The keyword research process is constantly changing, and it can be hard to keep up with the latest trends. Here are some tips for doing keyword research in 2022.
1. Choosing a Keyword Research tool
While you can perform keyword research at a basic level using only Google, or Google’s keyword planner, it’s worth investing in a more comprehensive tool. Many different options are available, but some of the most popular include Semrush, Ahrefs, and Moz.
Ubersuggest is a recent addition to the keyword research tool lineup, and it is easier than the others to use. It gives a slew of fantastic features, such as seeing keywords that your competitors rank for to gain knowledge.
Keyword tools provide data such as the average search volume for a keyword, its cost per click value, and the level of competition. This information is beneficial when determining whether or not a keyword is worth targeting.
Keyword tools are not perfect, however. They often return inaccurate data, so it’s essential to use your best judgment when interpreting the results.
2. Start with the Long-Tail Keywords
When starting with keyword research, it’s a good idea to begin with the long-tail keywords. The long-tail keyword consists of a group of lower-volume keywords that are often more specific and easier to rank for than head terms.
If you try to rank for a broad keyword, you may never have enough domain authority to rank for that competitive term. In addition, people rarely use general keywords to search for something on Google.
Instead, try targeting a long-tail keyword. For example, if you’re a personal injury lawyer, you may want to target the keyword “personal injury lawyer near me.” This keyword is more specific than simply “personal injury lawyer,” and people will likely use it when searching for legal help.
Another advantage of targeting long-tail keywords is that they often convert better than head terms. People who use long-tail keywords are usually farther along in the buying process and are more likely to convert.
If you have a website that sells dog food, the head term would be “dog food.” A long-tail keyword could be “buy organic dog food online.” This keyword is more specific, and the person who types it into Google is likely closer to purchasing than someone who types in the head term.
3. Use Google Autocomplete to get keywords
One of the best ways to get keywords is to use Google autocomplete. Google’s autocompleting feature is a great way to get ideas for potential keywords. It provides a list of related phrases that people have typed into Google.
To use autocomplete, start typing a phrase into the Google search bar, and Google will provide a list of related words. You can then add these phrases to your list of potential keywords.
Keywords that populate on autosuggest are recent searches that people have made, so they can be a great way to find currently popular keywords.
If you have a keyword tool, you can enter the auto-suggest into your keyword to discover the critical data related to the keyword.
When you’re doing keyword research, look at the related searches section of Google. This section is located under the “searches related to” heading at the bottom of the search page.
The related searches section can provide a wealth of information about potential keywords. It shows you the types of searches that people are performing related to your original search.
It’s also important to note that the related searches section changes based on your targeting keyword. So, if you’re targeting a different keyword, the related searches section will be different.
5. People Also Ask Questions as Keywords
Google’s “People also ask” feature is a great way to find potential keywords. This feature is located in the SERP’s right-hand column and provides a list of questions people have asked about your target keyword.
The People also ask section can be a great source of inspiration for new keywords. It can also provide you with information about what people are interested in when it comes to your target keyword.
You can use this information to create content that answers these questions. This content can then be used to rank for the question-based keywords.
Questions are often less competitive than short keywords or phrases, so they can be a great way to get a young website ranking faster.
6. Keep an Eye on Trends
Trends are a great way to find potential keywords. They show you what topics are popular at any given time.
You can use Google Trends to find out how popular a keyword is and the trend for that keyword over time. This information can be helpful when choosing keywords to target.
7. Use SERP Features
Search Engine Results Pages (also known as “SERP”) features are the different elements that Google displays on the results page. These features can include Featured Snippets, carousels, images, and more.
When doing keyword research, you should pay attention to the different SERP features displayed for your target keyword. This information can give you an idea of the types of content you should create to rank for that keyword.
For example, suppose you’re targeting a keyword with a Featured Snippet (the snippet shown at the top of the search results page immediately following the ads and before position #1). In that case, you should create content that answers the question featured in the snippet. If you’re targeting a keyword with a carousel, you should create content optimized for visual content.
If you create a tutorial-style blog post, you may notice that videos appear in the SERP rather than articles. Therefore, it would stand to reason that you might want to create a video rather than, or in addition to, a text-based article.
8. Monitor Your Competitors
One of the best ways to find potential keywords is to monitor your competitors. This can be done using SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Ubersuggest.
These tools allow you to see the keywords that your competitors are targeting. You can then use this information to create content.
For example, if you are a real estate agent, you can enter a competing real estate website in the domain explorer bar. This will show you the keywords that the website is targeting. You can then use this information to create content that targets keywords you may have missed.
9. How To Use Keyword Data
Keyword Competition
When doing keyword research, consider the competition for that keyword. The competition for a keyword is significant because it will give you an idea of how difficult it will be to rank for that keyword.
Most new websites have difficulty competing for competitive keywords even if the content is fantastic. It’s best to target keywords with low competition because this will increase your chances of ranking for that keyword.
Keyword Value
Another thing to consider when doing keyword research is the value of that keyword. The value of a keyword is determined by the average cost per click (CPC) that advertisers are spending.
When you see higher CPC values, it indicates that the term has commercial worth, probably converting to sales.
Keyword Search Volume
The search volume is the number of people searching for that keyword each month. This number can give you an idea of how popular a keyword is.
Higher search volumes usually indicate that a keyword is more popular. However, not all high search volume keywords are valuable.
Many keywords have high search volumes, but the CPC is low because there isn’t much advertising competition for those terms.
Keyword Intent
The intent of a keyword is the action that the person intends to take when they type that keyword into Google. There are three types of intent:
- Informational Intent: The person is looking for information.
- Commercial Intent: The person is looking to buy something.
- Transactional Intent: The person wants to take action, such as signing up for a newsletter.
When doing keyword research, consider the intent of the keyword. This will help you determine what type of content you should create.
Some keyword research tools, like SEMrush, note the probable intent for a keyword in their reports.
Final Thoughts
Keyword research is an integral part of any SEO strategy. By targeting the right keywords, you can improve your website’s visibility and increase your chances of ranking higher in the search engines.
The tips in this post should help you find potential keywords for your website. However, it’s important to remember that the best way to find the right keywords is to experiment with different methods. Don’t be afraid to try out new things.
Good luck with your keyword research!
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