How to Use Outranking Step by Step — 2026 Tutorial

by Fahim Joharder | Last updated Mar 4, 2026

Quick Start

This guide covers every Outranking feature:

Getting Started — Create account and basic setup
How to Use AI-Powered SEO — Auto-score and fix on-page issues
How to Use AI SEO Writing — Generate fact-based first drafts
How to Use SEO Briefs — Build data-driven content plans
How to Use Content Strategy — Cluster keywords and plan topics
How to Use Plagiarism Removal — Check and fix duplicate content
How to Use Factual First Draft — Create research-backed articles fast
How to Use On-Page Optimization — Fine-tune meta tags and headings
How to Use Google Search Console Integration — Track rankings and find gaps

Time needed: 5 minutes per feature

Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives

Why Trust This Guide

I’ve used Outranking for over 6 months and tested every feature covered here. This how to use Outranking tutorial comes from real hands-on experience — not marketing fluff or vendor screenshots.

Outranking is one of the most powerful AI SEO content tools available today.

But most users only scratch the surface of what it can do.

This guide shows you how to use every major feature.

Step by step, with screenshots and pro tips.

Outranking Tutorial

This complete Outranking tutorial walks you through every feature step by step, from initial setup to advanced tips that will make you a power user.

Outranking

Create SEO content that ranks on page one. Outranking uses SERP data and AI to write, score, and publish articles that match search intent. Plans start at $19 per month.

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Getting Started with Outranking

Before using any feature, complete this one-time setup.

It takes about 3 minutes.

Watch this quick overview first:

Is Outranking.io the Ultimate AI SEO Tool? Here’s My Experience!

Now let’s walk through each step.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Go to Outranking’s website at outranking.io.

Click “Get Started” in the top right corner.

Enter your email and create a password.

✓ Checkpoint: Check your inbox for a confirmation email.

Step 2: Set Up Your First Project

Enter your target keyword and select your country.

Here’s what the dashboard looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see the main dashboard with your new document.

Step 3: Connect Google Search Console

Go to Settings and click “Connect GSC.”

Authorize access to pull your ranking data.

This step is optional but highly recommended.

✅ Done: You’re ready to use any feature below.

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How to Use Outranking AI-Powered SEO

AI-Powered SEO lets you auto-score your content against top-ranking pages.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch AI-Powered SEO in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Open Your SEO Document

Click on any document from your dashboard.

The SEO editor loads with your target keyword.

Step 2: Review Your SEO Score

Look at the real-time SEO score on the right panel.

Outranking checks over 40 on-page factors automatically.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a score between 0 and 100.

Step 3: Apply Auto-Optimization

Click “Auto Optimize” to fix missing keywords and tags.

Outranking adds related keywords and fixes meta elements.

✅ Result: Your content is scored and fixed for on-page SEO.

💡 Pro Tip: Aim for a score above 80 before publishing. Pages with scores above 80 tend to rank much faster in search results.

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How to Use Outranking AI SEO Writing

AI SEO Writing lets you generate fact-based drafts from SERP data.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch AI SEO Writing in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Create a New SEO Document

Click “New Document” and enter your target keyword.

Outranking scans the top 20 results for that keyword.

Step 2: Generate Your AI Draft

Click “Write with AI” to create your first draft.

The AI pulls facts from top-ranking pages to write content.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a complete draft in the editor.

Step 3: Edit and Refine the Draft

Review each section and add your own voice.

Replace generic sentences with personal experience.

✅ Result: You have a fact-based draft ready for editing.

💡 Pro Tip: Never publish AI drafts without editing. Add your expertise, examples, and unique angles to stand out from competitors.

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How to Use Outranking SEO Briefs

SEO Briefs lets you build detailed content plans from SERP analysis.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch SEO Briefs in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Start a Content Brief

Open your SEO document and click “Content Brief.”

Outranking pulls data from the top search results.

Step 2: Customize Your Outline

Review the suggested headings, topics, and questions.

Drag and drop sections to match your preferred structure.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a full outline with headings and subtopics.

Click “Share” to send the brief via Google Docs.

Your writers get a clear roadmap for the article.

✅ Result: You have a data-driven content brief ready for your team.

💡 Pro Tip: Include “People Also Ask” questions in your brief. These questions often become featured snippet opportunities.

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How to Use Outranking Content Strategy

Content Strategy lets you cluster keywords and plan your content calendar.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Content Strategy in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Enter Your Seed Keywords

Go to the Strategy tab and add your main keywords.

Outranking groups them into topic clusters automatically.

Step 2: Review Keyword Clusters

Check each cluster for search volume and difficulty.

Focus on clusters with low competition first.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see grouped keywords with volume data.

Step 3: Build Your Content Plan

Select clusters and add them to your content calendar.

Outranking suggests internal linking between related topics.

✅ Result: You have a keyword-driven content plan with clusters.

💡 Pro Tip: Start with long-tail keywords that have lower competition. Build authority on those topics before going after harder terms.

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How to Use Outranking Plagiarism Removal

Plagiarism Removal lets you check content for duplicate text.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Plagiarism Removal in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Open the Plagiarism Checker

Click the plagiarism icon in your SEO document editor.

Outranking scans your content against online sources.

Step 2: Review Flagged Sections

Highlighted text shows matches found on other websites.

Click each flag to see the source URL.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see flagged sections with source links.

Step 3: Rewrite Flagged Content

Rewrite each flagged section in your own words.

Run the checker again to confirm zero matches.

✅ Result: Your content is original and safe to publish.

💡 Pro Tip: Run the plagiarism checker before every publish. Even AI-generated text can accidentally match existing content online.

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How to Use Outranking Factual First Draft

Factual First Draft lets you create research-backed articles in minutes.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Factual First Draft in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Select Your Concepts

Open your document and click “Concepts.”

Outranking pulls key facts from top-ranking articles.

Step 2: Choose Facts to Include

Select the facts and data points you want in your draft.

The AI uses these facts as source material for writing.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see selected concepts highlighted in your outline.

Step 3: Generate the Factual Draft

Click “Generate Draft” to create content from your concepts.

The result is a draft built on real data, not guesses.

✅ Result: You have a research-backed first draft ready for editing.

💡 Pro Tip: The Concepts feature is what sets Outranking apart from generic AI writers. Always use it instead of the basic AI draft option.

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How to Use Outranking On-Page Optimization

On-Page Optimization lets you fine-tune meta tags, headings, and keywords.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch On-Page Optimization in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Check Your Meta Title and Description

Open the optimization panel in your SEO document.

Review the suggested meta title and meta description.

Step 2: Fix Missing On-Page Elements

The panel shows which keywords and topics are missing.

Add the suggested terms to your headings and body text.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see green checkmarks next to fixed items.

Step 3: Publish to WordPress or Google Docs

Click “Publish” to push your content to WordPress directly.

You can also export to Google Docs for team review.

✅ Result: Your content is fully tuned for on-page SEO factors.

💡 Pro Tip: Use the WordPress plugin for one-click publishing. It saves time and keeps your formatting intact.

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How to Use Outranking Google Search Console Integration

Google Search Console Integration lets you track rankings and find content gaps.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Google Search Console Integration in action:

Outranking Google Search Console Integration

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Connect Your GSC Account

Go to Settings and click “Connect Google Search Console.”

Authorize Outranking to read your search data.

Step 2: Review Your Content Inventory

Outranking shows all your indexed pages with ranking data.

Sort by position to find pages that need improvement.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see a list of your pages with current rankings.

Step 3: Find Keyword Gaps

Click on any page to see missing keyword opportunities.

Add these keywords to your content for quick ranking wins.

✅ Result: You know exactly which pages to update and what keywords to add.

💡 Pro Tip: Focus on pages ranking between positions 5 and 15. Small improvements on these pages can push them to page one fast.

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How to Use Outranking Reports and Analytics

Reports and Analytics lets you track content performance over time.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Reports and Analytics in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Open Your Reports Dashboard

Click “Reports” from the main navigation menu.

Outranking shows your content performance data.

Step 2: Check Ranking Changes

Review which pages moved up or down in search results.

Filter by date range to spot trends.

✓ Checkpoint: You should see ranking changes for your tracked pages.

Step 3: Identify Pages That Need Updates

Look for pages with dropping rankings or low SEO scores.

Click “Optimize” to jump straight into the editor.

✅ Result: You can track and improve content performance from one dashboard.

💡 Pro Tip: Check your reports weekly. SEO changes quickly, and catching a ranking drop early lets you fix it before losing traffic.

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Outranking Pro Tips and Shortcuts

After testing Outranking for over 6 months, here are my best tips.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut
Save Document	Ctrl + S
Undo Last Change	Ctrl + Z
Redo Last Change	Ctrl + Y
Bold Text	Ctrl + B
Insert Heading	Ctrl + H

Hidden Features Most People Miss

Concepts Tool: Pulls real facts from top pages for AI writing. Most users skip this and get worse drafts.
Import Existing URLs: Paste any live URL into Outranking to get a baseline SEO score and fix suggestions.
Automatic Internal Linking: Outranking suggests links between your pages. Enable this in the Strategy section.

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Outranking Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Publishing AI Drafts Without Editing

❌ Wrong: Clicking “Generate Draft” and publishing immediately without review.

✅ Right: Edit every AI draft. Add your expertise, fix facts, and match your brand voice.

Mistake #2: Ignoring the SEO Score

❌ Wrong: Writing content and publishing without checking the SEO score panel.

✅ Right: Always check your score before publishing. Aim for 80 or higher.

Mistake #3: Stuffing Keywords to Raise the Score

❌ Wrong: Adding every suggested keyword repeatedly to force a higher score.

✅ Right: Use keywords naturally. Focus on covering topics well, not hitting every term.

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Outranking Troubleshooting

Problem: SEO Score Not Updating

Cause: The editor sometimes needs a manual refresh after large edits.

Fix: Save your document, refresh the page, and reopen it. The score recalculates.

Problem: AI Draft Generates Irrelevant Content

Cause: Your keyword has very few ranking pages to pull data from.

Fix: Use the Concepts tool to select specific facts before generating. Use a broader keyword if needed.

Problem: Google Search Console Not Connecting

Cause: Your Google account permissions may not include the right property.

Fix: Make sure you’re logged into the Google account that owns the Search Console property. Re-authorize from Settings.

📌 Note: If none of these fix your issue, contact Outranking support.

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What is Outranking?

Outranking is an AI SEO content tool that helps you plan, write, and rank articles.

Think of it like having an SEO expert and AI writer in one dashboard.

Watch this quick overview:

It includes these key features:

AI-Powered SEO: Real-time scoring against top-ranking pages
AI SEO Writing: Generate drafts based on SERP data and facts
SEO Briefs: Create detailed content plans from competitor analysis
Content Strategy: Cluster keywords and plan topics
Plagiarism Removal: Check and fix duplicate content
Factual First Draft: Write research-backed articles using real data
On-Page Optimization: Fix meta tags, headings, and keywords
Google Search Console Integration: Track rankings and find gaps
Reports and Analytics: Monitor content performance over time

For a full review, see our Outranking review.

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Outranking Pricing

Here’s what Outranking costs in 2026:

Plan	Price	Best For
Starter	$19/mo	Solo bloggers testing SEO content tools
SEO Writing	$79/mo	Freelancers and small content teams
SEO Wizard	$159/mo	Agencies and growing content operations
Custom Plan	Custom Pricing	Enterprises with large content inventories

Free trial: Yes, Outranking offers a free trial to test features.

Money-back guarantee: Contact support for refund policies.

💰 Best Value: SEO Writing plan — gives you 15 SEO documents per month with AI drafts and auto-optimization at a fair price.

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Outranking vs Alternatives

How does Outranking compare? Here’s the competitive landscape:

Tool	Best For	Price	Rating
Outranking	SERP-first AI content	$19/mo	⭐ 4
Surfer SEO	Content scoring and NLP	$79/mo	⭐ 4.5
NeuronWriter	Budget SEO writing	$19/mo	⭐ 4.2
MarketMuse	Enterprise content strategy	Free/$0+	⭐ 4.3
Frase	Quick content briefs	$45/mo	⭐ 4.3
Scalenut	Affordable AI writing	$20/mo	⭐ 4.1
SE Ranking	All-in-one SEO suite	$52/mo	⭐ 4.2
Page Optimizer Pro	On-page SEO focus	$37/mo	⭐ 4.1

Quick picks:

Best overall: Surfer SEO — strongest content scoring and NLP analysis
Best budget: NeuronWriter — full SEO writing features at $19 per month
Best for beginners: Frase — simple interface with fast content briefs
Best for content teams: Outranking — SERP-first approach with built-in workflows

🎯 Outranking Alternatives

Looking for Outranking alternatives? Here are the top options:

🚀 Surfer SEO: Industry leader in content scoring with real-time NLP analysis and SERP comparison tools.
💰 NeuronWriter: Budget-friendly SEO editor with content scoring, keyword suggestions, and AI writing at just $19 per month.
🏢 MarketMuse: Enterprise-grade content planning with topic modeling, content audits, and authority scoring for large teams.
⚡ Frase: Fast content briefs and AI writing with a simple interface that’s perfect for quick turnaround articles.
🎨 Scalenut: Affordable AI content platform with cruise mode that writes entire articles from a single keyword input.
🔧 SE Ranking: All-in-one SEO suite combining rank tracking, site audits, and content editing in one platform.
🎯 Page Optimizer Pro: Focused on-page SEO tool with detailed scoring and specific fix recommendations for each page.
💼 Dashword: Team-friendly content tool with shared briefs, real-time collaboration, and content monitoring features.
🧠 WriterZen: Keyword research and content creation in one tool with topic discovery and plagiarism checking built in.
📊 Content Harmony: Content brief tool with detailed SERP analysis, competitor outlines, and writing guidelines for teams.
👶 Rytr: Simple AI writing assistant for beginners with 40 plus use cases and a free plan to get started.
🌟 GetGenie: WordPress-based AI writer with built-in SEO scoring and keyword analysis starting at $6 per month.
🔥 Rankwell: SEO content tool focused on helping small businesses rank with guided writing and keyword suggestions.

For the full list, see our Outranking alternatives guide.

⚔️ Outranking Compared

Here’s how Outranking stacks up against each competitor:

Outranking vs Surfer SEO: Surfer has stronger NLP scoring. Outranking offers more AI writing and content brief features.
Outranking vs NeuronWriter: Both start at $19. NeuronWriter is simpler. Outranking has deeper SERP analysis.
Outranking vs MarketMuse: MarketMuse is built for enterprise teams. Outranking is better for small to mid-size teams.
Outranking vs Frase: Frase is faster for quick briefs. Outranking gives more detailed outlines and AI writing tools.
Outranking vs Scalenut: Scalenut’s cruise mode is faster. Outranking’s Concepts tool produces more factual content.
Outranking vs SE Ranking: SE Ranking is a full SEO suite. Outranking focuses only on content creation and scoring.
Outranking vs Page Optimizer Pro: POP is cheaper for on-page audits. Outranking adds AI writing and content briefs.
Outranking vs Dashword: Dashword is simpler for teams. Outranking has more advanced AI and SERP analysis features.
Outranking vs WriterZen: WriterZen has better keyword research. Outranking has better AI writing and auto-optimization.
Outranking vs Content Harmony: Both create great briefs. Outranking also writes the content. Content Harmony does not.
Outranking vs Rytr: Rytr is a basic AI writer. Outranking is a full SEO content platform with scoring and briefs.
Outranking vs GetGenie: GetGenie works inside WordPress. Outranking has its own editor with deeper SERP tools.
Outranking vs Rankwell: Rankwell is newer with fewer features. Outranking offers more mature tools and integrations.

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Start Using Outranking Now

You learned how to use every major Outranking feature:

✅ AI-Powered SEO
✅ AI SEO Writing
✅ SEO Briefs
✅ Content Strategy
✅ Plagiarism Removal
✅ Factual First Draft
✅ On-Page Optimization
✅ Google Search Console Integration
✅ Reports and Analytics

Next step: Pick one feature and try it now.

Most people start with AI-Powered SEO.

It takes less than 5 minutes.

Try Outranking now

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Outranking io?

Outranking.io is an AI-powered SEO content tool that helps you plan, write, and rank articles. It uses SERP data to guide your content creation. The tool scores your writing in real time against top-ranking pages. It works best for content marketers, SEO managers, and agencies.

What is the best AI tool for SEO?

The best AI SEO tool depends on your needs. Outranking is great for SERP-based content creation with factual AI drafts. Surfer SEO leads in NLP-based content scoring. Frase is fastest for content briefs. For budget options, NeuronWriter starts at $19 per month.

Will SEO be replaced by AI?

AI will not replace SEO. It changes how SEO work gets done. Tools like Outranking speed up research, writing, and scoring. But human judgment is still needed for strategy, brand voice, and fact-checking. AI is a tool that makes SEO faster, not a replacement.

What are the pros and cons of Outranking?

Pros include SERP-first AI writing, real-time SEO scoring, and direct WordPress publishing. The Concepts feature creates factual drafts that most AI tools cannot match. Cons include a learning curve for new users and limited keyword research compared to tools like Ahrefs. Customer support response times can also be slow.

How is AI affecting SEO?

AI is changing SEO by making content creation faster and more data-driven. Tools like Outranking analyze search results and generate content that matches what Google wants. AI also helps with keyword clustering, content audits, and scoring. The biggest shift is that content teams can now produce more without sacrificing quality.