I-01 Every page must exist to serve a user need

Why it matters

Pages built only to catch rankings leave visitors without the answer, decision or task they came for. Google's guidance on helpful, people-first content and its Search Essentials both start from the user, so a page with no clear reader is weak for search engines and unhelpful as a source for AI answers. Defining the purpose first stops that failure before it is published.

How to implement

1. Write one sentence stating who the page is for and what it helps them do.
2. Answer who will use the page and which decision or problem it serves, and rework the page if you cannot.
3. Put the real information the user needs ahead of the CTA.
4. Remove or stop planning pages that chase trends unrelated to your main audience.

Checklist

• Write a one-sentence user purpose for each page.
• Answer the question: who will use this page, to make which decision or solve which problem?
• Complete the real information need before the CTA.
• Do not publish topics unrelated to your main audience just because they are trending.

How to audit

• Define the purpose of the page within the first 30 seconds.
• Ask whether the page would still be useful without Google traffic.
• Check that the user's main task is actually completed on the page.

Related controls

• I-02 The site's main purpose and topic focus must be clear P1
• I-03 A research packet must be prepared before writing strategic pages P1
• I-04 Primary intent and page type must be set using evidence P0
• I-12 The strategy problem must be solved before the writing problem P1
• I-05 Topic architecture must follow user tasks and journeys P1

Sources

• [G2] Creating helpful, reliable, people-first content
• [G1] Google Search Essentials