As an SEO content writer, finding good keywords is critical to creating high-ranking content. Failing to identify the appropriate keywords will limit the visibility of your content and, as a result, lower your website’s organic rankings on search engines.
This article will outline the various ways to find good keywords, including the use of keyword tools, competitor analysis, and brainstorming.
1. Use keyword research tools:
The first and most common way of finding good keywords is the use of keyword research tools such as Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Ubersuggest. These tools are designed to help website owners and marketers identify the most valuable keywords for their businesses.
Using these tools is relatively easy. Start by entering a relevant word or phrase related to your niche or topic, and the tool will generate a list of related keywords, along with their monthly search volume, competition, and other metrics.
It’s important to note that while these tools are extremely helpful, they are not the be all and end all of keyword research. Sometimes, they may provide keywords that aren’t relevant to the content or may have too much competition.
2. Spy on your competitors:
Another effective way to find good keywords is to analyze your competitor’s websites. By analyzing their sites, you can see the keywords they’re targeting, which content is performing well for them, and how they structure their content.
Start by identifying your top competitors within your niche or industry. Then, analyze their content to see what they’re targeting. You can use tools such as SEMrush or Ahrefs to gain insights into their SEO strategies.
In addition, you can also get an idea of which keywords your competitors are targeting from their meta tags, blog post titles, and descriptions.
3. Brainstorm and use long-tail keywords:
Brainstorming is another way to come up with good keywords that may not be present in keyword tools. This involves thinking about your target audience and the words or phrases they use in relation to your niche or topic.
For example, if you’re writing about healthy living, you can brainstorm keywords such as “healthy lifestyle,” “fitness tips,” and “meal planning.” Try to think of as many words and phrases as possible that your audience may use when searching for information related to your content.
Long-tail keywords are an effective way to target specific queries and rank higher in search results. Long-tail keywords are longer phrases that are more specific than broader keywords and are generally easier to rank for.
For example, if you’re writing about coffee, a broader keyword may be “coffee beans.” A long-tail keyword would be “best coffee beans for espresso,” which targets a particular type of coffee and a specific audience.
4. Consider intent:
One important factor to consider when choosing keywords is the intent behind the search query. Understanding the user’s intent can help you choose relevant keywords that match their needs and address their search queries.
There are four primary types of user intent:
- Informational Intent: People searching for information
- Navigational Intent: People looking for a specific website or page
- Transactional Intent: People ready to buy or complete a transaction
- Commercial Intent: People looking for information with the intention of making a purchase later
When targeting keywords with an informational intent, you should use keywords that provide helpful information to your audience. Navigational intent searches should be targeted with your brand name or relevant pages on your website. In transactional and commercial intent searches, you should use keywords that encourage people to consider your product or service as a solution to their needs.
5. Don’t forget local keywords:
For businesses with a physical location or a particular service area, local keywords are essential. Local keywords help you target a specific geographic location and attract local customers.
For example, if your business is a restaurant in New York City, you can target keywords like “best restaurants in NYC” or “top-rated pizza places in New York City.”
Google My Business is another tool that is essential for businesses targeting local keywords. It helps businesses manage their online presence and appear in local search results.
In conclusion, finding good keywords is essential to creating high-ranking content that attracts the right audience and benefits your business. Using a combination of keyword research tools, competitor analysis, brainstorming, understanding intent, and targeting local keywords can help you generate a comprehensive list of relevant keywords that align with your content and business goals.