Blog Post Outlines Template
Turn a keyword list into blog post outlines with AI in Google Sheets. Free =GPT() template: H2/H3 structures, intent-matched angles and intro paragraphs.
Go from keyword list to writer-ready briefs in one drag: every row becomes an H2/H3 outline matched to search intent, plus an intro paragraph so drafts never start from zero.
What you need in your sheet
| Column | Content |
|---|---|
| A | Target keyword |
| B | Search intent (how-to, listicle, comparison, informational) |
| C | Audience |
| D | Generated outline |
| E | Generated intro paragraph |
The formula
In D2, then drag down:
=GPT("Create a blog post outline for the keyword '"&A2&"' as a markdown list: one H1, then 5-7 H2 sections with 2-3 H3s each. Structure it for this search intent: "&B2&". Audience: "&C2&". No filler sections like 'Conclusion: final thoughts'.")
In E2, reading the outline it just produced:
=GPT("Write a 60-80 word intro for the blog post outlined below, targeting '"&A2&"'. First sentence answers the query directly. No 'In today's fast-paced world' openers.", D2)
Variations: add a column asking for “5 questions this post must answer (from People Also Ask style queries)” to enrich each brief, or ask for a suggested meta title and description per row while you’re at it.
Get started
- Install GPT for Sheets from the Google Workspace Marketplace (free tier included, no API keys needed).
- Paste your keyword list into column A, tag intent in B, and add the formulas.
- Drag them down the list, then use Replace all GPT formulas with results in the sidebar and hand the briefs to your writers.
Full guide: Improved content outlines.
FAQ
Can I outline 100 keywords at once?
Yes. GPT for Sheets processes up to 10,000 results per hour, so a 100-keyword content plan outlines in minutes — drag the formula down the column and results fill in as they complete.
How do I make outlines match search intent?
That’s what column B is for. Label each keyword how-to, listicle, comparison or informational, and the prompt structures the H2s accordingly — a comparison keyword gets criteria sections, a how-to gets steps.
Can the sheet write the full posts too?
The template ships with an intro-paragraph column that reads the finished outline. Add more columns that expand each H2 the same way, chaining =GPT() calls — many teams outline in the sheet and draft in their CMS.