> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.rankability.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.rankability.com/copywriter/optimizing-existing-content.md).

# Optimizing existing content

Use **Optimize content** when a page is already published and you want to compare it with current search competitors before revising it. Optimize imports and analyzes the existing page; it does not create a second live page or publish changes automatically.

## Start an optimization

1. Select the client that owns the page.
2. Open **Create** to reach the **Projects** workspace.
3. Choose **Optimize content**.
4. Enter the **Target keyword** the existing page should be evaluated against.
5. Enter the public **Page URL**. Confirm that it is the exact page you intend to revise, not only the client homepage or domain.
6. Review the language, location, and research-source summary. Choose **Change** when you need to adjust them.
7. Select **Analyze my page** and approve the displayed estimate.

Google Organic is always included in the competitor research. Other available sources are optional. When the selected client has usable Google Search Console data, Rankability includes it automatically.

## What Rankability analyzes

Rankability retrieves the submitted page, researches current competing results for the target keyword, and prepares the project for review in the Copywriter editor. The completed project can include the imported content, content score, topics and entities, competitor evidence, and editor guidance supported by the available sources.

Optimization does not require a new content brief or a page-intent confirmation. The goal is to evaluate and improve the submitted page, not replace it with a separate new-content workflow.

## Review the result

1. Confirm that the imported page and target keyword are correct.
2. Review the content score as directional guidance, not a guarantee of rankings.
3. Compare the Topics and competitor evidence with the page's real purpose. Do not add an entity merely because a competitor mentioned it.
4. Make focused edits in the editor or ask Serena for a clearly scoped revision.
5. Review factual claims, links, brand voice, and the complete page before exporting or publishing.

The editor does not change the published page until you deliberately use an available publishing workflow or move the revised content into the destination yourself.

## Credits and duplicate work

A completed existing-content optimization consumes 400 credits. The reservation is released when the operation fails before producing the usable outcome. Research-source breadth changes the evidence collected, not the completed-outcome credit amount.

Before starting the same page and keyword again, return to **Projects** and check whether the original analysis is still processing or already completed. A separate successful optimization is a separate billable outcome.

## Troubleshooting

* **The page cannot be retrieved** — Confirm that the URL is public, uses HTTP or HTTPS, and is not blocked by authentication, a firewall, robots rules, or an unavailable origin.
* **The wrong language or market appears** — Open **Change**, correct the language or location, and verify the summary before starting.
* **Competitor evidence is limited** — Narrow or correct the target keyword and verify that it reflects the page's actual search intent.
* **The analysis appears stuck** — Check the project in **Projects** before retrying. Contact support with the client, URL, keyword, and time if the status does not advance.
* **The cost looks wrong** — Stop before repeating the action and compare the displayed amount with the [credit costs reference](/account-and-settings/credit-costs-reference.md).

## Related articles

* [Creating a content project](/copywriter/creating-a-content-project.md)
* [Content editor reference](/copywriter/content-editor-reference.md)
* [Understanding your content score](/copywriter/understanding-your-content-score.md)
* [Reviewing a draft in the editor](/copywriter/running-an-editor-review.md)
* [Exporting and publishing content](/copywriter/exporting-your-content.md)