> 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

Analyze a published page against its target keyword and current competitors, then improve the imported content in Copywriter.

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.

To optimize several published pages in one pass, start the multiple-asset flow and choose **Optimize existing pages** instead of **Create new content**. Give each row the page URL and the target keyword to measure it against — up to ten rows, typed in or pasted as keyword-and-URL pairs, one per line separated by a tab or comma. Confirm the language that applies to the batch, and each page becomes its own optimization project. Rankability starts them a few at a time and tells you if some rows could not start.

## 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.

## Usage and duplicate work

A completed existing-content optimization is included in full-platform pooled usage. Failed work does not create completed activity. Research-source breadth changes the evidence collected and can increase usage impact.

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 completed usage event.

## 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 usage impact looks wrong** — Stop before repeating the action and review the selected scope and [usage limits 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)