SEO Keywords 101 – How To Find Power Words Now

Introduction

Hey there, friends and fellow bloggers! Let’s talk about the basic foundation of blogging and social media. The words that make your posts discoverable. SEO Keywords! As you are someone who has been in the blogging world for quite some time, I am sure you would know this right away. But for a newbie blogger, SEO keywords would akin to discovering an ancient language. Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

I was the same when I started out on this journey. Today, I’m going to demystify this crucial aspect of search engine optimization (SEO) and set you on the path to keyword success. And after reading this post, all your future writings would be well optimized so search engines like Google and Bing would easily categorize and easily deliver your posts to the right audience.

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What Are SEO Keywords?

Let’s start with the basics. SEO keywords are the words and phrases that people type into search engines when they’re looking for information, products, or services. They’re the bridge between what people are searching for and the content you’re offering to fill that need.

Think of keywords as the language your potential visitors use. If you can speak their language, you’re more likely to show up in their search results. Simple, right?

But here’s where it gets interesting: keywords come in all shapes and sizes. You’ve got:

1. Short-tail keywords: These are usually one or two words long, like “Pizza” or “Running Shoes”. They’re broad and get a lot of searches, but they’re also super competitive.
2. Long-tail keywords: These are longer, more specific phrases, like “Best vegetarian pizza in New York” or “Waterproof running shoes for trail running”. They get fewer searches, but they’re less competitive and often convert better because they’re more specific.
3. Branded keywords: These include your brand name or product names, like “Nike Air Max” or “iPhone 16.”
4. Local keywords: These include a location, like “Dentist in Chicago” or “Best sushi near me.”
5. Informational keywords: These are typically questions or phrases people use when they’re looking for information, like “How to tie a tie” or “Symptoms of flu.”
6. Transactional keywords: These indicate an intent to buy, like “Buy running shoes online” or “Pizza delivery.”

Understanding these different types of keywords is your first step towards SEO mastery. But why do they matter so much?

Why Are SEO Keywords Important?

Imagine you’ve just opened the world’s best ice cream shop. You’ve got flavors that would make Ben & Jerry jealous. But if no one knows you exist, you’re not going to sell much ice cream, are you?

That’s where SEO keywords come in. They help search engines understand what your content is about, so they can show it to the right people at the right time. Here’s why they’re crucial:

1. Visibility: Using the right keywords helps your content show up in search results when people are looking for what you offer.
2. Relevance: Keywords help ensure that the traffic you get is relevant. You want ice cream lovers finding your ice cream shop, not people looking for auto parts.
3. User Experience: By using keywords that match what your audience is searching for, you’re more likely to provide content that answers their questions or solves their problems.
4. Competitive Edge: Understanding which keywords your competitors are ranking for can help you find opportunities to outrank them.
5. Content Strategy: Keyword research can give you ideas for new content that your audience is actively searching for.

Now that you know what SEO keywords are and why they’re important, let’s get to the fun part: finding them!

How to Find SEO Keywords

Alright, detective, it’s time to put on your keyword-hunting hat. Here are some strategies to help you uncover those golden keywords:

1. Brainstorm Like Your Audience

Start by putting yourself in your audience’s shoes. What would you search for if you were looking for your product or service? Make a list of these basic keywords and phrases. Don’t worry about getting it perfect – we’re just warming up!

2. Use Google’s Autocomplete

Type some of your basic keywords into Google, but don’t hit enter. Google will suggest popular searches based on what you’ve typed. These suggestions can be goldmines for long-tail keywords.

3. Check Out “People Also Ask” and Related Searches

After you do a search, look for the “People also ask” box and the “Related searches” at the bottom of the page. These can give you ideas for questions your content could answer and related topics to explore.

4. Peek at Your Competitors

Visit your competitors’ websites and see what keywords they’re using in their titles, headings, and content. Tools like MozBar or SEOquake can help you see this information easily.

5. Use Keyword Research Tools

Now we’re getting into the pro territory. There are lots of tools out there designed specifically for keyword research. Some popular ones include:

• Google Keyword Planner (free, but requires a Google Ads account)
• Ubersuggest (offers a free version)
• SEMrush (paid, but offers a free trial)
• Ahrefs (paid, but offers a cheap 7-day trial)

These tools can show you search volume (how many people are searching for a keyword), keyword difficulty (how hard it is to rank for that keyword), and even suggest related keywords you might not have thought of.

6. Analyze Your Own Website

If you already have a website, tools like Google Search Console can show you what keywords people are using to find your site. This can help you discover keywords you’re already ranking for and find opportunities to improve.

7. Use Social Media and Forums

Places like Reddit, Quora, or industry-specific forums can be great for finding the exact language your audience uses when discussing topics related to your business.

8. Don’t Forget About Voice Search

With the rise of voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, more people are using natural language queries. Think about how someone might ask a question out loud, and consider those longer, more conversational phrases as potential keywords.

SEO Keyword Research for Social Media Platforms

While we often think of SEO in terms of Google and other traditional search engines, social media platforms have increasingly become search engines in their own right. Let’s explore how to conduct keyword research for Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest.

1. Instagram Keyword Research

Instagram has evolved from a simple photo-sharing app to a robust search platform. Here’s how to find keywords for Instagram:

1. Use the Instagram search bar: Start typing a word related to your niche and see what Instagram suggests. These autocomplete suggestions are based on popular searches.
2. Check related hashtags: When you search for a hashtag, Instagram shows related hashtags. These can be great keyword ideas.
3. Analyze your competitors: Look at the hashtags and keywords your successful competitors are using in their posts and bios.
4. Use Instagram’s Explore page: This can give you ideas about trending topics in your niche.
5. Leverage Instagram Insights: If you have a business account, use Insights to see which hashtags and keywords are driving engagement for your posts.

Remember, Instagram favors conversational language, so your keywords should feel natural and not forced.

2. TikTok Keyword Research

TikTok’s search function has become increasingly sophisticated. Here’s how to find keywords for TikTok:

1. Use TikTok’s search bar: Like Instagram, TikTok’s autocomplete suggestions can give you keyword ideas.
2. Check “Trending” hashtags: These can give you ideas for timely content and keywords.
3. Analyze popular videos in your niche: Look at the captions, hashtags, and even the content of top-performing videos for keyword ideas.
4. Use TikTok’s “Discover” page: This can help you identify trending topics and associated keywords.
5. Leverage TikTok Analytics: If you have a Pro account, use Analytics to see which hashtags and keywords are driving views and engagement for your videos.

On TikTok, it’s especially important to use trending sounds and effects along with your keywords, as these also factor into the platform’s search algorithm.

3. Pinterest Keyword Research

Pinterest functions very much like a traditional search engine, making keyword research somewhat similar to Google. Here’s how to find keywords for Pinterest:

1. Use Pinterest’s search bar: Start typing and look at the autocomplete suggestions. These are based on popular searches.
2. Check the guided search options: After you enter a search term, Pinterest shows you additional words to narrow your search. These can be great long-tail keyword ideas.
3. Look at “Related Pins”: These can give you ideas for related keywords and topics.
4. Use Pinterest Trends: This tool shows you what’s popular on Pinterest over time.
5. Analyze your competitors: Look at the titles, descriptions, and board names of successful Pinners in your niche.
6. Leverage Pinterest Analytics: If you have a business account, use Analytics to see which keywords are driving traffic to your pins.

Remember, Pinterest users often have high purchase intent, so including transactional keywords can be especially effective on this platform.

General Tips for Social Media Keyword Research

1. Think visually: Unlike traditional search engines, these platforms are highly visual. Your keywords should reflect content that works well in a visual format.
2. Use platform-specific features: Hashtags are crucial on Instagram and TikTok, while board names are important on Pinterest.
3. Stay current: Social media trends move fast. Regularly update your keyword research to stay relevant.
4. Consider user intent: People often use social media for inspiration and entertainment. Your keywords should reflect this.
5. Don’t forget branded terms: If you’re a known brand, people might search directly for you on these platforms.

By incorporating platform-specific keyword research into your social media strategy, you can improve your visibility and reach on these powerful search and discovery platforms. Remember, the goal is to align your content with what your audience is actively searching for, regardless of the platform.

Putting It All Together: Your Keyword Strategy

Now that you’ve got a treasure trove of potential keywords, what do you do with them? Here’s a simple process to refine your list:

1. Relevance: Is the keyword actually relevant to your content? Will someone searching for this term find what they’re looking for on your site?
2. Search Volume: How many people are searching for this term? Higher volume means more potential traffic, but also more competition.
3. Difficulty: How hard will it be to rank for this keyword? As a beginner, you might want to start with lower-difficulty keywords.
4. Intent: What is the searcher trying to accomplish? Are they looking for information, or are they ready to buy? Make sure your content matches the intent behind the keyword.
5. Trends: Is this keyword growing in popularity or declining? Tools like Google Trends can help you spot rising stars.

Remember, keyword research isn’t a one-and-done task. The digital landscape is always changing, so it’s a good idea to revisit your keyword strategy regularly.

Understanding Keyword Metrics: Volume and Difficulty

When you’re diving into keyword research, you’ll often come across two important metrics: search volume and keyword difficulty. Let’s break these down and see how they can guide your keyword choices.

Search Volume

Search volume refers to the average number of times a particular keyword is searched for in a given time period, usually per month. Here’s what you need to know:

• High search volume (1000+ searches/month) means lots of people are looking for this topic.
• Low search volume (10-100 searches/month) means fewer people are searching, but it could be more targeted.

Why it matters: Higher search volume means more potential traffic, but it often comes with more competition.

Keyword Difficulty

Keyword difficulty (sometimes called SEO difficulty) is a metric that estimates how hard it would be to rank on the first page of search results for a particular keyword. It’s usually expressed on a scale of 0-100:

• Low difficulty (0-30): Easier to rank for, great for newer websites.
• Medium difficulty (31-70): Requires more effort but still achievable.
• High difficulty (71-100): Very competitive, typically dominated by high-authority websites.

Why it matters: Lower difficulty keywords are easier to rank for, which is especially important when you’re just starting out.

How to Choose Keywords Based on Volume and Difficulty

Choosing the right keywords is a balancing act between search volume and difficulty. Here’s a simple strategy:

1. For new websites or pages:
   • Look for keywords with lower difficulty (0-30) and decent search volume (100-1000 per month).
   • These “low-hanging fruit” keywords give you a better chance of ranking and still bring in some traffic.
2. For established websites:
   • You can target keywords with higher difficulty (30-70) and higher search volume (1000+).
   • Your existing authority will help you compete for these tougher keywords.
3. Consider the long-tail:
   • Long-tail keywords (longer, more specific phrases) often have lower search volume but also lower difficulty.
   • They can be great for attracting highly targeted traffic.
4. Look for the sweet spot:
   • The ideal keyword has a good balance of search volume and difficulty.
   • For example, a keyword with 500 monthly searches and a difficulty of 25 could be perfect for a newer website.
5. Don’t ignore user intent:
   • A lower volume keyword that perfectly matches user intent can be more valuable than a high volume keyword that’s less relevant.
6. Consider your resources:
   • Higher difficulty keywords often require more content, backlinks, and time to rank for.
   • Make sure you have the resources to compete before targeting tough keywords.

Remember, these metrics are guides, not rules. Always consider the broader context of your website, your audience, and your goals when choosing keywords.

Common Keyword Mistakes to Avoid

As you embark on your keyword journey, watch out for these common pitfalls:

1. Keyword Stuffing: Don’t cram keywords into your content unnaturally. Google’s pretty smart these days and can penalize you for this.
2. Ignoring User Intent: Make sure your content actually satisfies what the user is looking for when they search for a keyword.
3. Only Targeting High-Volume Keywords: While it’s tempting to go after the big fish, don’t ignore those low-volume, highly specific keywords that could bring in valuable traffic.
4. Neglecting Long-Tail Keywords: These can be your secret weapon, especially when you’re just starting out.
5. Not Considering Local SEO: If you have a local business, make sure you’re targeting location-based keywords.

What is SEO Keyword Optimization?

SEO keyword optimization is the process of strategically incorporating your chosen keywords into your website’s content and structure to improve its visibility in search engine results. It’s not just about stuffing keywords into your content; it’s about using them in a way that’s natural, relevant, and valuable to your audience while also signaling to search engines what your content is about.

Here’s how to approach SEO keyword optimization:

1. Content Optimization:
   • Include your target keyword in the title of your page or post
   • Use the keyword (and variations) naturally throughout your content
   • Include the keyword in at least one subheading (H2 or H3 tag)
   • Use the keyword in the first 100-150 words of your content
   • Include related keywords and synonyms to provide context
2. Meta Tag Optimization:
   • Use the keyword in your meta title (keep it under 60 characters)
   • Include the keyword in your meta description (keep it under 160 characters)
   • Use unique meta titles and descriptions for each page
3. URL Optimization:
   • Include the target keyword in your URL
   • Keep URLs short and descriptive
4. Image Optimization:
   • Use descriptive, keyword-rich file names for images
   • Include keywords in the alt text of images
5. Internal Linking:
   • Link to other relevant pages on your site using anchor text that includes your keywords
6. Content Length and Quality:
   • Create in-depth, high-quality content that thoroughly covers the topic
   • Aim for content that’s comprehensive enough to satisfy user intent
7. User Experience:
   • Ensure your content is easy to read and navigate
   • Use bullet points, short paragraphs, and subheadings to break up text
8. Mobile Optimization:
   • Ensure your site is mobile-friendly, as this is a ranking factor for Google
9. Page Load Speed:
   • Optimize your page load speed, as this affects both user experience and SEO
10. Avoid Keyword Stuffing:
    • Use keywords naturally and avoid overuse, which can lead to penalties

Remember, SEO keyword optimization is about creating a balance between making your content easily understandable by search engines and providing value to your human readers. The ultimate goal is to create content that answers users’ questions and solves their problems while also being discoverable through search.

Wrapping Up: Your SEO Keyword Adventure Begins!

Congratulations! You’ve just taken your first big step into the world of SEO keywords. Remember, finding the right keywords is part science, part art, and a whole lot of trial and error. Don’t be afraid to experiment, track your results, and adjust your strategy as you go.

As you continue your SEO journey, keep learning and stay curious. The world of search is always evolving, and there’s always something new to discover. Who knows? Maybe one day you’ll be the one writing guides for SEO newbies!

Now go forth and conquer those search engine results pages. Your audience is out there, searching for exactly what you have to offer. With the right keywords, you’ll help them find you. Happy keyword hunting!

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