Local/National SEO Expert SEO Medical Content Writer — AI-Assisted SEO & Editorial Specialist
Worldwide
SEO Medical Content Writer — AI-Assisted SEO & Editorial Specialist We are looking for an SEO-focused medical content writer/editor to produce approximately 10 high-quality medical and health articles per month across two separate but related websites. This is an ongoing freelance position for someone who understands that modern content production is not just about writing. We want someone who can combine keyword research, competitor analysis, search intent, SEO structure, AI-assisted writing, internal linking, topical authority, medical fact-checking, and editorial quality control. Our current editorial system already emphasizes keyword research, search intent, competitor review, proper heading structure, internal links, fact-checking, and human editing of AI-generated content. Compensation: $20 per completed and approved article Volume: Approximately 10 articles per month initially Work Type: Remote / Freelance / Ongoing We may begin with a small paid test article before assigning ongoing work. Strong writers may receive additional assignments as the two content libraries grow. This Is an SEO Position — Not Just a Writing Position We are not looking for someone who simply types a topic into ChatGPT, generates 1,500 words, and sends it to us. AI should make the process faster. Your value is knowing what to research, what to ask AI, what keywords to target, how to structure the content, what information is missing, what should internally link together, what needs to be verified, and how to turn the result into a publication-ready article. We want someone who understands: Keyword research Search intent SERP analysis Competitor research Content-gap analysis Long-tail keyword strategy Semantic SEO Topical authority Content clusters H1/H2/H3 structure Featured snippet optimization Internal linking On-page SEO E-E-A-T concepts Medical/YMYL content standards AI-assisted research and writing Generative Engine Optimization / AI search Human editing and quality control The existing editorial standard requires articles to follow a consistent framework while still being customized to the keyword and search intent. What You Will Do for Every Article 1. Perform Keyword Research Before writing an article, determine: Primary keyword Secondary keywords Long-tail keywords Related search phrases Semantic terms Search volume when available Keyword difficulty when available Search intent Related questions Supporting topics Possible content-cluster opportunities Existing articles that should receive internal links New supporting articles we should consider creating Example Instead of simply being assigned: Topic: Migraine A good SEO writer might identify: Primary keyword: Can migraines cause dizziness? Secondary keywords: migraine dizziness vestibular migraine symptoms migraine and vertigo dizziness before migraine headache and dizziness causes Related questions: Can you have a vestibular migraine without a headache? How long does migraine-related dizziness last? What does vestibular migraine feel like? When should dizziness with a headache be evaluated? That research then determines the article structure. 2. Determine Search Intent Do not simply target a keyword because it has search volume. Ask: What does the person typing this query actually want to know? For example: Keyword Can asthma cause chest pain? The searcher probably wants to know: Whether asthma can actually cause chest discomfort What asthma-related chest tightness feels like Whether it may be something more serious What other conditions can cause similar symptoms When medical evaluation may be appropriate Those questions should shape the article. The article should answer the core query near the beginning, rather than hiding the answer beneath a long generic introduction. This is part of our existing editorial standard. 3. Review the Search Results and Competitors Before drafting important articles, review several pages ranking for the target query. Evaluate: Page titles Search intent H1 H2/H3 structure Topics covered Questions answered Information competitors repeat Information competitors overlook Medical depth Featured snippets People Also Ask questions Tables Lists FAQs Content length Quality of sources Internal linking Weak explanations Outdated information The objective is not to copy competitors. We want to understand what Google already considers relevant and determine how we can create something more useful. Example Suppose the target keyword is: Why does my knee hurt when going down stairs? Competitors may repeatedly discuss: Patellofemoral pain Osteoarthritis Meniscus problems Tendon irritation But they may poorly explain why descending stairs places different forces on the knee than walking on flat ground. That could become an opportunity for our article to provide a clearer explanation. 4. Identify Content Gaps We expect you to find opportunities—not just follow an assignment word for word. Ask: What did competitors leave unanswered? Can we explain something more clearly? Is there a useful comparison competitors missed? Would a table help? Is an important patient question missing? Could we target a featured snippet? Is there another long-tail keyword worth including? Should we create a supporting article? Is there a relevant internal-link opportunity? Example Article: Can acid reflux cause coughing? A basic article may explain that reflux can cause coughing. A better content strategy may also identify supporting articles such as: Why acid reflux gets worse at night GERD vs. heartburn Can reflux cause a sore throat? What causes chronic coughing? Silent reflux symptoms Now one article helps build an entire digestive-health content cluster. 5. Build Content Clusters We do not want 100 unrelated blog posts. We want groups of articles that establish topical authority. Example: Migraine Content Cluster Pillar Topic: Migraine Guide Supporting Articles: Migraine vs. headache Can migraines cause dizziness? Migraine with nausea Migraine aura symptoms Can migraines cause neck pain? Vestibular migraine Migraine triggers How long can a migraine last? Migraine vs. sinus headache Articles should logically link to one another. Example: Knee Pain Content Cluster Pillar Topic: Causes of Knee Pain Supporting Articles: Knee pain when walking Knee pain going downstairs Knee pain when standing up Pain behind the knee Knee swelling without injury Osteoarthritis symptoms Meniscus injury symptoms Patellofemoral pain When knee pain should be evaluated Example: Sleep Content Cluster Pillar Topic: Sleep Disorders and Sleep Health Supporting Articles: Signs of sleep apnea Can sleep apnea cause headaches? Why do I wake up tired? Snoring vs. sleep apnea Can sleep apnea cause high blood pressure? Daytime fatigue causes What happens during a sleep study? The writer should understand: Pillar Page → Supporting Articles → Long-Tail Articles → FAQs → Relevant Service/Conversion Pages 6. Understand Semantic SEO Do not simply repeat the exact keyword 20 times. Good medical SEO requires natural coverage of related entities, concepts, symptoms, anatomy, treatments, and terminology. Example An article targeting: Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome might naturally include terms such as: Median nerve Wrist Numbness Tingling Thumb Index finger Middle finger Grip weakness Nighttime symptoms Hand pain Nerve compression That gives search engines and AI systems more context than repeatedly saying "carpal tunnel symptoms." 7. Optimize for Traditional Search + AI Search We want articles structured for both conventional search engines and modern AI answer systems. This includes visibility in environments such as: Google Search Google AI search experiences ChatGPT Gemini Perplexity Other AI answer engines We are interested in writers familiar with AI SEO / Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). This does not mean stuffing content with special "AI keywords." It means producing pages that are: Clearly organized Direct Factually accurate Semantically complete Easy to parse Well sourced Entity-rich Written with descriptive headings Structured around questions Capable of providing concise answers Supported by authoritative references 8. Use a Consistent Editorial Structure Unless a topic requires a different format, articles should generally follow this structure: Primary Keyword Secondary Keywords Related/Long-Tail Keywords Search Intent SEO Title Meta Description Suggested URL Slug H1 Medical Reviewer Header Quick Answer Key Points Table of Contents when useful Main Article H2 Sections H3 Subsections Lists/Tables when useful Internal Links FAQs Appropriate CTA Medical Reviewer Section References / Sources Medical reviewer information and required formatting will be provided. Do not invent, change, or add reviewer credentials. 9. Write a Strong Quick Answer Most articles should answer the principal query immediately. Example Can Allergies Cause Headaches? Quick Answer Allergies may contribute to headaches in some people, particularly when nasal congestion and sinus pressure are present. However, many headaches blamed on allergies may actually be migraine or another type of headache, so the symptoms and pattern matter. Then expand into: How Allergies May Contribute to Headaches What Does an Allergy-Related Headache Feel Like? Allergy Headache vs. Migraine Other Causes of Headache and Nasal Congestion When Should You Seek Medical Evaluation? Frequently Asked Questions This is much stronger than beginning with: "Millions of people suffer from allergies every year. In today's fast-paced world, understanding allergies is important..." We do not want filler. 10. Use Key Points Where appropriate, include 3–5 short takeaways. Example Can High Blood Pressure Cause Headaches? Key Points Mild or moderate hypertension often causes no obvious symptoms. Extremely elevated blood pressure may occur with headache and other symptoms. Headache alone cannot determine whether blood pressure is high. Blood pressure measurement is necessary to know the actual reading. Severe headache with concerning symptoms may require urgent medical evaluation. The goal is to communicate useful information quickly. 11. Use Proper Heading Structure You should understand basic heading hierarchy. H1: Main article title H2: Major sections H3: Subtopics contained within an H2 Example What Causes Tingling in the Hands? Common Causes of Hand Tingling Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Cervical Radiculopathy Peripheral Neuropathy Ulnar Nerve Compression How Doctors Evaluate Hand Tingling When Should You Seek Medical Attention? Do not randomly assign headings based on appearance. Do not use multiple H1s. 12. Internal Linking Is Required Internal linking is a major part of this position. Each article should generally contain approximately 3–8 relevant internal links, depending on the topic and length. Example Suppose you are writing: Can diabetes cause tingling in the feet? Potential internal links could point to existing articles about: Peripheral neuropathy Diabetes symptoms Foot numbness Causes of burning feet Nerve pain Blood glucose When numbness requires evaluation Good Anchor Text "Peripheral neuropathy can also cause burning, numbness, or tingling in the feet." Poor Anchor Text "Click here to learn more." Internal links must be: Relevant Contextual Natural Descriptive Do not add links simply to reach a quota. 13. Two Related Websites — Do Not Duplicate Content You will be creating content for two separate but related health websites. They may sometimes cover overlapping medical subjects. However, Website B should not simply contain a ChatGPT rewrite of Website A. For example, if Website A has: Can Dehydration Cause Headaches? Website B does not necessarily need: Does Being Dehydrated Cause a Headache? That may simply compete with or duplicate the same intent. Instead, Website B might target: Signs of Dehydration in Adults or: Why Do I Get a Headache After Exercising? The subjects are related, but the search intent is distinct. For the two sites, consider differences in: Primary keyword Search intent Article angle Audience Supporting questions Content clusters Internal links SERP competition Our existing editorial system specifically requires the two blogs to maintain distinct keyword targets, search intents, article angles, content clusters, and internal links rather than lightly rewriting the same material. 14. Avoid Keyword Cannibalization Writers should understand when multiple articles are actually targeting the same search intent. For example: What causes lower back pain? Causes of low back pain Why does my lower back hurt? Common reasons for lower back pain These may not need four independent articles. Sometimes a single strong article is the better strategy. We want you to recognize these situations and tell us. 15. Medical Fact-Checking Is Mandatory This is medical/health content. Accuracy matters. Preferred sources include: Peer-reviewed medical research Medical journals NIH CDC Federal government agencies Professional medical societies Academic medical centers Established clinical guidelines Appropriate state or federal authorities when the topic involves regulations Our editorial requirements specifically call for medical information to be fact-checked and prioritize peer-reviewed research, medical journals, government agencies, professional organizations, academic institutions, and established guidelines. 16. Never Trust AI Citations Without Verification ChatGPT and other AI systems can generate convincing but incorrect information. Never invent or submit: Medical studies Authors Journal articles Statistics Prevalence figures Diagnostic criteria Regulations Citations References Government requirements If AI tells you: "A 2022 Harvard study found that 73% of patients..." you must independently confirm that the study exists and actually supports the statement. If you cannot verify it, do not use it. 17. Use ChatGPT Efficiently We encourage AI-assisted content production. ChatGPT can help with: Keyword brainstorming Search-intent analysis Long-tail ideas Competitor-content analysis Content-gap brainstorming Outlines Drafts Alternative headings FAQ ideas Definitions Simplifying medical language Semantic terms Metadata Editing Reorganization Proofreading But the expected workflow is: Keyword Research → Search Intent → SERP Analysis → Content Gap → Outline → AI-Assisted Draft → Fact-Check → Internal Linking → SEO Optimization → Human Edit → Final Quality Review Our current editorial guidelines already require manually reviewing AI-generated content and place responsibility for accuracy and final quality on the writer. 18. Avoid Thin AI Content We do not want: Generic introductions Artificial word count Repeated paragraphs Rewritten versions of the same article Keyword-swapped pages Duplicate FAQs Filler Overly broad articles Repetitive conclusions Unsupported claims Sections that add no value AI writing that was never edited A 1,000-word article that completely satisfies the query may be better than a 2,500-word article filled with repetition. Quality and search intent matter more than arbitrary word count. 19. Avoid Obvious AI Writing Patterns Remove phrases and patterns such as: "In today's fast-paced world..." "It's important to note..." Excessive "Furthermore" Excessive "Additionally" Excessive "Moreover" Repeated conclusions Excessive em dashes Generic summaries Artificial transitions Repetitive sentence structures Keyword stuffing The final article should sound like it has been edited by an experienced human writer. 20. Write for People First Medical articles should generally be understandable by the average consumer. Write: "A pinched nerve in the neck can sometimes cause tingling that travels into the arm or hand." instead of unnecessarily writing: "Cervical nerve root impingement may produce distal upper-extremity paresthesias secondary to radicular pathology." Use medical terminology when appropriate, but explain it in normal language. 21. Use FAQs Strategically Most articles should contain approximately 4–8 relevant FAQs, when FAQs genuinely add value. They should reflect: Long-tail searches Related questions Common concerns People Also Ask queries Follow-up questions generated by the primary search intent Example Article: Why Does My Shoulder Hurt When I Sleep? Possible FAQs: Can sleeping on your side cause shoulder pain? Why is shoulder pain worse at night? Can rotator cuff problems cause nighttime pain? Should I sleep on the painful shoulder? When should nighttime shoulder pain be evaluated? Do not create the same generic FAQs for every article. 22. Think About Featured Snippets Where appropriate, structure portions of the article in ways that can provide direct answers. This may include: Short definitions Numbered steps Bullet lists Comparison tables Concise question-and-answer sections Example What are common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome? Numbness or tingling in the thumb and fingers Symptoms that worsen at night Hand weakness Difficulty gripping objects Burning or electric sensations in the hand Then explain each point in more detail below. 23. Understand AI-Friendly Content Structure AI answer engines often benefit from pages that clearly establish: Entity → Definition → Relationship → Supporting Evidence → Context For example: What Is Sciatica? Define it. What Causes Sciatica? Explain the relationship between nerve irritation and symptoms. Where Is Sciatica Pain Felt? Describe the typical pattern. Sciatica vs. General Back Pain Clarify the distinction. When Should Sciatica Be Evaluated? Provide useful context. This is preferable to a loosely organized 2,000-word essay. 24. Structured Data Awareness You do not necessarily need to implement schema code, but familiarity with structured data is beneficial. Understand how content may support: Article schema Breadcrumbs Organization information Author/reviewer information FAQ content where appropriate Other relevant structured data Experience with schema markup is a plus. 25. Image SEO Awareness When appropriate, recommend useful images or graphics. Examples: Anatomy diagram Symptom-location diagram Comparison chart Step-by-step illustration Treatment overview Educational infographic Provide useful: Image concept Suggested filename Alt text Alt text should describe the image naturally and should not be keyword stuffed. 26. Medical Reviewer Information Medical articles will contain standardized reviewer information. The medical reviewer name, credentials, biography, and exact formatting will be provided. Your responsibility is to place the supplied information correctly and consistently. Do not invent or modify credentials. Example of the Editorial Quality We Want We like the general organization used by strong consumer-health publishers: clear questions, direct answers, logical subsections, medical review, useful FAQs, and authoritative sources. Do not copy another publisher's language. Example Article Can Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Cause Arm Pain? Medical Review Information — Supplied Quick Answer Carpal tunnel syndrome primarily affects the median nerve at the wrist and commonly causes numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness in the hand. Some people also describe discomfort extending into the forearm, although pain higher in the arm may have other causes. Key Points Carpal tunnel syndrome involves compression of the median nerve at the wrist. Symptoms commonly affect the thumb, index, middle, and part of the ring finger. Symptoms often become worse at night. Arm symptoms can have several possible causes. Examination or nerve testing may sometimes be needed to distinguish among them. What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Clear explanation. What Does Carpal Tunnel Feel Like? Patient-friendly description. Can Carpal Tunnel Pain Travel Into the Arm? Directly answer the target query. What Other Conditions Can Cause Arm and Hand Tingling? Cervical Radiculopathy Explanation. Ulnar Neuropathy Explanation. Peripheral Neuropathy Explanation. Carpal Tunnel vs. Pinched Nerve in the Neck Useful comparison. Feature Carpal Tunnel Cervical Radiculopathy Main location Wrist/hand Neck/arm Common symptoms Numbness, tingling Pain, numbness, weakness Nerves involved Median nerve Cervical nerve root Neck pain Usually absent May be present How Is Carpal Tunnel Evaluated? Explain history, examination, and possible testing. When Should Someone Seek Medical Evaluation? Provide balanced guidance. Frequently Asked Questions Can carpal tunnel cause shoulder pain? Why is carpal tunnel worse at night? Can carpal tunnel affect both hands? Can a neck problem feel like carpal tunnel? Medical Reviewer Provided standardized information. References Authoritative medical sources. That is the type of article structure we want: focused query + direct answer + proper SEO structure + meaningful medical depth + internal-link opportunities + FAQs + authoritative sources. Another Example: Building a Topic Cluster Assume keyword research finds strong interest around ankle swelling. Instead of publishing one generic article, we might create: Pillar Article Swollen Ankles: Common Causes and When to Seek Care Supporting Articles Why do my ankles swell at night? Can high blood pressure cause swollen ankles? Can heart problems cause ankle swelling? Why is only one ankle swollen? Ankle swelling after a flight Can medications cause swollen ankles? Swollen feet vs. swollen ankles Leg swelling after standing all day Each article should answer a distinct search intent. They should then internally link where useful. This is the level of SEO thinking we are looking for. Standard Article Submission Format Each article should normally be delivered in this order: SEO Research Primary Keyword: [Keyword] Secondary Keywords: [Keywords] Long-Tail Opportunities: [Queries] Search Intent: [Informational / commercial / comparison / etc.] Suggested Related Articles: [Relevant opportunities] Metadata SEO Title: [Title] Meta Description: [Description] Suggested Slug: [Slug] Article H1 Medical Reviewer Header Quick Answer Key Points Main H2 H3 Additional H2 Frequently Asked Questions CTA Medical Reviewer References Final SEO Quality Checklist Before submitting every article: Primary keyword researched Secondary keywords identified Long-tail keywords considered Search intent identified SERP reviewed Competitor pages reviewed Content gaps identified Semantic topics included naturally Cannibalization checked SEO title written Meta description written Suggested slug included One H1 used H2/H3 hierarchy is correct Quick Answer included when appropriate Key Points included when appropriate Primary query answered early No keyword stuffing Article provides meaningful depth 3–8 useful internal links included when appropriate Anchor text is descriptive Supporting content opportunities identified Medical claims fact-checked Statistics verified Studies verified Authoritative sources used FAQs reflect actual search intent CTA fits the article Medical reviewer information placed correctly Grammar checked Spelling checked AI output manually edited No fabricated citations No fabricated research No unsupported claims No thin content No duplicate content Not simply rewritten from the second website Final article is publication-ready Required Experience You should have a strong understanding of: SEO content strategy SEO writing Keyword research Search intent SERP analysis Competitor analysis Content gaps Internal linking On-page SEO Semantic SEO Content clusters Topical authority AI-assisted content workflows ChatGPT Medical research Fact-checking Editing AI-generated writing Medical, healthcare, wellness, or other YMYL writing experience is strongly preferred. SEO Tools Experience with tools such as the following is preferred: Ahrefs Semrush Google Search Console Google Analytics Screaming Frog Keyword research platforms Content optimization tools AI/GEO research tools Experience with programmatic SEO, large content libraries, automation, or scalable content operations is a plus. Be Proactive We do not want someone who simply waits for a title and writes it. If you discover: A better keyword A stronger angle A long-tail opportunity A weak existing article A missing internal link A content gap A new cluster opportunity Keyword cannibalization A better H1 A featured snippet opportunity A useful comparison page An FAQ opportunity tell us. We want someone who thinks like an SEO editor/content strategist, not simply a freelancer completing word counts. Production Expectations Approximately 10 articles per month initially across two separate but related medical websites. We want to build a repeatable system that can ultimately support a much larger medical-content library while maintaining high editorial standards. Compensation $15 per completed and approved article. We may begin with a small paid test project. Submitted articles should be essentially ready for publication. Minor revisions may be requested. Continued work will depend on: SEO quality Accuracy Reliability Attention to detail Ability to follow the editorial structure Ability to work efficiently with AI Ability to improve the content strategy proactively To Apply Please answer the following questions: What experience do you have writing SEO content? Have you written medical, healthcare, wellness, or other YMYL content? What SEO tools do you currently use? How do you perform keyword research before writing an article? How do you determine search intent? How do you analyze competitors? How do you identify content gaps? How do you decide which pages should internally link to one another? How would you build a topic cluster around a broad medical topic such as migraine, knee pain, sleep apnea, or diabetes? How do you prevent AI-assisted articles from becoming thin, repetitive, or generic? How do you fact-check medical information generated by ChatGPT? What experience do you have with AI SEO / GEO or optimizing content for ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Google AI search? Have you worked with large content libraries, programmatic SEO, or scalable content production? Please provide 2–3 examples of SEO articles you have produced, if available. Confirm that you understand the rate is $15 per completed and approved article and approximately 10 articles per month initially. Please begin your application with the words “Medical SEO” so we know you read the entire job description. We want someone who understands that ChatGPT can make writing faster, but the competitive advantage comes from keyword strategy, search intent, topical authority, content structure, factual accuracy, internal linking, editorial judgment, and consistent execution.
$20.00
Fixed-price- ExpertExperience Level
- Remote Job
- Ongoing projectProject Type
Skills and Expertise
Activity on this job
- Proposals:20 to 50
- Interviewing:0
- Invites sent:0
- Unanswered invites:0
About the client
- United StatesSanta Cruz8:57 AM
- $87K total spent166 hires, 21 active
- 4,804 hours
Explore similar jobs on Upwork
How it works
Create your free profileHighlight your skills and experience, show your portfolio, and set your ideal pay rate.
Work the way you wantApply for jobs, create easy-to-by projects, or access exclusive opportunities that come to you.
Get paid securelyFrom contract to payment, we help you work safely and get paid securely.
About Upwork
- 4.9/5(Average rating of clients by professionals)
- G2 2021#1 freelance platform
- 49,000+Signed contract every week
- $2.3BFreelancers earned on Upwork in 2020
Find the best freelance jobs
Growing your career is as easy as creating a free profile and finding work like this that fits your skills.
Trusted by