7 Clever Ways to Do Keyword Research
In the digital marketing landscape, keyword research stands as a cornerstone of both SEO and content marketing strategies.
The process involves identifying popular words and phrases people enter into search engines, aiming to figure out what to rank for.
It’s not only about attracting visitors to your site but the right kind of visitors.
This guide will walk you through several ways to conduct keyword research, leveraging resources like Google, forums, online communities, and specific tools tailored for this task.
Chapters
What is Keyword Research?
At its core, keyword research is the process of understanding which words and phrases people use while searching for something online.
Knowing which terms to target can help businesses direct their marketing efforts more effectively by allowing them to create content focused on those topics that are likely to generate organic traffic.
By properly doing this process, you can get an idea of what kind of language your audience will be using when searching for a particular product, service, or topic related to your business.
Why is Keyword Research Important?
Keyword research is important because it helps you understand your target audience and what they are looking for.
It also provides insight into how potential customers think and behave when searching online. By understanding the terms people enter into search engines, you can create content that accurately reflects their needs and interests.
In addition, keyword research can help you optimize your website for search engine rankings, as well as determine the topics and content that will be most successful in driving traffic to your site.
To analyze the keyword density of your content effectively, consider using a reliable keyword density tool, such as the one recommended by experts.
Long-Tail Keyword Overview
Did you know that almost 95% of keywords have a volume of 10 monthly searches or less?
This SEO statistic comes from Ahrefs research, based on their database of 4 million keywords.
This is why it’s important to focus on long-tail keywords or phrases with 3+ words.
These are more specific queries people use in search engines and usually have lower competition levels than single-word keywords.
They can also help you target niche topics that may be overlooked by your competitors.
Keyword Research Strategies
Now that we have covered the basics of keyword research, let’s look at some strategies to help you get started.
Google Autocomplete
One of the most popular ways to do keyword research is using Google’s autocomplete feature.
Simply enter a seed keyword in the search box and watch as Google provides suggested searches based on what other people are searching for related to that topic.
For example, if you type “SEO” you’ll get suggestions like “SEO meaning”, “SEO services”, and “SEO ranking”.
Related Searches
Another great resource for keyword research is the related searches section at the bottom of every Google search result page.
These are queries that other people have searched for after typing in their original query, and can provide a valuable insight into what your target audience is interested in.
To explore further, simply click on one of the suggestions, such as “SEO keywords.”
This will lead you to discover even more valuable insights.
People Also Ask
According to Moz, approximately 8% of search queries are in the form of questions.
So, this is when the people also ask feature comes in handy.
You can find this section at the top of Google search results for many queries.
It contains a list of questions related to your original query that other people have asked in the past.
This can be useful to discover new ideas for content or to explore related keywords that you may not have thought of before.
As for the related searches function, if you click on one of the questions, this will lead to the discovery of even more valuable keywords.
Online Communities
Online communities (e.g. Reddit) are great resources for keyword research as they provide a platform for people to ask each other questions and share their knowledge.
By exploring these platforms, you can get an idea of what topics your target audience is interested in and what kinds of keywords they are likely to use when searching for answers.
For example, if you want to get some ideas on how to improve your SEO, a quick search on Reddit can reveal many useful resources submitted by users around the world.
You may even find threads discussing specific topics that you could use for keyword research.
The filter options are useful to check what is hot during a specific range of time or trending right now.
Quora is another great platform to explore for keyword research.
Just searching for your topic will give you an idea of what kind of questions people are asking and the type of language they use when talking about it.
For example, what are the best prop trading firms?
You can also check the related topics section if you want to create a content strategy around a broader theme or niche than what you initially searched for.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia is one of the most authoritative sources on the web and can be a great resource for keyword research.
Simply search for the topic and then look at the contents menu on the left-hand side.
This will provide you with an overview of related topics and keywords that are relevant to your search.
You can even use the “See Also” section at the bottom for further exploration, as well as the references for further reading.
Keyword Research Planner
Google’s Keyword Planner is a great tool for keyword research.
It provides valuable insights such as search volume, competition level, and related keywords.
You can also use the tool to create a list of potential topics you may want to write about based on what your target audience is looking for.
This will help you create content that is more targeted and relevant to their interests.
Keyword Surfer
Keyword Surfer is a free Chrome extension that allows you to see estimated search volume and related keywords for any query.
Just enter a term to see the related suggestions and search volume data.
The extension displays related terms, estimates competition levels for keywords, and provides data on average monthly searches.
But wait, there’s more!
It’s great for checking competitors in the SERPs, providing interesting data like estimated monthly traffic for the domain in your target country.
The number of words on each SERP result page can give you an idea of the amount of content you need to produce to outperform your competitors.
Final Words
Keyword research is a crucial step of any SEO strategy.
Following the strategies mentioned above can help you identify relevant and valuable terms that will improve your search engine performance and drive more traffic to your website.
However, it’s important to remember this is an ongoing process – so don’t forget to keep monitoring and refining your keywords.
This way, you can ensure that your content is always relevant and up to date.
FAQ
What is keyword research, and why is it important for SEO?
Keyword research is the process of identifying the terms and phrases people use in search engines to find information about a particular topic. It’s essential for SEO because it helps businesses understand what their target audience is searching for and tailor their content to match those queries, increasing the likelihood of ranking higher in search results.
What are the key steps involved in conducting keyword research?
The key steps in keyword research include brainstorming relevant topics, using keyword research tools to generate keyword ideas, analyzing search volume and competition, and selecting the most relevant and high-performing keywords for your content.
Which tools can be used for keyword research?
There are several tools available for keyword research, including Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz Keyword Explorer, and Ubersuggest. These tools provide valuable insights into keyword search volume, competition, and related keywords.
How can Google Keyword Planner help with keyword research?
Google Keyword Planner is a free tool that allows users to discover new keywords, analyze search volume trends, and estimate keyword competition. It’s an excellent resource for identifying relevant keywords and understanding their search volume and competition levels.
What role does competition analysis play in keyword research?
Competition analysis helps identify keywords that are not overly competitive but still have decent search volume. By analyzing competitor websites and their keyword strategies, businesses can uncover valuable keyword opportunities and refine their own keyword targeting.
How can long-tail keywords benefit keyword research?
Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific keyword phrases that typically have lower search volume but higher conversion rates. They are valuable for keyword research because they can help businesses target niche audiences and capture highly relevant traffic with less competition.
What factors should be considered when selecting keywords for content optimization?
When selecting keywords for content optimization, businesses should consider factors such as search volume, relevance to their target audience, competition level, and user intent. It’s essential to choose keywords that align with the content’s topic and purpose to maximize SEO effectiveness.
How can keyword research help with content planning and creation?
Keyword research provides insights into the topics and questions that are relevant to the target audience. By identifying high-performing keywords, businesses can create content that addresses the needs and interests of their audience, increasing the likelihood of attracting organic traffic and engagement.
What are some advanced keyword research techniques businesses can use?
Advanced keyword research techniques include analyzing keyword trends over time, identifying seasonal or trending keywords, conducting competitor keyword analysis, and leveraging semantic keyword research to uncover related topics and queries.
How can businesses ensure their keyword research aligns with their SEO goals?
Businesses should align their keyword research with their SEO goals by focusing on keywords that are relevant to their target audience, have reasonable search volume, and align with their content strategy. It’s essential to prioritize keywords that have the potential to drive organic traffic and conversions.
What role does user intent play in keyword research and content optimization?
User intent refers to the reason behind a user’s search query and the desired outcome of their search. Understanding user intent is crucial for keyword research and content optimization because it helps businesses create content that meets the needs and expectations of their target audience.
How can businesses incorporate keyword research into their overall SEO strategy?
Businesses can incorporate keyword research into their overall SEO strategy by using targeted keywords in their website content, meta tags, headings, and URLs. It’s essential to optimize both on-page and off-page elements for selected keywords to improve search engine visibility and rankings.
What are some common keyword research mistakes to avoid?
Common keyword research mistakes include focusing solely on search volume without considering relevance, targeting overly competitive keywords, neglecting long-tail keywords, and failing to analyze user intent. It’s essential to conduct thorough research and prioritize quality over quantity when selecting keywords.
How often should businesses conduct keyword research?
Businesses should conduct keyword research regularly to stay updated on changes in search trends, user behavior, and competitor strategies. It’s recommended to perform keyword research at least quarterly or whenever launching new content or campaigns.
What metrics should businesses track to measure the success of their keyword research efforts?
Key metrics to track include keyword rankings, organic search traffic, click-through rates (CTR), conversion rates, and engagement metrics such as time on page and bounce rate. By monitoring these metrics, businesses can assess the effectiveness of their keyword research efforts and make data-driven optimizations to improve SEO performance.
About the Author
Erik Emanuelli has been in the online marketing game since 2010. He’s now sharing what he has learned about SEO and blogging on his website.
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