Pillar Page
A comprehensive, authoritative page covering a broad topic that links to and from related cluster content.
Definition
A pillar page serves as the central hub for a topic cluster, providing comprehensive coverage of a subject while linking to more specific, detailed content pieces. It's typically longer (3,000+ words) and designed to rank for competitive head terms.
The pillar-cluster model organizes content hierarchically: the pillar covers the topic broadly, while cluster content dives deep into subtopics. Internal links connect everything, signaling topical authority to search engines.
Why It Matters
Pillar pages consolidate ranking potential rather than spreading it across competing pages. Instead of multiple weak pages targeting related keywords, a pillar page becomes a definitive resource that ranks for many variations.
This architecture also improves user experience by providing clear paths from overview to detail. Visitors can understand the big picture or dive into specifics—whatever serves their needs.
Examples in Practice
A marketing agency creates a "Complete Guide to Content Marketing" pillar page linking to 25 cluster articles on subtopics like strategy, formats, distribution, and measurement—eventually ranking for the highly competitive main term.
A SaaS company's pillar page on "Project Management" becomes the hub for everything from methodology guides to tool comparisons, capturing search traffic at every stage of the buyer journey.
A B2B company audits existing content and consolidates 15 overlapping articles into one comprehensive pillar page that outranks all the previous individual pieces combined.