how do you research for content before creating an article?

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[GetNachoNacho]

I usually pull ideas from a mix of SERPs, Reddit, and Quora. Real conversations + search intent together give a much clearer picture of what people actually care about.

[bonniew1554]

quick rundown for content research is to copy what ranks then zoom in on gaps. i scan serp for patterns then hit reddit threads that match the tone i need and pull two to four real phrases people keep repeating. then i write a short outline and test a mini version on one community since i once posted a rough draft in a small sub and the top reply gave me the missing example. a lo fi pass through quora helps when you need user language not ideas.

[WebLinkr]

Sometimes I just write or just grab parts of conversations I’ve written about here and turn those into posts

[No_Tangerine_2903]

I’ve been in my niche’s subreddits for a couple years and I’m familiar with what people tend to ask and which type of posts are popular so I write about those topics, or things related to those topics.

I also focus on which SERPs are doing well and try to write more content based on those topics.

Sometimes I just write about what I find interesting that I haven’t seen anyone else cover in the niche.

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[akasojib]

• Start with SERP analysis to understand intent and see what formats and angles already work
• Identify gaps in the top ten results that competitors missed
• Check Reddit, Quora, Facebook groups, and YouTube comments to find real user questions and pain points
• Use Ahrefs and SEMrush to validate keywords, check difficulty, and find high ROI topics
• Review industry reports, case studies, and expert insights when the topic needs depth
• Map out a content structure built around user problems and search intent
• Blend ranking patterns, real audience language, and data to create content that stands out

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[SEOSavvyLawyer]

Hey! For content research, I typically combine several methods. I check SERPs to see what’s already ranking, then I browse Reddit and Quora to understand real user questions, opinions, and pain points. Sometimes I also use keyword tools to spot gaps or new ideas. So yeah, kind of a combination of all of them. What about you?

[thescco]

I start with the SERP to map intent and headings, then mine People Also Ask, Reddit, Quora, and competitor FAQs for real questions. Pull keywords from GSC/Ahrefs, group by topic, and interview a user or SME for examples. Outline, add stats/sources, write, then fact-check and update after publishing.

[Dishwaterdreams]

I usually start either with sources I’m already familiar with or Perplexity to provide a starting point. I never use Quora. I may use Reddit for content ideas but never research.

[E4sy1dle12e]

Mix of keyword tools, SERP gaps, and user questions. If I see the same pain point pop up across Reddit and Quora, that’s usually the angle