What is Keyword Research & How to Apply it to SEO?

Understand what your audience is looking for…

Keyword research can be summarized as searching for words and terms that users can search for on search engines to find information and details about something they are looking for. Keywords are one of the most important components when we practice SEO strategies today.

Performing quality keyword research that users frequently pick up can yield an increased number of clicks on your craft. Say you’re looking for a digital marketing company that offers SEO. To perform the best keyword research in Houston, for instance, you might go with “professional Houston TX SEO service” and then decide on the package with the most productive keywords along with a combination of effective SEO strategies.

There are generally two types of keywords:

a) Short-Tail Keywords: These are the most commonly used words while searching for something online. They have a high search traffic rate. These keywords are short, i.e., they have a lower word count. For example: Baseball Bat, Basketball, etc.

b) Long-Tail Keywords: These are more descriptive and specific. They receive less but specific search traffic for particular searchers as compared to the short-tail keywords. They are longer hence they have a longer word count. For example: Best Baseball Bats for Beginners, High-quality Durable Basketballs, etc.

What is SEO?

SEO is the acronym for Search Engine Optimization. It is a strategy used by website owners to have more people going through their website content. This is achieved by using strategies that rank their websites higher on the various search engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.

These search engines use algorithms that rank their content higher when they search for something similar to the owner’s content. And if the content ranks higher, it will ultimately show up higher to the user, thus attracting them towards your website.

Importance of Keyword Research in SEO

Keyword research is essential in all SEO (Search Engine Optimization) activities like promotions, traffic, search rankings, click through rate, lead quality, relevant content search, and many more. Keyword research is the premier guide that helps you see where you want to reach and whom you have to reach. Keyword research gives you a superb overview about the keywords searched by a majority when searching for content similar to yours.

How to Find Keywords Appropriate for SEO?

Through Google:

The easiest way to find keywords is by simply searching about your content on the search engine. There you will see ‘searches related to,’ and all those are some of the most popular keywords related to your content. If you are still not satisfied and require more keywords, then click on one of those searches under ‘searches related to,’ scroll down, and you will find some more related and worthy keywords. Rinse and repeat this process as many times until you find the most probable keyword.

Through Wikipedia:

The online free encyclopedia has answers to almost everything anyone is curious about. The site, which is edited and curated by thousands of industry specialists and experts, has everything in order and categorized in subtopics for every user’s feasibility. Just search for the topic of your content in the vast search bar. There you will find the table of contents for what you’re looking for.

Those right there are your keywords. Clicking on those sub-heads will then redirect you to another page with another table of contents, and you will have some more keywords to choose from. Clicking on a few internal links will also guide you to some more keywords.

Through Reddit:

Search your content related topic in the search bar on Reddit. And click on the subreddit you think is relevant and may interest your target audience. And then look out for the comments; they will lead you to some of the most favored and unique keywords.

Through YouTube and Google Suggests:

Type in your topic in the search bar and wait for the site to recommend relevant terms. If a site like Google or YouTube is recommending keywords, then you will know that those are quality keywords as their algorithm puts in the most searched terms on top. You can also search for these keywords on Bing.

Keyword Difficulty

Your keywords have often been used several times by your competitors, making it difficult for your content to stand out and reach the first pages of the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages). However, if you find a keyword with less competition, it will be easier for you to reach the top spots. So, measuring keyword difficulty is quite essential, and we are here to help you with that.

1) Head Terms

These are one-word keywords and are highly competitive in nature. These are the most commonly used terms and vague. By vague, we mean, it has a broader search umbrella beneath it. And the user may be searching for something more specific related to it.

2) Body Keywords

These are two to three words or phrases used by users. These are less competitive than the Head Terms and receive fair search volume. They are very much more specific.

3) Long-Tail Keywords

These are the least competitive ones of the lot and comprise of more than four words. They are very descriptive and specific in nature. Such keywords don’t receive a lot of search volume individually; however, they generate amazing results if put together.

However, you should focus on the long-tailed keywords and use them in your content as they are less competitive than the other two and can generate satisfactory results. And if your site is new, you would want to make it to the top three google pages for brand building. So long-tail keywords are the way to go.

Choosing the Right Keyword

Of course, the most important part about selecting the correct keywords is how it affects your Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

When you have the list of keywords ready, choosing the most appropriate ones is a tough challenge. Your keyword or keywords should be based on various factors that should be thought through and not guessed and picked at random.

This can be done by checking the search volumes of all the keywords at hand and narrowing down the requirements. A lot of online tools help you with the same. Our team, at Angel SEO Services, in Houston, TX offers a customized SEO Service approach that can assist you in choosing the most appropriate and result-driven keywords possible.

Some Helpful Keyword Tips:

1) Content related to synonyms or other closely related terms

Just because you have the perfect keyword and your website content is ranking in the top three, you shouldn’t stop there. You can use various synonyms and similar words to your main keyword and sprinkle them around your post or article in the most natural way. Other variations of your primary keyword must be used for the most optimal result.

2) Not directly relating keywords

If your keyword is the idea or service you are trying to sell through your content, it may be a bad idea to use them as keywords. Why? For two specific reasons: the first one is – if it is the keyword of the product you are selling, then it ought to have intense competition and harder for you to reach the top three pages. And the second reason is that many potential customers are searching for content online when they do not necessarily search for the product you sell.

Your keywords should use variations of the services you are trying to sell to attract customers. So, using terms that are not directly related to your main product is advantageous.

Angel SEO Services could be the one-stop destination for all your SEO and social media marketing related problems. Our group of experts and technicians are more than ready to help you and your brand in Houston, TX. Our SEO service will help you fix any SEO anomaly. Get in touch with our digital marketing specialists today!