SEO Keywords are the key phrases or queries web users use to find a website or landing page. As a webmaster for your website to appear in search engine results (SERPs), it needs to be optimized with these key phrases. In this article, we will take you through the following:
- Why keyword research is import
- How it has changed
- Different types of keywords
- Keyword intent
- How to do keyword research
- Tools for keyword research
Why is SEO keywords research important?
Keyword research is important for both the search engines and web users to find your website. It is also equally important for anything a webmaster does online. Without keyword research, you may miss out on potential new clients or retain existing web users. Whether someone is looking for information on blogging, search engine optimization, or online marketing, keyword research plays a part in being successful. With the right keywords, webmasters can have a better chance of targeting the right users for their website.
How Search Engines Have Changed Keyword Research
Ranking on page one was never this challenging. Previously, webmasters could simply insert their keywords randomly without making sense and appear on page one. It was more about how many times the keywords were used versus the quality of the content. However, this has changed drastically. Instead, with today’s Google algorithms, a webmaster will be penalized for such approaches.
SEO Keywords Research Today
Today more users are on their mobile devices. This has changed the way Google ranks content. As natural language plays a big role. With mobile technology, people can search by voice. This means people are searching by asking more questions as opposed to asking key phrases.
In response, Google is trying to answer these queries through answer boxes. This changes the way we use keywords. As it is no longer about a keyword containing one or two words, but rather long-tail key phrases. These long-tail key phrases are referred to as semantical keywords. These keywords contain three or more words and mean the same as simple key phrases. They are also more exact and are likely to answer a search query more directly.
Types of SEO Keywords
Webmasters may come across three different types of keywords. It is important to make use of all of them. These are:
- Head keywords – Usually contain 1 or 2 words and have a high search volume.
- Body keywords – Usually contain 2 or 3 words and have a medium or good search volume.
- Long-tail keywords (semantical keywords) – Usually contain four or more words and have a low search volume.
Latent Semantic Indexing
Latent semantic indexing (LSI) is where search engines such as Google use word associations to decide what a web user is looking for. These are where semantic keywords help webmasters and search engines provide more relevant content. A good example of finding (LSI) keywords is taking the keyword suggestions from Google. It is also a good idea to use these suggestions as headings for your landing pages.
Keyword Intent
User intent is understanding how web visitors use the keyword. This helps with understanding how to use keywords. There are four different types of keyword intents:
- Navigational – Users will search for a particular website or landing page. (Search for your website on the web)
- Informational – Users search for answers to questions. (Uses the content to find answers to their questions)
- Investigational – Users search for information that eventually leads to a transaction. (Comparing different items)
- Transactional – Users may be ready to buy. (They feel satisfied you are trustworthy to purchase the item)
Steps for Effective Keyword Research
- Brainstorm
- Start your keyword research with the terms you will use.
- Find related terms
- Use keywords you know are bringing traffic to your site. (Google Analytics and Google Search Console)
Google Analytics – Acquisition > All Traffic > Channels >and click on Organic Search - Use keyword generator tools
- Competitor analyses
Tools to Generate Keyword Ideas
- Ahrefs
- Answer the public
- Semrush
- LSIgraph
- SERPStat
- Google Search Console
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