Keyword Research for SEO and Keyword Types: A Simple Guide
Keyword Research for SEO: Keyword research is the most crucial step in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to increase your site rank on search engines. It helps in knowing what types of keywords your target audience is typing, so you can create the content that gets on top of the SERP and gets them to your website.
This post covers just the basic concepts you need to know to get started with keyword research for SEO and how to know what types of keywords you should focus on ranking for.
What is keyword research for SEO?
Keyword research for SEO helps you discover words and phrases that people would input in a search engine while trying to access some information or details related to the content on your website. It is upon the keywords identified to create content with the proper keyword strategy so as to attract the right kind of audience into the site.
Using the type of keywords applied to your understanding allows you to formulate content for use on the websites. In doing this, several types of keywords are usually utilized.
Read more: How to Generate Traffic Using Only Free Methods
Types of Keywords You Should Target
There are various types of keywords you can target in your SEO strategy. Let’s break them down to help you understand which ones you should focus on.
- Informational Keywords
Informational keywords are the first type of keywords you should target. These are searches where users are looking for information, answers, or solutions to their problems. For example:
- “What is SEO?”
- “How to do keyword research?”
- “What is keyword density in SEO?”
These keywords are usually attractive to those who want to study or to solve a specific problem. Generating content based on informational keywords can build audience trust and position your website as a doyen in your field. Keywords could be informative but not necessarily lead to conversion at once, but they are critical to gain the visitor to your website.
- Navigational Keywords
Navigational keywords are used when someone is looking for a specific website or page. They already know what they want, and they use keywords to find that specific page. For example:
- “Facebook login”
- “YouTube homepage”
Though these keywords don’t always apply to every website, understanding and optimizing for them can help people find your specific content more easily.
Read more: What Effect Does SEO Have on Your Search? A Complete Guide
- Transactional Keywords
Transactional keywords are used when a user is ready to make a purchase or take action. These users are typically in the buying phase. Examples include:
- “Buy hiking backpacks online.”
- “Best backpack for travel”
These keywords indicate a strong intent to convert, meaning the person is likely ready to buy. Creating high-quality commercial content, such as product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations based on transactional keywords, will help you drive conversions and increase affiliate sales.
- Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are more specific and usually contain more than three words. For example:
- “Best waterproof hiking backpacks for under $100”
- “Best travel backpacks for women with laptop compartments”
Although these keywords have lower search volume compared to short-tail keywords, they are easier to rank for. They also tend to bring more qualified traffic to your website, as users are often searching for exactly what you offer.
- Short-Tail Keywords
Short-tail keywords are broader and more general phrases. Examples include:
- “Backpacks”
- “Travel backpacks”
These keywords have a high search volume, but they are also highly competitive. Ranking for short-tail keywords is challenging, but targeting them along with more specific long-tail keywords can help you improve your rankings over time.
How to Perform Keyword Research for SEO
Now that you understand the different types of keywords, let’s explore how to perform keyword research for SEO.
- Use a Keyword Research Tool: Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush allow you to find keywords related to your niche, see search volumes, and understand competition levels.
- Analyze Competitors: Look at the keywords your competitors are ranking for. This can give you ideas for keywords that you can target.
- Focus on Search Intent: Always consider the user’s intent when selecting keywords. Are they looking for information? Are they ready to make a purchase? This will help you tailor your content accordingly.
- Use a Mix of Keyword Types: To create a well-rounded SEO strategy, focus on a mix of informational, transactional, long-tail, and short-tail keywords. This will allow you to attract both general and targeted traffic.
- Monitor and Adjust: SEO is not a one-time effort. Regularly check how your keywords are performing, and adjust your strategy as needed to ensure you’re always targeting the best keywords for your audience.
Conclusion
Keyword research for SEO is the backbone of any successful SEO strategy. By understanding the different types of keywords—informational, navigational, transactional, long-tail, and short-tail—you can create content that attracts the right audience and drives more traffic to your website. Remember, focusing on long-tail keywords is a great way to start, as they are easier to rank for and often lead to more qualified traffic.
Take the time to research and strategically implement the right keywords for your content, and watch your SEO rankings improve over time. With consistent effort and quality content, your website will start seeing results.
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