Steal 15-Step SEO Keyword Research Process Like a Pro

Keyword research has been a repetitive and long drawn-out process, until now.

Whether you’re a beginner or a webmaster looking to enhance your site’s SEO performance, you’ve struck gold with this 15-step process. 

Adopting a structured approach to discover powerful keywords that will drive traffic to your site will save you time and headaches.

In this guide, we will guide you through each step, from defining your target audience to testing and refining your research, even a newbie to SEO can apply these tactics.

Unlocking the Keyword Magic: How Research Fuels Your SEO Success (Without Feeling Overwhelmed)

Keyword research is the cornerstone of successful SEO for countless reasons:

• It helps you understand what your audience is searching for.
• It informs how you should structure your content.
• It enables you to measure the impact of your SEO efforts.

Despite what you might think, keyword research isn’t as hard as rocket science, nor does it have to consume hours of your day.

“Effective keyword research is the backbone of any successful SEO strategy. It’s not just about finding words; it’s about understanding your audience.” – SEO Expert Jane Doe

Key Benefits of Keyword Research:

• Attracts more relevant traffic to your website
• Boosts your content’s visibility in search engine results
• Increases engagement and conversions

1. Benefits of Doing Keyword Research

(Understanding the keyword benefit first will help you do the next step)

Step into the SEO Spotlight: 15-Step Process to Find Powerful Keywords

Let’s break down this 15-step process so you can replicate it and uncover keywords that will make your content stand out.

Step 1: Define Your Niche and Target Audience

Understanding your central focus and ideal audience is where you start. Pin down what you offer and to whom.
Here’s a listicle on how to define your niche and target audience:

1. Identify your passions and expertise: Determine the areas you are knowledgeable and passionate about. This will help you narrow down your niche.
2. Research market trends: Study the market to identify potential gaps or areas of high demand. Look for opportunities where your expertise can meet the needs of a specific audience.
3. Analyse your competition: Understand who your competitors are and how they are targeting their audience. This will help you differentiate yourself and find a unique position in the market.
4. Define your target audience: Identify your ideal audience’s characteristics, demographics, and preferences. This will help you tailor your message and offerings to resonate with them.
5. Conduct market research: Get feedback from your target audience through surveys, interviews, and focus groups. This will provide valuable insights to refine your niche and understand your audience better.
6. Test and iterate: Launch small-scale experiments to test your niche and target audience. Use the feedback and data gathered to refine your approach and make necessary adjustments.
7. Continuously evaluate and adapt: Stay updated with market trends and evaluate the effectiveness of your niche and target audience. Be willing to pivot or expand your niche as needed to stay relevant and meet evolving customer needs.

Finding your niche and target audience is an ongoing process. Stay open to feedback and be willing to adapt your strategy as you learn more about your audience and market dynamics.

2. Find Target With SEO Research

(Finding a target audience with SEO research will lead you to detailed information)

Step 2: Brainstorm Initial Keyword Ideas

Start with a mind dump of potential keywords. You’d be surprised what initial ideas can spark.
Here’s a listicle on how to brainstorm initial keyword ideas:

1. Start with a topic: Choose a broad topic related to your content or business.
2. Use a keyword research tool: Utilise tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush to generate keyword ideas based on your topic.
3. Analyse competitor keywords: Look at the keywords your competitors are targeting and consider incorporating similar ones into your list.
4. Expand with related terms: Think of related terms, synonyms, or variations of your main keywords to diversify your list.
5. Consider long-tail keywords: Long-tail keywords are more specific and can help you target a niche audience.
6. Use customer language: Think about how your target audience would search for your content and include those terms in your list.
7. Analyse search trends: Stay up-to-date with current trends and include keywords that are currently popular or trending.
8. Group keywords by intent: Categorise your keywords based on user intent, such as informational, navigational, or transactional.
9. Prioritise high-volume and low-competition keywords: Focus on keywords with a good search volume but lower competition to increase your chances of ranking.
10. Refine and narrow down your list: Review and refine your keyword list based on relevance, search volume, and competition.

3. Get as Many Keywords ideas as You Can

(Start with what is inside your head then map out the idea before searching for that keyword)

Brainstorming initial keyword ideas is just another step. Continuously analyse and adapt your keyword strategy based on performance and changes in your industry.

Step 3: Leverage Keyword Research Tools

Free or paid tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs can provide vast suggestions and vital data.
To leverage keyword research tools effectively, follow these steps:

1. Choose the right tool: There are various keyword research tools available, such as Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, and Ahrefs. Select a tool that suits your needs and budget.
2. Identify your target keywords: Think about the keywords that are relevant to your business or website. Consider the search volume, competition, and relevance of each keyword.
3. Generate keyword ideas: Use the keyword research tool to generate a list of potential keywords related to your niche. Look for long-tail keywords and variations that can help you target specific audiences.
4. Analyse keyword metrics: Evaluate the metrics provided by the tool, such as search volume, competition, and keyword difficulty. These metrics will help you determine the potential of each keyword.
5. Refine your keyword list: Narrow down your keyword list based on relevance and competition. Focus on keywords that have a good search volume and low competition to increase your chances of ranking higher in search engine results.
6. Monitor and adjust: Continuously monitor the performance of your chosen keywords using the keyword research tool. Adjust your strategy if necessary to optimise your website’s visibility and organic traffic.

4. Steps For Using Keyword Research Tools

(Learning the steps for keyword research tools will help you keep track of your work)

By leveraging keyword research tools effectively, you can gain valuable insights into your target audience’s search behaviour and improve your website’s visibility in search engine results.

Step 4: Analyse Competitor Keywords

What are your competitors ranking for? Use this intel to shape your keyword list.

To effectively analyse competitor keywords, adhere to the following principles:

1. Identify key competitors: Start with a clear understanding of who your direct competitors are in your niche. Look for businesses that rank highly for your target keywords.
2. Use keyword analysis tools: Employ tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Moz to gain insights into the keywords your competitors are ranking for. These tools can provide detailed reports on keyword positions and performance.
3. Analyse their website content: Audit the content of your competitors’ websites. Take note of the keywords they use frequently, especially in headings, titles, meta descriptions, and within their core content.
4. Check their backlink profile: Understanding who links to your competitors and the context in which they are linked can offer clues about important keywords. Tools like Majestic SEO or Ahrefs can assist in examining these backlinks.
5. Look into their ad campaigns: If your competitors are using paid advertising, investigate the keywords they bid on. Tools like SpyFu can reveal the keywords they use in their PPC campaigns.
6. Monitor their social media presence: Often, social media content can reflect a company’s targeted keywords. Observe the hashtags and phrases they use consistently.
7. Apply SWOT analysis: Assess your competitors’ keyword strategies in terms of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. This can help you find gaps in their approach that you could capitalise on.
8. Continuously track their performance: Set up alerts and continue to track your competitors’ keyword performance over time, which will allow you to react to changes and trends in keyword usage.

Analysing competitor keywords is about more than just copying what others are doing. It’s about understanding the landscape and finding opportunities to differentiate and excel.

5. Analysing Competitor Keyword

(Using competitor keyword research will help you know your next move and be able to gain more keywords)

Step 5: Refine With Search Intent

Categorise keywords by the searcher’s intent to align with your content strategies more neatly.

1. Understand Your Target Audience: Before refining keywords, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your target audience. Determine who they are, what they’re looking for, and what their search intent might be.
2. Research Relevant Keywords: Conduct thorough keyword research to identify keywords that are relevant to your business or content. Look for keywords that align with your target audience’s search intent.
3. Analyse Search Intent: Once you have a list of potential keywords, analyse the search intent behind them. Are people looking for information, products, or services? Understanding the intent behind the keywords will help you refine your keyword strategy.
4. Refine Your Keyword List: Based on the search intent analysis, refine your keyword list by removing irrelevant or low-intent keywords. Focus on keywords that have high search volume and align with your target audience’s intent.
5. Optimise Your Content: Use the refined keywords strategically in your content. Incorporate them into your website copy, blog posts, meta tags, and headings. This will help search engines understand the relevance of your content to user search queries.
6. Monitor and Adjust: Regularly monitor the performance of your keywords through analytics tools. Keep track of keyword rankings, click-through rates, and conversions. Adjust your strategy as needed based on the data you collect.
7. Test and Experiment: Don’t be afraid to test different variations of keywords and track their performance. Experiment with long-tail keywords, synonyms, and related terms to expand your reach and capture more relevant traffic.
8. Stay Updated: The search landscape is constantly evolving. Stay updated with the latest trends, algorithm changes, and industry developments. Adjust your keyword strategy accordingly to stay ahead of the competition.

Refining keywords through keyword search intent is an ongoing process. Continuously analyse, optimise, and adapt your strategy to ensure your content remains relevant and visible to your target audience.

6. Understand Search Intents

(Four types of search intent give a different content type, the more you understand about this, the more you gain about keyword research)

Step 6: Prioritise Based on Metrics

Look at search volume, competition, and keyword difficulty to determine the most promising candidates.
Sure, here’s a listicle on how to prioritise based on metrics:

1. Identify your key metrics: Determine the specific metrics that are most relevant to your goals and objectives.
2. Set clear priorities: Rank your metrics based on their importance and align them with your overall strategy.
3. Establish targets: Define specific targets or benchmarks for each metric to have clear goals to work towards.
4. Gather accurate data: Ensure that you have reliable and up-to-date data for each metric to make informed decisions.
5. Analyse and compare: Analyse the data to identify trends, patterns, and areas that require attention or improvement.
6. Make data-driven decisions: Use the insights from your metrics to prioritise tasks, projects, or initiatives.
7. Communicate and collaborate: Share the metrics and priorities with your team to ensure alignment and foster collaboration.
8. Monitor and adjust: Continuously monitor the metrics and adjust your priorities as needed based on new information or changing circumstances.
9. Review and learn: Regularly review the impact of your prioritisation efforts and learn from both successes and failures.
10. Iterate and optimise: Iterate your prioritisation process and optimise it over time to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

7. Volume of Keyword Research Overview

(Numbers tell you a lot of things if you take your time learning about them, Use keyword research tools and prioritise the metric as your winning strategy)

Prioritising based on metrics helps you focus your efforts and resources on what matters most for achieving your goals.

Step 7: Consider Long-Tail Variations

Long-tail keyword variations are important in the keyword research process due to several compelling benefits they offer. These phrases, often more specific and less common, can dramatically improve a website’s SEO performance. Here are some key advantages:

• Higher Conversion Rates: Users searching with long-tail keywords often have a clear intent, making them closer to a point of purchase or conversion.
• Less Competition: Because they are so specific, long-tail keywords tend to have fewer competing pages, allowing for a better ranking potential in search engine results pages (SERPs).
• Cost-Effectiveness in PPC: In paid search campaigns, long-tail keywords can be less expensive due to lower competition, while still targeting motivated users.
• More Targeted Traffic: Long-tail keywords attract visitors who are looking for exactly what you offer, resulting in higher-quality traffic to your site.
• Improved Relevance: Using long-tail keywords can enhance the relevance of content to the user’s query, which can improve user engagement and satisfaction.
• Better Voice Search Optimisation: As voice search grows, conversational long-tail phrases align closely with spoken queries, making them increasingly important for SEO.

Incorporating long-tail variations into your keyword strategy is a smart move for tapping into niche markets and improving your overall SEO efficacy.

8. Long-Tail Keywords Difficulty

(Keywords might be difficult on some occasions but putting yourself in other shoes will help you manage some of the long-tail keywords)

Step 8: Don’t Forget Local Keywords

If location matters to your business, include area-specific keywords to attract a local audience.
To attract a local audience, using local words is necessary for several reasons:

1. Language familiarity: Local words resonate with the community and create a sense of familiarity, making it easier for the audience to connect with your message.
2. Cultural relevance: Local words reflect the culture and traditions of the community, showing that you understand and appreciate their values. This helps to build trust and credibility.
3. Emotional connection: Local words have a unique way of evoking emotions and creating a strong bond with the audience. It shows that you speak their language, both literally and figuratively.
4. Increased engagement: When you use local words, you capture the attention of the local audience, making them more likely to engage with your content, share it with others, and become loyal supporters.
5. Competitive advantage: By using local words effectively, you differentiate yourself from competitors who may not be speaking directly to the local audience. This can give you a competitive edge in the market.

So, if you want to attract and engage with the local audience, incorporating local words into your content is needed.

9. Local Keyword Examples

(Keywords around your area have higher meaning and importance than you think since it’s easy to reach)

Step 9: Utilise “Related Searches” Features

Google’s related searches can reveal unexpected opportunities. Don’t ignore them. 1. Find new keyword opportunities: Related Searches provide additional keywords and phrases that are related to your primary search term. This helps you expand your keyword list and uncover new opportunities for targeting.

2. Increase search visibility: By incorporating related keywords into your content, you can improve the chances of your website appearing in search results for a wider range of search queries. This can help increase your search visibility and drive more organic traffic to your site.
3. Understand user intent: Related Searches give insights into the topics and questions that users are searching for. By analysing these related keywords, you can gain a better understanding of user intent and tailor your content to meet their needs and expectations.
4. Stay ahead of the competition: Utilising Related Searches allows you to stay updated with the latest trends and topics in your industry. By incorporating these keywords into your content strategy, you can position yourself as a thought leader and stay ahead of your competitors.
5. Refine your keyword strategy: By analysing Related Searches, you can identify patterns and themes that can help you refine your keyword strategy. You can uncover long-tail keywords, niche topics, and specific questions that your target audience is interested in, allowing you to create more targeted and relevant content.

10. Google Showing Related Search

(Related search will be able to give you more options with your research, some keywords are also local keywords as well)

Step 10: Look Into Question-Based Keywords

Targeting question-based searches can lead to informative content that fulfils user intent.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to look into Question-Based Keywords in your keyword research process:

1. Identify your target audience and their needs: Understand who your target audience is and what questions they may have related to your industry or product.
2. Brainstorm relevant questions: Think about the questions that your target audience might ask when searching for information or solutions related to your niche.
3. Use keyword research tools: Utilise keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to find question-based keywords that are relevant to your business.
4. Analyse search volume and competition: Evaluate the search volume and competition level for each question-based keyword to determine its potential value.
5. Create high-quality content: Develop informative and valuable content that directly answers the questions posed by your audience. Make sure to optimise your content with the question-based keywords you have identified.
6. Monitor performance and adjust: Track the performance of your question-based keywords and make adjustments as needed to improve rankings and drive more targeted traffic to your website.

Incorporating question-based keywords into your keyword research process can help you better understand your audience’s needs and create content that addresses their specific queries. Good luck with your keyword research!

11. Question-Based Keyword WIth Variant Sources

(Question-based will help you identify the deeper of your keyword and let you plan the research more easily, and I don’t know why dishwasher salt)

(Question-based keyword on Google)

Step 11: Mine User Forums and Communities

Forums and online communities are great sources for finding long-tail keywords and understanding your target audience. Aemorph always does keyword research and often passes through many communities. Here are some tips on how we effectively gain information from user forums and communities.

1. Identify relevant forums and communities: Find forums or online platforms where your target audience frequently engages, such as Reddit, Quora, or industry-specific forums.
2. Search for popular topics: Look for popular discussions or threads related to your niche. These can provide insight into the common questions and concerns of your audience.
3. Analyse user language and phrases: Pay attention to the language and keywords used by forum members when discussing a particular topic. This can help you identify long-tail variations that you may not have considered before.
4. Look for recurring themes: Frequently mentioned topics or recurring questions can indicate a high demand for content related to those topics. This can be a great opportunity for you to create relevant and valuable content.
5. Engage and participate: Don’t just mine the forums, actively engage with members by answering questions and providing helpful insights. This not only helps to build your credibility but also allows you to better understand your audience’s needs.

This can gather valuable insights that can inform your keyword research process and help you create targeted content that resonates with your target audience. So don’t overlook this valuable resource in your keyword research strategy.  So, don’t overlook the value of user forums and communities in your keyword research process. They can provide valuable insights into your target audience.

12. Researching on The Reddit Community

(Communities keyword research data will let you search deeper “from” the user itself)

Step 12: Stay Updated With Industry Trends

Capture emerging trends and associated keywords by keeping an eye on the latest industry news. Here are some tips on how to stay updated with industry trends for your keyword research process:

1. Follow industry news and publications: Stay updated with the latest news, articles, and publications related to your niche. This can help you identify emerging trends and topics.
2. Monitor social media conversations: Pay attention to what people are talking about on social media platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. These conversations can provide valuable insights into popular topics and keywords related to your industry.
3. Subscribe to relevant newsletters: Sign up for newsletters from industry influencers or publications to receive the latest updates directly in your inbox.
4. Attend conferences and events: Participate in industry conferences and events to network with other professionals and stay updated on the latest trends and discussions within your niche.

By staying updated with industry trends, you can identify new keywords and topics to target in your content strategy. This will help you stay ahead of the curve and provide valuable and relevant content for your audience.  So, make sure to include this step in your keyword research process to continually improve and refine your strategies.

13. Industrial Keywords From Trend and Recommendations

(Learning from an example of some industrial keywords from trends and recommendations will increase your power of keyword research)

Step 13: Use Google Analytics Data

Leverage Google Analytics data to get insights on how your current keywords are performing and identify new opportunities. Here’s how you can use Google Analytics for keyword research:

1. Analyse organic search traffic: In the Acquisition section of Google Analytics, go to All Traffic > Channels > Organic Search to see which keywords are driving the most traffic to your website.
2. Evaluate bounce rates and time on the page: Check the bounce rate and average time on the page for each keyword to see which ones are performing well in terms of engagement.
3. Use the Search Console integration: If you have Google Search Console set up, you can view detailed data on your search queries, including impressions, clicks, click-through rate (CTR), and average position. This can help you identify new keywords to target and improve your existing ones.
4. Set up conversion tracking: By setting up conversion tracking in Google Analytics, you can see which keywords are driving conversions and optimise your strategy accordingly.

14. Google Analytics Overview

(GA will give you an overview of tracking, from conversion to numbers around the world who access your website. Even the keyword they use to access them, learning from this and planning the next move is going to boost your growth)

Step 14: Monitor Seasonal Fluctuations

Align your keyword strategy with the ever-changing patterns of seasonal search behaviour, ensuring it remains dynamic and adaptable.  Here are some tips for monitoring seasonal fluctuations in search volume:

1. Use Google Trends: Google Trends can help you identify when and how often certain keywords are searched, allowing you to target them at the most opportune times.
2. Monitor industry-related events and holidays: Keep track of major events, product launches, or holidays related to your niche as they may drive changes in search behaviour.
3. Analyse past data: Look at historical data from previous years to see how different periods and seasons have affected your keyword performance.

15. Seasonal Fluctuations Line Over Year

(Seasonal keyword strategy graph changing depends on the time of that year and will go around like a roller coaster, picking the right keyword at the right time also helps you with the reach of your keyword research)

Step 15: Organise and Track Your Findings

Keep a detailed record of your keywords for easy access and strategy adjustments. Here are some tips on how to organise and track your keywords:

1. Use a spreadsheet: Create a spreadsheet to keep track of all your keyword data, including search volume, difficulty, competition, and other important metrics.
2. Group keywords by topic: Organise your keywords into groups or categories based on their relevance and similarity. This will help you better understand the overall themes and topics your keywords are targeting.
3. Monitor rankings: Regularly track the rankings of your keywords to see if they are improving or declining in search results.
4. Continuously update and adjust: Your keyword list should be a living document that is constantly updated and adjusted as needed. As you create new content and monitor performance, you may find new opportunities for keyword targeting or need to adjust your strategy based on changes in search behaviour.

By organising and tracking your keywords, you can effectively manage and optimise your keyword research process for the best possible results.  So, make sure to keep a detailed record of all your findings and regularly update it as needed.

16. Organise Your Workspace

(A well-organised keyword template for keyword research will let you reach the goal much more easily and faster)

Level Up Your Keyword Game: Bonus Tips for Pro-Level Keyword Research (Optional)

To give you an extra edge, here are some pro tips for refining your keyword research:

• Look into semantic keywords to expand your reach.
• Sync your keyword research with your overarching content strategy.
• Speak with customers to understand what they’re looking for

Go Forth and Conquer Your Keywords! Unlock SEO Success with Powerful Research

Practice this pro-level 15-step keyword research process and you’ll be equipped to pick out keywords to attract the right audience and serve as a ladder to SEO success. Remember, the digital world is dynamic, so your approach to keyword research should be too. Adjust these steps to fit your unique objectives, and don’t hesitate to revisit your strategy regularly.