Remember when I launched my first blog? I wrote what I thought were killer articles on digital marketing. Two months later... crickets. Turns out I was targeting keywords like "digital strategies" – vague terms nobody searches. Learning how to find keywords for SEO changed everything. Today, that site gets 50k monthly visitors. Let me save you the painful trial-and-error.
Why Keyword Research Isn't Optional
Look, Google processes over 8.5 billion searches daily. If you're not showing up for what people type, you're invisible. Period. But here's what most guides won't tell you: finding keywords isn't about chasing huge search volumes. It's about discovering what your audience actually struggles with.
I wasted six months targeting "email marketing tips" (12k searches/month). Got nowhere. Then I found "how to fix email deliverability issues" (800 searches/month). Ranked in 3 weeks and became my top lead generator. The difference? Specific intent.
The Four Keyword Categories You Must Understand
| Type | Purpose | Example | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navigational | Finding specific brands/sites | "HubSpot login" | Brand awareness |
| Informational | Researching topics | "best CRM software" | Top-of-funnel content |
| Commercial | Comparing options | "Salesforce vs Zoho" | Middle-of-funnel |
| Transactional | Ready to buy | "buy Quickbooks discount" | Bottom-of-funnel |
Transactional keywords? Gold. But informational terms build authority. My top-performing piece started as "what is CRM software" before I layered in commercial keywords.
The Actual Process I Use Daily
Forget complex frameworks. Here's my stripped-down approach to finding SEO keywords:
Step 1: Mine Your Own Brain First
Before touching tools, grab coffee and answer:
- What problems does my product/service solve?
- What questions do clients always ask?
- What industry jargon do beginners misunderstand?
Real Example: For my SaaS client, we listed:
"recurring billing software" → "how to manage failed payments" → "dunning emails templates"
That last phrase? 220 searches/month with zero competition.
Step 2: Spy on Competitors
Ahrefs/SEMrush work, but try this free hack:
1. Google your main keyword.
2. Open top 3 competitor pages.
3. Ctrl+F "href" → see where they link internally.
Those linked pages target their most valuable keywords.
When I analyzed Backlinko's SEO guide? Found 12 internal links to "keyword difficulty" pages. Obvious priority.
Step 3: Exploit Google's Free Tools
Paid tools are nice but unnecessary. My free keyword toolkit:
| Tool | How to Access | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Autocomplete | Type your seed keyword in Google | Add letters a-z (e.g., "SEO a", "SEO b") |
| People Also Ask | Scroll down SERPs | Click questions to unlock more |
| Related Searches | Bottom of SERPs | Combine with your seed keyword |
Last week, searching "how to find keywords" revealed "how to find keywords for free" in PAA. Traffic potential: 1.2k/mo.
Step 4: The Long-Tail Goldmine
Short-tail keywords are bloodbaths. My ROI breakdown:
- "SEO tools" (14k searches): 0.8% conversion rate
- "free SEO tools for local businesses" (190 searches): 6.3% conversion rate
Why? Specificity signals intent. Tools like AnswerThePublic visualize question-based keywords:
- Why... [do I need keyword research?]
- How... [to find keywords without tools?]
- Can... [keywords improve sales?]
Mistake I Made: Ignoring keyword difficulty. Found "cloud accounting software comparisons" with 1.2k searches. What I missed? All top results had DA70+. Wasted 3 weeks creating content that never ranked.
Essential Metrics That Actually Matter
SEO tools bombard you with data. Focus on these four when finding keywords for SEO:
| Metric | Ideal Range (B2B Example) | Red Flags |
|---|---|---|
| Search Volume | 200-2k/mo | Under 50 (too niche) Over 5k (too competitive) |
| Difficulty Score | 20-45 (Ahrefs scale) | Above 50 if new site |
| CPC (Optional) | $5+ for SaaS | Under $1 (low commercial intent) |
| Top 10 Avg. Backlinks | < 50 referring domains | 500+ RD (need link-building) |
See that CPC metric? If advertisers pay for clicks, that keyword converts. Simple but effective litmus test.
Advanced Tactics for 2024
Google's evolving. Basic keyword research won't cut it anymore. Here's what works now:
The SGE Opportunity
With Search Generative Experience, conversational keywords dominate. Compare:
- Old: "best CRM software"
- SGE-optimized: "What's the easiest CRM for a solo consultant tracking 50 clients?"
Tools like SEMrush's Topic Research show these natural language queries. I'm creating FAQ pages targeting these.
Repurposing Forum Data
Reddit/Quora are keyword goldmines. My scrape method:
1. Go to reddit.com/r/[yourniche]
2. Search "how do I" or "recommend"
3. Extract recurring phrases
From r/smallbusiness: "how to track billable hours" → became a 4k/month traffic post.
YouTube to Article Pipeline
Find high-engagement YouTube videos in your niche. Use:
1. vidIQ to see search terms
2. Comment section for pain points
3. Create detailed articles from scripts
Converted a "Xero setup tutorial" (200k views) into a guide ranking #2 for "how to configure Xero".
Keyword Research Mistakes That Kill Results
I've made 'em all so you don't have to:
- Obsessing over volume: That 50k/mo keyword? Probably brand queries. Reality check: "notion templates" has 673k searches. "how to make notion templates" gets 9k.
- Ignoring SERP features: If top results are Amazon/YouTube, your blog post won't rank.
- One-and-done research I review keywords quarterly. "Best WordPress themes 2023" dropped 70% traffic Jan 2024.
Pro Tip: Use incognito searches to see real SERPs. Signed-in Google personalizes results – terrible for research.
Your Action Plan Starts Today
Finding keywords isn't theoretical. Do this now:
- Pick one core product/service
- Brainstorm 5 customer pain points
- Google each pain point + note PAA questions
- Choose one long-tail phrase (< 50 difficulty)
- Create content answering it comprehensively
When I implemented this for an e-commerce client? They ranked for "how to fix squeaky office chair" in 18 days. Got 83 sales of chair lubricant.
FAQs: How to Find Keywords for SEO
How many keywords should I target per page?
1 primary + 2-3 secondary. My SaaS homepage targets:
Primary: "recurring billing software"
Secondary: "subscription management", "automate invoicing"
Stuffing multiple keywords dilutes focus.
What's the fastest free method for keyword research?
Google's autocomplete + People Also Ask. Takes 10 minutes:
1. Type seed keyword
2. Scroll through suggestions
3. Click 3-4 PAA questions
4. Export with Keywords Everywhere (free Chrome extension)
How do I know if a keyword is too competitive?
Three red flags:
- Top 3 results have Domain Authority >70
- More than 5 paid ads
- Over 1,000 backlinks to #1 result
When unsure, aim for keywords where you can realistically create better content than existing pages.
Should I prioritize keywords with high CPC?
Only if monetizing via ads. For lead gen, focus on:
- Commercial intent (e.g., "compare", "vs", "reviews")
- Question formats ("how to", "why does")
High CPC indicates value but doesn't guarantee conversions for your business.
How often should I revisit keyword research?
Core pages: Quarterly
Blog content: Every 6 months
Why? Search trends shift. "Remote work tools" peaked 2021, now declining. "Hybrid office solutions" rising.
Finding keywords for SEO isn't about tools or hacks. It's about empathy – understanding what keeps your audience up at night. Start small. Target one precise problem. The results will compound.
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