document below for an executive audience.

Return:

- 8-bullet summary

- 3 key risks

- 3 opportunities

- Recommendation + next steps

Document:

[PASTE]

Business Prompt 4: Pricing Strategy Exploration

Act as a SaaS pricing strategist. Product: [PRODUCT]. Audience: [ICP].

Propose 3 pricing models with:

- Plan structure and limits

- Psychological rationale

- Expected objections

- What metrics to track post-launch

Constraints: Keep it realistic and simple to explain.

Business Prompt 5: OKRs Draft

Create quarterly OKRs for a [TEAM] team.

Company goal: [GOAL].

Return:

- 3 objectives

- 4 key results per objective

- Measurement method and targets

Make them outcome-based, not task lists.

Top AI Prompts for Coding (Web, Scripts, Debugging, Architecture)

Coding Prompt 1: Build a Feature with Requirements

Act as a senior software engineer. Implement [FEATURE] in [LANGUAGE/FRAMEWORK].

Requirements:

- Inputs: [...]

- Outputs: [...]

- Edge cases: [...]

- Performance constraints: [...]

Return:

- Explanation of approach

- Final code

- Tests (unit tests preferred)

- Notes on tradeoffs

Coding Prompt 2: Debugging with Minimal Repro

You are a debugging assistant. I have this bug:

- Expected: [...]

- Actual: [...]

- Error message: [...]

Code:

[PASTE]

Task:

1) Identify likely causes

2) Propose 3 fixes

3) Provide a corrected version of the code

4) Explain how to prevent it in the future

Coding Prompt 3: Code Review Checklist + Refactor

Review the code below like a senior reviewer.

Return:

- Critical issues (security, correctness)

- Maintainability improvements

- Performance opportunities

- Refactored version (same behavior)

Code:

[PASTE]

Coding Prompt 4: API Contract from Product Requirements

Create an API contract for this feature: [FEATURE].

Return:

- Endpoints (method + path)

- Request/response JSON schema

- Status codes and error formats

- Auth and rate limiting notes

- Example requests and responses

Coding Prompt 5: Generate Documentation

Write developer documentation for the module below.

Include:

- What it does

- Setup instructions

- Usage examples

- Configuration options

- Troubleshooting section

Module/code:

[PASTE]

Top AI Prompts for Students and Learning (Study Plans, Tutoring, Practice)

Learning Prompt 1: Personalized Study Plan

Act as a tutor. I want to learn [SUBJECT] for [GOAL] in [TIMEFRAME].

My current level: [LEVEL].

Constraints: [hours/week], preferred learning style: [style].

Create a week-by-week study plan with:

- Topics

- Exercises

- Checkpoints

- Mini-projects

- Recommended revision schedule

Learning Prompt 2: Socratic Tutor Mode

Teach me [TOPIC] using the Socratic method.

Rules:

- Ask one question at a time

- Wait for my answer

- Correct misconceptions gently

- Increase difficulty gradually

Start by assessing my current understanding.

Learning Prompt 3: Practice Problems Generator

Create 20 practice problems on [TOPIC] with solutions.

Include:

- 10 easy, 7 medium, 3 hard

- Step-by-step solutions

- Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Learning Prompt 4: Turn Notes into Flashcards

Convert these notes into Anki-style flashcards.

Return as:

Q: ...

A: ...

Notes:

[PASTE]

Learning Prompt 5: Exam Simulation

Simulate an exam on [SUBJECT] at [LEVEL].

Include:

- Time limit recommendation

- 10 questions

- Grading rubric

After I answer, grade and explain mistakes.

Top AI Prompts for Creators (YouTube, Podcasts, Scripts, Storytelling)

Creator Prompt 1: YouTube Script with Retention Hooks

Write a YouTube script on: [TOPIC].

Audience: [AUDIENCE].

Length: [8–12 minutes].

Include:

- Cold open (10–20 seconds)

- Pattern interrupts every ~45–60 seconds

- 3 story beats

- CTA that feels natural

Tone: [TONE]

Creator Prompt 2: Podcast Episode Outline

Create a podcast episode outline about [TOPIC].

Include:

- Intro monologue

- Segment breakdown with timing

- 10 interview questions

- Closing summary and takeaways

Creator Prompt 3: Story Engine Prompt

Generate 5 story concepts about [THEME] for [FORMAT: short story/video].

Each concept must include:

- Character

- Desire

- Obstacle

- Twist

- Ending tone (hopeful/tragic/ambiguous)

Creator Prompt 4: Content Calendar

Create a 30-day content calendar for [PLATFORM] around [NICHE].

Include:

- Daily post idea

- Hook

- CTA

- Suggested format (carousel, short video, thread)

- Difficulty rating

Creator Prompt 5: Style Transfer (Without Copying)

Rewrite this text to match the style of [STYLE DESCRIPTION] without imitating any specific author.

Constraints:

- Keep original meaning

- Improve rhythm and clarity

- Avoid clichés

Text:

[PASTE]

Top AI Prompts for HR, Hiring, and Career (Resumes, Interviews, Performance)

Career Prompt 1: Resume Tailoring

Act as a recruiter for [ROLE]. Rewrite my resume bullets to fit this job description.

Return:

- Updated bullet points (STAR format)

- Skills to emphasize

- Gaps to address

Job description:

[PASTE]

My resume:

[PASTE]

Career Prompt 2: Interview Practice (Behavioral + Technical)

Interview me for a [ROLE] position.

Rules:

- Ask one question at a time

- Mix behavioral and technical

- After each answer, give feedback and a stronger sample answer

Start with: “Tell me about yourself.”

Career Prompt 3: Performance Review Self-Assessment

Help me write a self-assessment for my performance review.

Inputs:

- Role: [...]

- Key projects: [...]

- Metrics/results: [...]

- Challenges: [...]

Return:

- 1-page narrative

- Bullet highlights

- Growth plan for next quarter

Career Prompt 4: Job Search Strategy

Create a 4-week job search plan for a [ROLE] targeting [INDUSTRY/LOCATION].

Include:

- Weekly goals

- Outreach templates

- Portfolio improvements

- Interview prep schedule

Constraints: [hours/week]

Career Prompt 5: LinkedIn Profile Optimization

Optimize my LinkedIn profile for [ROLE].

Return:

- Headline (10 options)

- About section (2 versions)

- Experience bullet rewrites

- Featured section suggestions

My current text:

[PASTE]

Top AI Prompts for Customer Support (Macros, Tone, Troubleshooting)

Support Prompt 1: Macro Library Creation

Create 15 customer support macros for [PRODUCT].

Include categories:

- Billing

- Login issues

- Bug reporting

- Feature request

- Refund policy

Tone: friendly, concise, professional.

Each macro should include:

- Subject line

- Body

- Next-step checklist for the customer

Support Prompt 2: Ticket Triage

Classify these tickets by:

- Category

- Severity (P0–P3)

- Suggested first response

Tickets:

[PASTE]

Support Prompt 3: Troubleshooting Decision Tree

Create a troubleshooting decision tree for this issue: [ISSUE].

Return as:

- Step-by-step questions

- If/then branches

- When to escalate to engineering

- Data to collect before escalation

Top AI Prompts for E-commerce (Product Descriptions, Reviews, Merchandising)

E-commerce Prompt 1: Product Description Set (SEO + Conversion)

Write product descriptions for: [PRODUCT].

Return:

- SEO description (150–220 words)

- Short description (40–6