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Let’s be real for a second—there’s a ton of content out there. Blogs, videos, websites, podcasts… it’s overwhelming. So how do you make sure your content doesn’t just sit there collecting digital dust?
The answer? Keyword research.
And no, it doesn’t have to be technical or scary. This isn’t about gaming the system or stuffing words into every sentence. It’s about understanding what people are actually searching for—and how you can show up to help.
So grab a coffee (or whatever gets you in your zone), and let’s walk through keyword research in plain, human language.
First Things First—What Is Keyword Research?
Imagine you’re looking for something online—say, the best running shoes for flat feet. You head to Google and start typing it into the search bar. The phrase you typed? That’s a keyword.
Keyword research is simply figuring out which words and phrases your audience is typing into Google (or Bing, if they’re feeling fancy). It’s like market research, but instead of surveys, you’re listening to search boxes.
You’re not guessing what people want. You’re knowing it.
And that makes your content way more useful—and way more likely to get found.
Why Keyword Research Matters (Yes, Even for Small Websites)
Let’s say you spend hours writing a blog post or creating a product page. You hit publish… and crickets.
It’s not because your content sucks. It’s probably because no one’s actually searching for what you wrote about—or worse, you used the wrong words to describe it.
Here’s what keyword research helps you do:
- Speak your audience’s language
- Write content that people are actively looking for
- Show up in Google’s search results
- Get more traffic that actually cares about what you’re saying or selling
Think of it as creating with purpose, not just throwing stuff at the wall.
Let’s Talk About the Types of Keywords (So You Know What to Look For)
Not all keywords are created equal. Some are broad. Some are specific. Some are ready to buy. Some are just curious. Here’s the breakdown:
1. Short-Tail Keywords
These are one- or two-word phrases like “shoes” or “marketing.”
They get lots of searches but are super competitive and vague.
2. Long-Tail Keywords
These are longer, more specific phrases like “best shoes for standing all day.”
They may have fewer searches, but the people typing them in usually know what they want. That’s where the magic happens.
3. Informational Keywords
People are just looking to learn something.
Example: “how to start a blog”
4. Transactional or Commercial Keywords
Now we’re talkin’ money. These are search terms people use when they’re ready to buy or compare.
Example: “buy budget DSLR camera under 50000”
When you know what type of keyword you’re dealing with, you can create content that actually matches the searcher’s intent.
Mastering Keyword Research Without Going Crazy
Alright, let’s break it down step by step. You don’t need fancy tools or a marketing degree to do this. Just a bit of curiosity and a willingness to dig.
Step 1: Begin with What You Know (and Actually Care About)
Think about your niche, your business, or your passion. What do people usually ask you about? What do you search when you’re stuck?
Write down some broad topics. These are your seed keywords.
Example: If you’re a fitness coach, you might start with:
- Home workouts
- Meal prep
- Weight loss tips
These will be your starting point.
Step 2: Use Keyword Tools (No Need to Get Fancy Yet)
Now let’s expand those ideas. Use some tools to find what people are actually searching.
Here are a few free options:
- Google Suggest (just start typing in the search bar)
- AnswerThePublic
- Ubersuggest
- Keyword Surfer (a handy Chrome extension)
These will give you real keyword ideas, search volumes, and sometimes even show you questions people ask.
If you’re ready to invest, tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or KWFinder go deeper.
Step 3: Look at the Numbers (But Don’t Get Obsessed)
Here’s the truth: just because a keyword gets 10,000 searches a month doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you.
Pay attention to:
- Search volume (how often it’s searched)
- Competition (how hard it is to rank)
- Intent (what’s the person actually trying to do?)
You’re better off targeting “best running shoes for bad knees” (300 searches/month, low competition) than trying to rank for “shoes” (millions of searches, impossible to rank without Nike-level authority).
Step 4: See What Your Competitors Are Ranking For
This is honestly one of the easiest ways to shortcut your keyword research. Just plug their URL into a tool like Ubersuggest or Ahrefs, and boom—you’ll see what keywords they’re ranking for.
Ask yourself:
- Can I write something better or more useful than this?
- Are there gaps in their content?
- Can I approach this from a new angle?
Sometimes you don’t need to reinvent the wheel—just upgrade it.
Step 5: Organize Your Keywords by Intent
Now that you’ve got a list, group them based on why someone’s searching.
Here’s how:
- Informational? → Blog post or video tutorial
- Buying something? → Product page or comparison guide
- Just curious? → Quick tips, answers, or visuals
This part of keyword research helps you match the right content with the right moment in someone’s journey.
Step 6: Write Content That’s Actually Helpful
Okay, now comes the fun part. Take your keywords and build content that’s useful, clear, and real.
Tips:
- Use your keyword in the title, intro, and headings (naturally!)
- Sprinkle related terms and questions throughout
- Don’t force it—write like you’re talking to a friend
- Answer the question better than everyone else on page one
Because at the end of the day, keyword research is just step one. Helpful content is what keeps people around.
Avoid These Common Keyword Mistakes
Let’s save you some headaches, yeah?
- Don’t just chase popular keywords –They’re not always worth it.
- Forgetting search intent – If someone’s looking to buy, don’t give them a blog post.
- Keyword stuffing – Google sees it, readers hate it.
- Doing it once and moving on – Trends change. Check in on your keyword research every few months.
A Few Final Tips for Better Keyword Research in 2024
Let’s wrap up with some quick wins:
- Talk to your audience—what are they struggling with? That’s keyword gold.
- Use the “People Also Ask” and “Related Searches” on Google.
- Think like a human, not like a robot.
- Use your research to plan an entire month (or year) of content.
- Refresh old content with new keywords—it works like a charm.
Final Thoughts: Keyword Research Isn’t Just for SEO Geeks
If there’s one thing I want you to take from this guide, it’s this: keyword research isn’t about algorithms. It’s about people.
It’s about listening. Paying attention. And showing up when someone needs help, answers, or solutions.
So whether you’re blogging from your bedroom or running a growing business—start with keyword research. It’ll make everything else easier.
And honestly? It’s kinda fun once you get into it.
Next Blogs- https://ineffablebusiness.com/digital-marketing-plan-guide-2025/