Do you know over 60% of top ranking pages are created using programmatic SEO on sites like Zapier, Yelp, and Nerdwallet.So,Are you a SaaS founder, marketer, or content strategist, wondering how to build thousands of SEO friendly pages without writing each one manually, then we have got you! This blog breaks down everything on how you can dominate the hyper specific search results with thousands of well structured pages.
Programmatic SEO is already powering much of the web, often without users even realizing it. It’s a powerful strategy that blends data, design, and user intent to generate scalable, search friendly content. From outside it might seem complex and technical. But once you understand the building blocks, you will see it’s less about size and more about structuring smart. And the organic traffic payoff? It feels completely worth the effort. Here is your programmatic SEO guide to rely on.
What is Programmatic SEO
Programmatic SEO is all about creating keyword-targeted pages automatically, or close to it. Basically, it is a shift from manually writing and publishing each and every page, one can generate thousands of SEO-optimised pages at scale. Companies like NerdWallet, TripAdvisor, and Indeed use it to attract millions of pageviews by targeting long-tail keywords to respond to user queries quickly.
These pages are typically built from structured data, using location info, product features, salary insights, or financial companions. All this data is basically plugged into pre-designed templates. These templates can be easily published on Google as individual pages strong enough to rank.
Now, this definitely helps if you have some web development skills. Of course, you need not be a developer to understand how Programmatic SEO works. Once you grasp the core idea, you’ll see just how powerful (and doable) it is.
In this article let us break this down and see how it works step-by-step.
Tools and Tech Stack for Programmatic SEO
You need the right tools even if you are new to developing or never been a developer to make the process smooth for building a programmatic SEO automation.
• Keyword Research: Ahrefs, Semrush, Keyword Insights
• Data Management: Airtable, Notion, Google Sheets
• Page Builders: Webflow CMS, WordPress + ACF, Framer
• Automation: Python, Google Apps Script, Make.com
• No-Code Friendly: Softr, Pory, Jetboost for Webflow
Real Examples of Programmatic SEO in Action
Programmatic SEO might sound like a new buzzword, but the idea has been around for a while. Have you ever interacted with brands like Amazon, Zapier, or tripAdvisor? Then you have already been familiar with programmatic pages.
These sites generate thousands of pages automatically based on data and long-tail keywords to target very specific user queries.
There are many niche platforms using this tactic apart from giants like Amazon. Let us look into a few:
Zapier’s app directory
| URL | https://zapier.com/apps |
| Pages | 100,000+ |
| Organic Traffic (monthly) | 1,200,000+ |
A prime example of programmatic SEO is the Zapier’s App Directory. This site generates thousands of integration pages for apps (individual and app pairing) such as Slack, Gmail+dropbox, Notion+Google Calendar, etc.
Each page there follows a structured template. Such templates pull in app details, cases, and automates the searches.
Wise’s currency conversion pages
| URL | https://wise.com/gb/currency-converter/usd-to-inr-rate |
| Pages | 12,000+ |
| Organic Traffic (monthly) | 4,667,719 |
TransferWise, now known as Wise, helps in converting users and sending money globally. This website has thousands of programmatic pages for every currency. Most widely used are USD to INR or EUR to GBP showing exchange rates, trends, and transfer options.
Airbnb’s Location & Property Listing Pages
| URL | https://www.airbnb.co.in/s/New-York–NY–United-States/homes |
| Pages | 7,000,000+ |
| Organic Traffic (monthly) | 55,000,000+ |
Airbnb also uses programmatic SEO to create dynamic pages for millions of listings across cities, neighborhoods and property types. These pages appear automatically based on various factors and are optimized well for ranking on queries such as “Studio Apartment with balcony”, “guest house in NY under budget”, etc.
Yelp’s Local Business pages
| URL | https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Restaurants&find_loc=Los+Angeles%2C+CA |
| Pages | 5,000,000+ |
| Organic Traffic (monthly) | 70,000,000+ |
Yelp is another one of the programmatic SEO examples. It generates dedicated pages for millions of businesses across cities, categories, and cuisines. Each of these pages include user reviews, business details, and rating. Hence, these are optimized for highly specific search intent.
How to Optimize for Programmatic SEO
Programmatic SEO can sound intimidating to start with. Platforms, we discussed, are using it widely. They all are leveraging complex systems pulling massive databases, syncing millions of data points, building internal links, and managing millions of URLs.
If you are planning to go for Programmatic SEO templates, here is how you can do it easily without even being a developer. The key is to opt for long-tail keywords and scalable templates. In fact, one can start smart, using the best programmatic SEO tools, identifying high volume keywords, mock up page designs, and even preparing a content framework is easier.
Here is step-by-step guide for brands to follow to create programmatic seo website:
Find Keywords
Start with finding the head terms, that is the categories you will try to rank for.
For example:
- Yelp will try to rank for gyms, restaurants, etc.
- Airbnb will try to rank for studio apartments, budgeted stays, etc.
These head terms usually are the ones with great volume. They are chosen to respond to the broad audience.
Once you are all set with what terms you want to go for. Use any keyword research tool and narrow down the high ranking keywords or easy to rank keywords you want to continue with.
Using Ahrefs or Google trends are the best way to get optimum results for programmatic SEO automation.
Check Search Intent
The next step of your programmatic seo strategy is to find modifiers that are to refine your keywords based on the user intent. Using head terms as it is can also be done but when you combine them with the modifiers chances to get better results grows exceptionally.
Using Google trends only, search for the modifiers’ search volume and pick out the ones you can use.
This is further divided into two categories: primary and secondary.
Here are some examples:
Clothes:
Primary – A whole new category
- clothes for children
- clothes for women
Secondary – further extends the primary category
- socks
- cheap clothes
- thrift stores
If you are looking for local SEO, the best tip is to use location as your secondary modifier.
Put it All Together
Once you’ve gathered all the needful head terms and modifiers, it’s time to bring it all together. Create a big, organized list of them all.
Many SEO pros use Python for this step, all thanks to the flexibility it brings in. Also, the fact that it’s pre-installed on most Macs. However, using any scripting language or tool you are comfortable with will get the job done. The ultimate goal here is to keep up with the structure, not complexity.
At this stage, focus on the clarity. Map out how those combinations could be scalable, intent driven and could bring results you require.
Pro tip: there is no bar on the numbers of keywords while opting for programmatic seo strategy.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Programmatic SEO
• No value or thin content or duplicate templates
• Poorly done internal linking structure
• Index bloat too many low value pages
• Not mapping content to user search intent
• Ignoring schema markup or structured data
How to Build Scalable Landing Pages
Before you start creating Landing pages, a thorough understanding of big players in the industry is also required. It is a great start point for any programmatic SEO ideas to know about who is already dominating the space.
For example, start by Googling the word “food delivery.” You’ll likely see various giants like Freshly, BlueApron, etc. ranking for the same. These are your SEO benchmarks, not just competitors.
After this use tools like SemRush, Ahrefs, etc. to dive deeper into your competitors’ strategy. Find out what they are ranking for, backlinks they have created, and what kind of title tags and UX features they are relying on.
Here are a few things you should keep in mind while creating your landing pages:
- Create pages at scale: you need thousands of pages and they all have to be different.
- Focus on search intent: look into “search related to” pop up by Google and plan your landing pages accordingly.
- Include elements like pictures, maps, reviews, sheets, etc. in all the pages.
- Follow Quora’s approach. Rank for the topics widely asked using Q&A forums.
- Two-sided marketing is another best one to choose for in programmatic SEO trends in 2025.
- Stay away from doorway pages. This is where you can get caught red handed. Build at scale but also keep it useful for the users.
Case Study: How We Scaled SEO for a SaaS Brand
At InspiringLads, we helped a SaaS client generate over 2k+ pages using a structured approach. This process led to a 10x increase in organic clicks within a few months. The strategy focused on targeting underserved long tail keywords and automating content population through Airtable and Webflow.
Wrapping Up: Programmatic SEO That Works
Creating programmatic SEO pages is not a cake walk. Any business aiming to grow organically at scale can benefit from programmatic SEO strategies, but only when it’s done right. At Inspiring Lads, we have built useful, well-structured, pages that not only rank but also convert with thoughtful strategies. Create a space for your brand to thrive with the landing pages that are scalable, and made to resolve user queries. Book your consultancy call today.
