The topmost results enjoy maximum clicks and traffic. Hence, online businesses strive to secure that spot on the SERPs. This is what precisely search engine optimization helps you with. And for the effectiveness of the same, employing the right keywords in content marketing is crucial. That being said, we have put together an SEO keyword research guide for you to use in 2021.
The online market is a highly dynamic field. It can be affected by even smallest of the changes. There are new trends about every day. One can only wonder how much change in a year! Therefore, with every starting year, it is important to revamp your keywords research.
The keyword practices that were effective last year may become outdated now. Not to mention how new trends bring new keywords. If you don’t keep in pace with the changes, you may get stuck with keywords that are unprofitable (or even detrimental) for your SEO program. At the same time, it is also important to know the basics and fundamentals.
Hence, to stay competitive in the new year, it is important to refresh your keywords manual accordingly. And today, we are going to help you with just that.
Refreshed SEO keyword research guide for 2021
Understand the different keywords types
Depending upon their characteristics, keywords can be classified into the following categories-
# Short-tail keywords:
-Such keywords are characteristically less than 3 words.
-These are usually less specific.
-Short-tail keywords are highly competitive.
# Long-tail keywords:
-Keyword phrases are longer than 3 words.
-Such keywords are more specific than short-tail keywords.
-These keywords are generally less competitive than short-tail keywords.
# Fresh keywords:
-Fresh keywords revolve around a popular word or topic.
-Such keywords have a shot life span.
-These keywords can drive high traffic for a small period of time.
# Evergreen keywords:
-As the name suggests, evergreen keywords stay relevant even after many years.
-These keywords can be both short-tail and long-tail.
# Seasonal keywords:
-Seasonal keywords become relevant only in particular season.
-Thus, they have a short relevancy span.
-For example, “Black Friday Sales” will become a relevant keyword phrase near Christmas time.
However, keywords can be further categorized and sub-categorized in many ways. For beginners, it is of utmost importance to be familiar with it in order to better understand how keywords work in SEO.
Understand keyword intent
Understanding keyword intent is crucial when researching keywords. Let’s look at some types of search intent-
# Informational intent:
As the name suggests, informational intent implies that a keyword is being used to search for a particular sort of information. Below are some of the examples:
-What is xyz
-How is xyz used
-How does xyz work
–xyz (simply write the name of the thing/topic one wants to know about)
# Commercial intent:
Keywords that have a commercial intent are used when the searcher is querying for a particular type of product. Below are some of the possible examples of commercial intent:
-Simply writing the product name
-Specific features (colour/size/shape, etc.) + product name
-What is the best [product name] for [a specific purpose]
# Transactional intent:
Transactional keywords are generally used by searchers that want to query about a particular product in relation to its brand/price or so on. These terms are more likely to lead to conversions. You can see the following examples to understand how such keywords work:
-Product name + price
-Order [product name] online
-Affordable [product name]
# Navigational intent:
Navigational intent basically implies that searchers want to navigate to a particular business. Such searchers know exactly what brand and what product they are looking for. Search queries with navigational keywords intent can be like this:
-Company name
-Brand name
-Company name + product name
-Brand name + product name
There can be different search intents behind a single keyword. Understanding keyword intent helps you understand the searcher better. As a result, you will be able to plan content marketing and use keywords in a way that it gives most value to the searcher.
How to get best keywords?
# Identify and understand your audience.
It is important to be thorough with your target audience’s demographics, needs, wants, preferences, and so in order to determine what keywords would suit you best.
# Keep from industry jargon.
This point is especially useful for B2C organizations. Consumers would search your products and services in their own (generally simple) terms. They seldom use technical industrial jargon. Therefore, when deciding on the keywords, refrain from using technical jargon.
# Use your audience’s language.
Based on people’s demographics and many other factors, they use language in different ways. Apparently, it affects how they use search keywords. Thus, it is important to make sure that your keywords fit right with your target audience’s language.
# If yours is a local business, use keywords for local SEO.
Google pays special attention to the needs of local searchers. This gives an advantage to local businesses as well. Such businesses should focus their resources on optimizing for a local reach instead of general. Therefore, they should use keywords that are specifically beneficial for local SEO.
# Employ low competition keywords.
Low competition keywords are searched lesser than generic ones. However, they can help your website get a high ranking with comparative ease. Moreover, they require little to no link building and domain authority. Further, it helps you refine customer targeting. Therefore, you should try using low competition keywords.
# Keep up with trends and use keywords accordingly.
Keeping up with trends is important. This is all the more so in the case of seasonal and fresh keywords. Using trendy keywords can offer an explosive search traffic volume. Therefore, keep up with trends to get the best out of fresh opportunities.
# Make sure to take aid from effective SEO tools.
To get the best out of SEO, your keywords need to be on fleek. Thanks to ever-improving automation, we have many software tools in the market that can help you with just that. Moreover, to keep a competitive edge, using effective SEO tools is imperative.
Final Word
Search engine optimization is imperative for online businesses. It is only through this that they drive traffic to their website which eventually turns into conversion. And keywords being its cornerstone, it is important to pay special attention to it. With this guide, you can understand the basics of SEO keywords and learn some useful tips. This way, you will be able to optimize your digital marketing program for content marketing with profitable keywords and enjoy higher traffic and rankings.
Hey there, we hope you find your answers. For more, stay tuned with us!
