How to Do a Content Audit in a CMS
IntermediateQuick Answer
TL;DR
To do a content audit in a CMS, export your full content inventory using the CMS API or built-in reporting tools, evaluate each piece against criteria like accuracy, relevance, SEO performance, and brand alignment, then categorize content as keep, update, consolidate, or remove. Document findings in a spreadsheet or project management tool and create an action plan with owners, priorities, and deadlines.
Key Takeaways
- Use your CMS API to export a complete content inventory with metadata (publish date, author, URL, word count)
- Evaluate content against four criteria: accuracy, relevance, performance, and brand alignment
- Categorize every piece as keep, update, merge, archive, or delete
- Enrich your inventory with traffic and engagement data from Google Analytics or Search Console
- Assign owners and deadlines to each action item before the audit is considered complete