The ParadoxSEO Framework

301 Aspects.
3 Gates.
1 Verdict.

A comprehensive SEO audit methodology that delivers commercial clarity, not just technical data.

Why Gate-Based Scoring?

Traditional SEO audits give you percentages. "Your site scores 73%." What does that mean? Is that good? Should you be worried?

Gate-based scoring tells you what actually matters: Can this site survive an algorithm update? Is the traffic value defensible? Should you proceed?

Critical Gate

11 aspects

ALL must pass

Fundamental issues that block SEO success. Any failure here means Grade F.

Essential Gate

22 aspects

>90% to proceed

Important factors for healthy SEO. Need 90%+ to achieve Grade B or higher.

Important Layer

14 aspects

>80% for Grade A

Optimization factors that separate good from great. 80%+ needed for Grade A.

Commercial Verdicts

Every audit delivers a clear verdict that non-technical stakeholders can understand and act on.

HEALTHY

Strong SEO foundation. Traffic value is defensible and diversified.

Grade A-B with no critical risks

CONDITIONAL

Proceed with caution. Value may be overstated due to branded traffic or concentration.

Grade A-C with moderate risks

AT RISK

SEO health needs attention. High concentration or significant gaps identified.

Grade C-D or high concentration

CRITICAL

Do not proceed without addressing fundamental issues. Significant value at risk.

Grade D-F or critical failures

16 Categories, 301 Aspects

Our framework covers every dimension of modern SEO, organized into Health, Competitive, and Operational categories.

INFHealth

Infrastructure

15 aspects

Server configuration, SSL, redirects, DNS, hosting infrastructure

SSL CertificateHTTPS Redirect
CWVHealth

Core Web Vitals

15 aspects

Google's user experience metrics that directly impact rankings

LCP (Largest Contentful Paint)CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift)
IDXHealth

Indexability

20 aspects

Can search engines find and index your content?

Robots.txtXML Sitemap
ARCHealth

Architecture

15 aspects

Site structure, URL hierarchy, internal linking patterns

URL StructureClick Depth
ONPHealth

On-Page

20 aspects

Page-level optimization signals

Title TagsMeta Descriptions
DEVHealth

Device

10 aspects

Mobile-first and cross-device experience

Mobile UsabilityViewport Configuration
VISCompetitive

Visibility

42 aspects

Organic traffic, rankings, and market share

Organic TrafficKeyword Rankings
ENTCompetitive

Entity

18 aspects

Brand recognition and entity signals

Knowledge PanelBrand Mentions
CNTCompetitive

Content

20 aspects

Content quality, depth, and topical authority

Content DepthTopical Coverage
INTCompetitive

Intent

15 aspects

Search intent alignment and funnel coverage

Intent MatchingFunnel Coverage
LNKCompetitive

Links

18 aspects

Backlink profile quality and authority

Domain RatingReferring Domains
LOCCompetitive

Local

15 aspects

Local SEO and Google Business Profile

GBP OptimizationLocal Citations
AEOCompetitive

AI Visibility

16 aspects

Optimization for AI search and LLM citations

AI Overview PresenceStructured Data
ICPCompetitive

Audience

10 aspects

Target audience alignment and engagement

Audience MatchEngagement Metrics
CTXCompetitive

Context

10 aspects

Market context and competitive landscape

Competitor GapMarket Position
GOVOperational

Governance

42 aspects

SEO program maturity and operational excellence

Process MaturityDocumentation

See the Framework in Action

Run your first audit and get a commercial verdict in minutes.