Keyword Research: In Search of Online Success

 Understanding Search Terms 

Search Terms or keywords are phrases or even single words that visitors use to discover relevant sites or information on the Internet. Some of the searches are carried out using long phrases hence this should never be neglected. When a user enters a browser's search box he or she types a word or a phrase according to intent to find relevant information presented by a blog, website, knowledge panel, and more. 

The SERP or search engine result pages that open up in our browsers are now inundated with diverse sources of information, and not only the 10 site links as in the past. Hence when we are doing keyword research we must consider all sources of information to discover words and phrases to focus on in our sites, blogs, and optimization campaigns.

Making a Keyword List

Marked keywords are well documented and stored in a list in the excel sheet after a careful analysis. In the case of a website, the terms should be listed according to the landing pages so that proper distribution takes place during the creation of content, title, and meta. This distributed list also becomes handy when creating anchors during off-page optimization. Hence acquisition is a vital exercise and should be subject to regular management and updates. 

The research begins at the whiteboard stage when the concept or the topic becomes clear. Initial searches are based upon the seed keywords that define the topic core.  From here on expansion of the list should take place on regular basis.

Though an SEO collects lots of meaningful terms using the tools and competitor analysis, the acquisition is a time-bound exercise. Since the search term profiles are always changing depending on the trend and the addition of in-depth information layers on sites and blogs etc. 

Term Discover - A Common  Sense Approach

Using the seed keyword and understanding of the topic, the first instance of discovery is using common sense.

What users are going to type for a particular intent? 

This comes naturally as begin to figure out the terms in relation to the topic and the intent. A substantial number of terms can be collected to add to the list. But wait, to collect in this manner needs refinement by collating with acquisition done using the other means.

Using Keyword Discover Tools 

All SEO service providers are familiar with discovery tools and use them often for the acquisition and refinement of their list and priorities. Unfortunately, most of the tools are paid, and some are prohibitively expensive for SEO entrants and professionals alike.  

So what do you do? 

Well, almost all the tools offer insights and a list of terms on a limited basis for free. You can use a number of tools to add meaningful words and phrases to your list and at the same time get familiar with them.

Some tools offer analysis of terms based on monthly or annual searches and this insight is vital for prioritizing words and phrases based on popularity. But remember in spite of the search volume you should focus on terms most suited for your content. Hence narrow down to optimize the list based on the contents in the body not solely on the search volume. If you shape your content to focus on highly searched high volume primary keywords the intent may change misleading the visitors.

Is this what your site or blog is meant to deliver? 

Question yourself to clarify.   

Thus in order to choose keywords, go back to the whiteboard stage and realign with the offerings. For keyword research an SEO professional should be well aligned with the topic and the intent, there is no room for confusion. 

Some of the popular discovery tools are:

• Google Keyword Planner
• Ahref
• Semrush
• Niel Patel
• KWFinder
• Growth Bar
• Keyword Tool
• Majestic 

The output of all popular tools is nearly the same, hence, when going in for a paid subscription remember to check all site audit features that come along with the package.

Google Trends Website

This trend analysis website offers search figures across various regions. The website offers a graphic representation of the comparison of various terms and also the search volume. Google now updates this vital source for keyword optimization on regular basis. Refining terms are vital, and if you collate analysis using various sources you will be better informed. 

Remember a winning SEO Campaign depends much on how skillfully various relevant terms are used on the page and off the page. Not only the contemporary trends and insights, but Google Trends is also vital for understanding customer behavior pertaining to various subjects and topics. This will help shape the customer journey to align with your goal conversions. This tool also helps discover the market size and provides relevant economic indicators for example as an additional source of information. There are many subsets as search for websites available for the users.

Competitor Analysis & Search Encounters 

Keyword Acquisition is not an overnight exercise. Webmasters should be vigilant of the terms present anywhere that describe their content niche or special offerings better and at the same time reduces competition from competitors according to stiff competition on the SERPs. These encounters happen over a period of time when you are searching for diverse platforms for link building or seeking more information about the topic for content creation. 

Competitor study offers many insight fruits as you move over the websites, off-page contents, articles, blogs, and reviews. When you are conducting a competitive analysis you also look over all the SEO audit elements including the search terms.  Discover terms during these encounters and insights are time bound but add to your kitty and understanding of the subject matter in depth.  

Thus, search engine optimizers should take all relevant matters on the Net seriously, and you should care to go over them with attention. 

Semantics & Keyword Percentage

Semantics are words and phrases that are different from the main keywords but yet deliver relevant message/information to search engines for indexing and ranking and also to increase readability. The relationship between semantic words and phrases helps tremendously in explaining to search engines what the content is all about.    

For any content not to be called spam the keyword percentage should not be more than 5 %. This is vital to be in the good books of the search engine filters and robots. All the exercises above will help you in writing better both for the search engines as well as the visitors to your content.  

Read More on Keyword Research

=====================

Uday provides a search engine optimization service for digital marketing. He provides website content and content for authoritative links. He also works as SEO Content Writer for digital companies on a remote WFH basis.

He also teaches digital marketing in his home town Jabalpur. He can be contacted at: 

pateluday90@hotmail.com

09755089323          

Content Marketing: Does A Long List of Keywords For Seo Matter?

Contents & Algorithms

Constantly evolving and at times faltering, algorithms (algos) for ranking, indexing and providing answers on SERPs are at the center of search engine optimization. Also known as SEO, it is indispensable part of  Digital Marketing. Webmasters or Seo consultants are always on their toes to keep abreast of changes made by search engines to their algos some of which are subtly disclosed while many need smart exercise to decipher. 

Metrics involved in ranking and indexing are never disclosed. Following the guidelines - often elaborated - regarding optimizing a website is not an option rather it is a must. But we know that internal and external links and contents matter. Contents on website are as important as those associated with the links during off page promotion. This is what marketing focus is on at present. 

Content on a website is most important, and they should be well written, properly formatted, informative and unique. Remember the write up is to provide an answer to a users query. They are certainly not to test the readers attention span and entertain without purpose. If you are providing the most suited answer to the users query than for that term you will rank without much efforts. If a lot many sites are doing the same than metrics come into play. 

Generally very long write ups are a turn off until unless they are expanding the relevance or adding to related information. Attributes like videos, images and graphics add to increase the readers interest hence the attention span. This could also reduce the bounce rate. 

"If you use keywords properly you can answer the query in a short passage. Thus if you wish to focus a page on few more terms write short passages on a page...relevant to each other and the main topic of the page."    

Keywords

Though we always emphasize on inclusion of keywords they are not necessary if the writing is apt. But inadvertently keywords creep in. If they are in limits of natural expression it works wonders but if you saturate and repeat them in the write up excessively your page could be penalized or ignored?  

But is is a good exercise to find search terms that elaborate the topic on a web page. They could be included on the title and tags naturally. They are useful whence you wish to state what the page is all about in the title and tags. This applies to the anchor text as well in the external and interlinks. 

Remember naturally obtained links are most powerful, full of juice and effective in placing the site on the top whence searched using relevant terms. This is possible if the visitors find your site very useful.   

For page contents semantic indexing is more important since it informs the search engines as well as the visitors about the search intent i.e is what the page means. Natural inclusion of related phrases or words describing the topic is very important hence you should be writing for the reader and not for search engines.          

When you are shaping a campaign for optimization the first step is keyword analysis and research. This comes about first by understanding the topic regarding its focus. Since a topic may be subdivided into many related matters it is a must to sit down with the client and find out the exact topic for each page. 

This is if the contents have not been written and the project is on a white board stage. If they are already on board then you should straightaway start with analysis and research. This will help you give a closer feel of the topic and what is being talked about. 

Why are we talking about contents in relation with accumulating keywords for  web page? 

Well both are strongly interrelated keywords, are more like a synopsis of content. In short/long phrase or even in single word they will help your visitor and search engines understand the topic. Seo is topic relevant without relevancy in content marketing your campaign will fail.      

Actually if you are creating a list of keywords than you should discover those strictly relevant to the contents initially. Unlike earlier times you could us a tool and amass a long list of high traffic terms for your campaign.This would not work anymore. 

Response to first page keyword placement for a website is strictly dependent upon the write up. Both should be semantically related. If you do not understand this you will be wasting your time on promoting terms which are not closely related to the write up but appear to be related anyway. Hence you should focus on very strongly related words and phrases which not only respond well to your Seo campaign but also clear the intent. Hence initial exercise should land you with closely matching terms with a higher or lesser degree of competition on SERPs. 

(Read article on Google Bombing to understand why distantly related terms may not work anymore.)

Thus apt content writing becomes important whence you focus on chosen terms. Go though your page well or repeatedly in order to list keywords you can rank on quickly. More distantly related terms should be worked on gradually as the campaign proceeds. Thus simply put accumulating terms for targeting a web page is a gradual process and not one day exercise. As you visit competitor pages, score the SERPS on topic and visit many social media platforms the picture of you own web page will come sharply on focus and help you avoid unproductive terms.  

If you wish to increase the range of responsive terms you have to look at the page and additional write up may be required. If the addition is relevant search engines too would look favorably at your page/website.         

================

Uday teaches Internet Marketing in Jabalpur
He provides website contents in English
He provides Internet Marketing Service 
Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com
9755089323

Search Intent A Point to Ponder

Keyword Research & Analysis : Understanding Intent 

When you  are optimizing a page or a piece of content for a keyword you should definitely know what intent is that phrase going to fulfill. Whenever we are in the process of optimizing a website we make a keyword analysis and make a list after extensive research that we would use throughout the campaign. But just having a robust list is not enough...we have to know what intent does each fulfill. 

What is intent?

Well it is a common word that signifies a purpose behind an action. Similarly people use search terms on the SERPs with an intent. The search is mostly for finding information, seeking a specific website dealing with the topic the user is searching for, seeking news or intent to purchase online. 

So you may ask what is your site or rather that specific webpage you are promoting about? Does it fulfill and intent? Is it an eCommerce site or is it an information website? Hence once you are aware of this aspect you will narrow down the list of terms you   have assiduously created. In short the terms you have used to optimize the web page should be justifying what your page offering. People searching for knowledge or information should not be landing on your eCommerce page.

But it is not so simple for sometime related ages can lead to business conversion but than do you have the bandwidth to be that extensive. For example: 

You have a site on wildlife resort with a page on accommodation and one on the resort itself. Than for additional information you will also have a page on destination which is an information page and not meant for conversion. But if your destination page ranks well without putting too much time and effort all the better because user seeking information will land on the page and may move on to other important pages of the website. Well still you may not get a conversion but surely advertisement has taken place. It could create an awareness about  the property or in future.....   

But certainly you should understand the intent behind each term in your list and then give shape to your campaign. Hence optimize a page using a term that solves its purpose. Just do not go for high volume terms since they may not be fulfilling the purpose of the page. 

Also the contents should be aiming at the purpose as well. For a product page the contents should be persuasive speak about the attributes of the product or products and convert the visit into a purchase. In case if informational pages the research should be intense and the information contained should be unique and solve the visitors queries. Although the visitors understands the page offering better whence they go through the site comprehensively nevertheless on page focus should never be compromised.      

Paying attention to the intent behind each term will enable you to understand the campaign that your SEO consultant is shaping. Even when you content writer is creating pages you can instruct him the purpose of your website. Most of the clients who go for  cheap website design and development do not pay attention to this aspect and the final result is totally unproductive. 

The crux of this content is that it should be shaped accordingly to the purpose of the visitors and not search engines. Sometimes targeting prime phrases could be a futile exercise usually long term phrases act as best conversion piece or deliver on niche information about a topic. 

=============================================================== 

Uday provides Internet Marketing Services (SEO)
Write Contents for Websites in English
Runs Digital Marketing Classes in Jabalpur

Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com

Mobile: 9755089323

Author 

Researching Keywords & Contents A Wise Approach

Though using keywords tools are the regular means of finding the important search terms, it is usually a bad experience since the extensive one's are paid. The best solutions for making a list of useful terms is to study the topics in books, letters and the SERPs literally speaking. 

With the complexity of ranking algorithms there is no possibility of coming across magical search terms that would invite tons of organic traffic. It is best to list a large number of terms which are long and semantic in nature. This way you will sideline competition to a good degree and rank quicker. In the contemporary period ranking on prime keywords is nigh difficult and if your seo practices are good you even then it will take a long time to rank.

Will your client wait that long?    

Hence understanding the topic is most important...if the contents of the site have been already written. Else understand what the client wish the site to be about, and then first write contents naturally using a good mix of semantic terms and proper ratio of prime or exact terms. 

Besides understanding the topic thoroughly take into accounts the trends and demands that surrounds a topic or a product. This will fetch you closer to the right content, and surely right search terms will emerge. If you type the terms from the list you have made and query them on SERPs you will deepen your list with more discoveries. Remember your site will only rank for terms that are relevant as shown by the content on page. Trying to rank on words and phrases outside the purview of onpage contents will be a meaningless exercise. The contents should be pointing towards words and phrases and you can rank only on these and the semantic of course. Do not waste time on high ranking phrases if they are not relevant to your contents. 

Hence first most important task is the focus on contents...are they written suitably to what the website means to deliver. Accuracy is a must in the write ups done naturally...do not write for the SE's. Good contents can be delivered only by a good writer who understands SEO very well. At the same time he should have the capacity to research. What I am putting emphasis upon is that contents and keywords are intertwined and the latter should have a diverse profile. Relevancy is what explains the engines better about the topic else a confused status means very poor ranking on SERPs.    

If you are promoting a hotel website then besides the hotel terms you can rank poorly on resort and lodge terms. Ranking on related terms may be weak but they will accord you a proper mix of terms for links to be used as anchors which is imperative. Simply put  you cannot go on using a term for long in anchor.    

Hence deep research and study of the topic is a prerequisite for discovering search terms. And then these will play an important role in the whole promotional strategy. This is a make or break activity so be on alert constantly. Throughout the search engine optimization campaign you should be discovering new words and phrases which are relevant. Focusing on wrong terms will certainly lead to failure and client dissatisfaction.   

Extensive research will also help you on Adwords campaigns albeit their keyword planner would of great assistance whence paid search factors are taken into account.

====================================
Uday teaches Internet Marketing in Jabalpur
He provides website contents in English
He provides Internet Marketing Service 
Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com
9755089323

Using Keywords in Search Engine Optimisation

Keywords - Content & Link Building 

Keywords are compact group of words and phrases that impart information about a topic. They may be descriptive as well as deliver context about a topic, service or product. To some it up few words define a whole gamut of meaning.  

Keywords find major use on the Internet on the websites and blogs and elsewhere. A medium where short text is read more than long text a keyword would inform the visitor on the SERP what it is all about rather than reading whole descriptive text. The keyword than would prompt the visitor to move on if that is what he or she is looking for on the Net. 

Keywords also called search terms are central to any written text, domain a naked link and a short tweet. 

When writing content the search term usage is bound by rules. Usually the first line should contain a search term and so should the last line. The headlines, title and description should contain the terms as well. But the rules intervene and do not allow repetition of terms beyond a certain limit. This may be a guideline of search engines but overall purpose is to create good contents - readily and interesting. Just imagine if you encounter the same word again and again in an article ...you will certainly be disgusted.    

With the increasing popularity of LSI the content writing for visitors and the search engines has taken an interesting turn. Unlike before were keyword infested contents were tolerated the current change has made writeups more natural. Hence whence writing text you should do so naturally any forceful intrusion of text would be frowned upon and possibly lead to a penalty.    

Keywords are most targeted by SEOs or webmasters in copy of website and blogs. The limitation applies to them as well. For external link building repetition of search terms surely leads to a penalty.

Therefore anchor text usage demands that you use primary or exact match terms in limitation and supplement it with long tail and partial match terms. Using brand name in anchors is again a good idea.

Remember the purpose of links is to add information and if done properly using an authoritative site you get lots of juice for ranking. 

Keyword usage is part of content creation for marketing. The terms should arise after extensive research and the relevancy should not be in question. With passing of time webmasters realize the terms most used by visitors in search. Proper usage leads to readability and information which attract natural organic linking for better ranking.
===================================
Uday provides Internet Marketing (SEO) Services
He also conducts Internet Marketing Classes in Jabalpur
Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com
Mobile: 09755089323

Understanding Keywords For SEO Campaign

A search begins with a keyword typed in the search box of the web browser. The http protocol sends the query to the servers at Google, Yahoo or Bing whichever chosen for the task.  The search engine returns through http protocol an answer to your query. This happens in few seconds and you get the best possible answer.

In the beginning of a search engine optimization campaign the first step after getting familiar with the website is to look into its contents. If the site is being made or has fewer contents than it is your task to provide content creation, link architecture and then write the contents for each and every page.  

So your research begins with understanding the topic of the website and where does its focus lie. It may be a broad topic website or it could be focused on a niche within that topic. For example it could be on “cricket” or it could be on “Indian cricket”.   By studying the website and related website you should discover the keywords more like your site will respond to. For example if your client’s site is on shoes then find out which shoes the company makes. Is the website talking about shoes for men, shoes for women, is it talking about formal shoe, or sports shoes etc. 

Searching on the Internet using these keywords will result in many sites that are related. Understanding the search terms they are focusing will narrow the scope of terms or phrases you are going to use to optimize the client’s website. Studying related websites and their contents in title, meta tags and body is important to come to a better conclusion about the terms you’re a going to use. 

It is also important to study the topic of the website by reading articles, blogs and books or whatever source you come across. Even discussion with informed people will help. Sometimes the client himself will throw light on the subject. 

Another method of researching keywords is to use the keywords tool. But most of these tools are unreliable and some are paid. Using these tools will also assist in discovering new keywords for your client’s website.  

Hence the next step is to make out a list of keywords also called search terms that the website would react to whence a query is typed on the SERPs or search engine result pages.    

But things are not so simple nowadays because even if your site does not contain any exact match keyword or in some cases no keywords at all it still has the potential to rank better. Why?

Search engines like Google nowadays use semantic indexing using this method they are able to accurately home on the website topic and hence terms associated with it. So you can write naturally and informatively the website contents without bothering about the search terms. Yes you can? 

Using related terms they can find out that your site is a hotel site and that to it belongs to a luxury property or one that serves wildlife lovers on safari in a particular National Park. 

Modern day content writers research the topic well and include related terms naturally in their write ups. A few exact match phrases are also used appropriately in the website contents. Please do not saturate your content with exact match phrases to target search engines rather write for the visitors to your site.  

But if you wish to increase the scope of terms that the site will rank on then making a list of targeted phrases is essential. The list is not made overnight it is always an ongoing process and goes along with the search engine optimization process.

Remember lot of your own logic and experience is used to deriving accurate phrases on which the performance of your client’s website will depend. Site should respond to long terms since competition is less and the next step is to target primary terms whence your website has become more authoritative.   

=====================================
Uday provides search engine optimisation service as well as writes website contents.
He also teaches Internet or Digital Marketing in Jabalpur in India
He can be contact at
My Email

09755089323

Keyword Research That Makes or Break Business

In search engine optimisation keyword research plays an important role. Without the right keyword choice the campaign may fizzle out. Hence the first step whence taking over a new project is to extensively study the website and then derive search terms that should be targeted.   

Analysis 

The Seo professional needs to look into the offering of the website holistically, and what products or services are being targeted. This calls for sitting with the client and discussing all aspects of his online business. After this analyse competition and what they are targeting. Make a deep study how to rank your clients website.  

Locations  

It is also important to know the sphere of client's business, whether he wants to generate leads from local places or state wise or country level. Country level rankings are highly competitive nevertheless you will charge more and take more time. In order to achieve position on primary competitive search terms you have to climb the ladder from step one any way. 

Hence the location is essentially mentioned on the website. Supplies, services and products are searched for in the place of location.

Example: Stationary suppliers in NY, tea brands in India, hotels in Jabalpur.      

Beginning: Research

Keyword research begins using common sense. 

What phrases would you type in order to seek those service or products?

If it is a comprehensive eCommerce portal than you have to understand the category. If need be you can engineer contents with the involvement of the client to give an accurate delivery.  

It is important to target the right phrases. You can use many tools available online to come to a conclusion or use your own brain besides some idea from the client. As person in this trade you must have developed an acumen as to what people type on the Internet on SERPs.    

Types of search terms    

Standalone keywords are rarely targeted since they are impossible to rank.  The targeted terms are usually phrases with the most competitive ones are called as primary keywords. Terms that are supposed to be less competitive (less typed) are called secondary keywords. The last but not the least are long tail terms which fewer people type in the box hence less competitive.  These are unique and cumulative ranking would yield high traffic hence do not ignore them. They are more effective and easier to rank with high conversion rate. 

Example : 1) Green tea 

                 2) Buy green tea online

The latter is typed with intent hence more effective.    

While finalising terms to be targeted you can have a peek at Adwords being run the SERPs or use tools as I said  earlier. All the selected phrases should correlate with the websites offerings.    

For service providers managing Adwords campaign things are easier since they have had live experience of value of search terms regarding that topic. 

One caution is do not target highly competitive terms if you website offerings are well below.