Generating Articles
Yohaku uses an 8-step AI pipeline to generate high-quality Japanese SEO articles. This guide explains each step, how to configure your generation, and how to get the best results.
The 8-Step AI Pipeline
Every article goes through the following steps. In Auto mode, all steps run sequentially without pausing. In Manual mode, the pipeline pauses after each step so you can review and edit the output before continuing.
Keyword Research
Yohaku takes your seed keyword and queries the Google Suggest API (google.co.jp) to find related Japanese search terms. It identifies high-potential keywords with search volume and competition data.
Competitor Analysis
The AI analyzes the top 10 Google search results for your target keyword. It extracts titles, meta descriptions, headings (H2/H3), and content structure from competing articles.
Search Intent Analysis
Based on keyword research and competitor data, the AI determines the user's search intent (informational, navigational, commercial, transactional) and recommends the optimal content approach.
Article Outline
The AI creates a detailed outline including the title, meta description, H2/H3 heading structure, and key points to cover in each section. In Manual mode, you can reorganize or add sections.
First Draft
Using the outline and all previous research, the AI writes a complete first draft in natural, SEO-optimized Japanese. Product information is woven in naturally where relevant.
SEO Optimization
The AI reviews the draft for SEO best practices: keyword density, heading structure, internal linking opportunities, meta tags, and readability. It makes adjustments to improve the SEO score.
Quality Review
A final quality check ensures the article reads naturally, has no grammatical errors, and maintains consistent tone. The AI also verifies factual claims and product details.
Final Output
The completed article is formatted with proper HTML structure and ready for publishing. You can review the final version, make edits, and publish directly to Shopify or WordPress.
Choosing a Seed Keyword
The seed keyword is the starting point for your article. For best results:
- Use English keywords— Yohaku translates and researches the Japanese equivalents for you
- Be specific— "organic skincare routine for dry skin" works better than just "skincare"
- Think about your audience— what would a Japanese consumer search for when looking for your type of product?
- Include your product category— this helps the AI understand the context and generate more relevant content
Selecting Article Type
Yohaku supports two article types, each optimized for different goals:
Informational
Educational articles that answer questions and provide value. Best for top-of-funnel content that builds brand awareness and organic traffic. Examples: "How to choose the best sunscreen for sensitive skin" or "Guide to Japanese skincare routine."
Product Review
Articles that feature and review your products. Best for bottom-of-funnel content that drives conversions. The AI naturally incorporates your product details, benefits, and calls to action. Examples: "Top 5 organic face creams for winter" or "Brand X serum review."
Writing Instructions for the AI
You can provide custom instructions to guide the AI's writing style and focus. This is optional but can significantly improve results:
- Tone of voice— "Professional but approachable" or "Casual and friendly"
- Key selling points— specific product benefits to emphasize
- Competitor differentiation— what makes your product unique
- Target audience details— age group, interests, pain points
- Topics to avoid— any claims or comparisons you do not want
Selecting Products to Feature
When generating a Product Review article, you can select which products from your catalog to feature. The AI uses the product name, description, price, and URL to create natural product mentions and recommendations within the article.
Add products in Products from the sidebar before starting article generation, or import them automatically from Shopify.
Uploading Reference Documents
You can upload PDF documents as reference material for the AI. This is useful for:
- Product specification sheets
- Brand guidelines or tone-of-voice documents
- Research papers or data that should be referenced
- Existing content that the AI should align with
Editing Generated Articles
After generation is complete, you can edit the article directly in Yohaku's editor. The editor supports:
- Rich text editing with formatting toolbar
- Heading structure adjustments
- Adding or removing sections
- Inserting images and product links
- HTML view for advanced edits
All edits are saved automatically. You can also re-run specific pipeline steps if you want the AI to regenerate a section.
SEO Score Explained
Every generated article receives an SEO score from 0 to 100. The score is based on:
| Factor | Weight | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Keyword usage | 25% | Target keyword in title, headings, and body text |
| Content structure | 20% | Proper heading hierarchy (H1, H2, H3), paragraph length |
| Content length | 15% | Article word count compared to top-ranking competitors |
| Meta tags | 15% | Title tag length, meta description quality |
| Readability | 15% | Sentence variety, natural flow, no keyword stuffing |
| Topic coverage | 10% | Coverage of subtopics found in competitor articles |
Aim for a score of 80 or above for best results. Articles scoring below 60 may benefit from additional editing or re-running the SEO optimization step.