7 Keyword Research Strategies That Drive SEO Success

Did you know that 91.5% of web traffic is hogged by websites on Google’s first page? And who’s chilling in those prime positions? 

The ones who’ve nailed the right keywords, of course. If you want your website to be one of them, exploring the fascinating world of keyword research is a must.

Keyword research isn’t just about picking random words and hoping for the best. Nope! It’s about laser-focusing on the most relevant and strategic terms that’ll make search engines and your audience go “Wow!” If you’re among the 72% of marketers who agree that creating relevant content is SEO gold, you’re already halfway there. Now, all you need are the Keyword Research Tools to make sure your content climbs to that coveted top spot. 

Ready to learn 7 mind-blowing keyword research techniques that’ll skyrocket your search rankings? Let’s get started.

What is Keyword Research?

Keyword research involves discovering the terms people use on search engines like Google. It’s a core SEO skill, helping you create content around what your audience is searching for. By understanding keyword demand and competition, marketers and SEOs can target the right terms to optimize for, improving their chances of ranking well against competitors.

Suppose you’re running an online furniture store. You dig up the fact that “modern living room furniture” has a higher search volume compared to “contemporary sofas.” So, instead of just showcasing sofas, why not jazz it up with blogs, product descriptions, and FAQs that use this keyword naturally.

The result? More visibility, more clicks, and hopefully more sales. In short, keyword research helps you speak the language of your customers and get noticed online

Effective Keyword Research Depends on Knowing Your Audience

Discover Seed Keywords for SEO

Seed keywords are your starting point for keyword research, representing the basic terms connected to your industry or product. These keywords define your niche and help you understand who your competition is. 

For example, if you’re running a food business, terms like “meal planning” or “organic ingredients” can serve as your seed keywords.

While these keywords won’t directly target your potential audience, they are crucial for expanding your keyword research. Think of them as a base from which you will generate more targeted, specific phrases that people are actually searching for.

Google Keyword Planner

Keyword Planner lets you research keywords for Search campaigns. Use this free SEO Keyword Research tool to find relevant keywords for your business, see search volume, and estimate costs. It also helps create targeted Search campaigns based on detailed keyword data.

By entering specific keywords or phrases, users can generate a list of relevant keywords, complete with average monthly searches and suggested bid amounts, which can guide content strategy.

Key Features:

• Keyword Ideas: Generate a wide array of keyword suggestions based on your initial input.
• Search Volume Data: Access historical search volume trends to understand seasonal fluctuations.
• Bid Estimates: Understand cost-per-click (CPC) estimates, useful for PPC strategies.
• Competition Insights: Evaluate how competitive a keyword is, aiding in prioritization.
• Location Targeting: Tailor keyword results to specific geographical areas for local SEO.
• Ad Group Suggestions: Organize keywords into themed ad groups for effective campaign structuring.

Long-Tail Keyword Research

Long-tail keywords are specific search queries with low search volume but high conversion potential. 

Unlike short tail keywords that are broad and competitive (think: “shoes”), long tail keywords are more specific and niche (like: “comfy women’s red running shoes for flat feet”). Long-Tail Keyword Strategy includes sneaky little phrases that are often longer and target a more particular audience. They may not bring in as much traffic individually, but they make a big impact on SEO.

Why? Because people searching for long tail keywords usually know what they want. So, you’re not just getting traffic, you’re getting targeted traffic—people are more likely to buy, subscribe, or engage. 

Short-Tail vs Long-Tail Keywords

Short Tail Keywords	Long Tail Keywords
laptop	Best budget laptop for college students 2024
shoes	Red running shoes for women under $50
coffee	Best organic coffee beans for cold brew

Searches Related to

Related searches are queries linked to the keyword you enter in a search engine. After typing your search, simply scroll to the bottom of the results page (SERP) to see a list of related searches.

For example, if you search for “best coffee makers” the related searches might include terms like “best coffee makers 2024,” “coffee maker for home,” or “best drip coffee maker.” These terms can guide you in finding content ideas or sub-keywords to target.

Using this technique enhances your understanding of user intent and can lead to richer content creation. 

Keyword Research Tools (Paid & Free)

There are tons of tools to simplify your keyword research. Paid Keyword Research Tools give in-depth insights, while free tools provide a solid starting point.

Check out these awesome tools:

• Google Keyword Planner: A classic! It’s free and helps you discover keyword ideas right from the source.
• Ubersuggest: Great for brainstorming. It gives you keyword suggestions, search volume, and competition data—all for free
• Ahrefs: It’s paid, but you get in-depth keyword analysis and competitive insights.
• SEMrush: Perfect for tracking your keywords and seeing what your competitors are up to—paid but so worth it.
• Moz Keyword Explorer: A solid choice for exploring keywords with a user-friendly interface. It offers both free and paid options.
• AnswerThePublic: Visualise what questions people are asking about your keywords—it’s creative and insightful

Google Trends 

Need an SEO boost? Google Trends can be your go-to tool. It shows you what’s hot right now and what was hot in the past, so you’re never left behind.

Google Trends will tell you which one’s trending faster than a viral cat video. You can even dig deeper with examples like “vegan food” vs. “keto diet” to see which diet fad is on fire. Or check how “work from home” spiked in 2020 but cooled off later, helping you target what’s relevant today.

Say you run a travel blog – compare “beach holidays” with “mountain treks.” Planning for Black Friday? See if “discount laptops” or “smartphones” are winning. With Google Trends, you can even spy on rising queries like “metaverse gaming” or “AI art” and take advantage of these SEO opportunities before they become mainstream.

Keyword Difficulty 

Keyword difficulty measures how hard it is to rank for a particular keyword, factoring in your competition and the strength of their SEO strategies. It helps determine which keywords are feasible to target based on your website authority and content quality. 

For example, established websites with strong domain authority can easily rank for high difficulty keywords like ‘smartphones 2024’. Although a new site should avoid such highly competitive keywords option instead of lower difficulty, niche keywords such as ‘best budget smartphones for seniors’.

Keyword	Search Volume	Difficulty Score	Competition
Smartphones 2024	1,00,000	82	High
Best Budget smartphones for seniors	5,000	25	Low
Affordable smartphones with good battery life	7,000	35	Moderate

Take the Next Step in SEO Mastery with DealsInsight!

SEO success doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right keyword research techniques, you can certainly fast-track your progress. By implementing these 7 must-know strategies—from understanding your competition to leveraging tools like AnswerThePublic—you’ll be well on your way to driving targeted traffic, improving rankings, and maximising conversions.

Consider keyword research as your SEO roadmap. Without it, even stellar content can be overlooked. Use search intent analysis, long-tail keyword strategy, and LSI to sharpen your SEO efforts.

Feeling like it’s too much to handle? 

That’s where DealsInsight comes in—your Technical SEO company in India. As a leading technical SEO service in Chennai, we provide tailor-made keyword research strategies to ensure your business stays ahead of the curve. 

Reach out to DealsInsight today, and lets turn those keywords tactics into tangible results.