How to Conduct Keyword Research Like a Pro
How to Conduct Keyword Research Like a Pro (Without the BS)
You’re staring at a blank screen, wondering:
“What the hell should I write about?”
“How do I find keywords that actually bring traffic?”
“Why does everyone make this sound so complicated?”
Good news—keyword research isn’t rocket science. But most guides overcomplicate it with jargon, fluff, and outdated tactics.
I’ve built multiple businesses ranking content at the top of Google. And in this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to do keyword research like a pro—no fancy tools required (though they help).
Let’s dive in.
Why Keyword Research Matters (Spoiler: It’s Everything)
If you’re creating content without keyword research, you’re shooting in the dark. You might get lucky, but luck isn’t a strategy.
Here’s why it matters:
Find what people actually search for (instead of guessing).
Beat competitors by targeting gaps they miss.
Drive free, targeted traffic from Google (aka money).
Skip this step, and you’re wasting time.
Step 1: Start With Seed Keywords (The Easy Way)
Seed keywords are broad terms related to your niche. For example:
“Weight loss” (Fitness niche)
“Email marketing” (Business niche)
“Best running shoes” (Product review niche)
How to Find Them
Brainstorm – What would your audience type into Google?
Check competitors – What terms are they ranking for?
Use Google Autocomplete – Start typing, see what pops up.
Pro Tip: Don’t overthink this. Just jot down 5-10 broad terms.
Step 2: Use Free Tools to Uncover Goldmine Keywords
Now, let’s expand those seed keywords into low-competition, high-traffic opportunities.
Free Tools to Use
Google Keyword Planner (Requires Google Ads account)
Shows search volume and competition.
Best for rough estimates (not 100% accurate).
AnswerThePublic
Reveals real questions people ask.
Example: “How to lose weight fast” vs. “How to lose weight without exercise.”
Ubersuggest (Free version available)
Gives keyword ideas + difficulty scores.
Google Search Console (If you already have a site)
Shows what terms you’re almost ranking for.
What to Look For
✅ Low competition – Easier to rank.
✅ Decent search volume – At least 100+ monthly searches.
✅ Intent matches your content – Are people looking to buy or just browse?
Step 3: Analyze Search Intent (The Secret Sauce)
Google doesn’t rank pages—it ranks answers. If your content doesn’t match what people want, you won’t rank.
Types of Search Intent
Informational – “How to,” “What is,” “Best ways to…”
Commercial – “Best [product] for [use case]”
Navigational – Brand searches (“Facebook login”)
Transactional – “Buy,” “Discount,” “Deals”
Match your content to intent.
If someone searches “best running shoes”, they want a comparison, not a sales pitch.
If they search “buy Nike Air Max”, they’re ready to spend.
Step 4: Spy on Competitors (And Steal Their Keywords)
Your competitors already did the hard work. Use them.
How to Do It
Plug their site into Ubersuggest or Ahrefs – See their top pages.
Check “People Also Ask” in Google – More keyword ideas.
Look at their subheadings – They often include secondary keywords.
Pro Move: Find keywords they rank for on page 2 of Google. These are low-hanging fruits you can outrank them on.
Step 5: Filter and Prioritize Your Keywords
Now, you’ve got a big list. Time to cut the fluff and focus on winners.
Prioritization Checklist
✔ Search volume (500+ is ideal, but low-competition 100-500 can work).
✔ Low competition (Check “Keyword Difficulty” in tools).
✔ Relevance (Does it fit your audience?).
✔ Intent match (Can you create content that satisfies this search?).
Example:
❌ “What is SEO” (Too broad, high competition)
✅ “How to do SEO for local businesses” (Specific, lower competition)
Step 6: Create Content That Ranks (Fast)
Keyword research means nothing if your content sucks.
How to Optimize for Rankings
Use the keyword in:
Title
First 100 words
Headers (H2, H3)
URL
Meta description
Make it better than competitors – Longer, clearer, more actionable.
Internal linking – Link to related posts on your site.
External links – Cite trusted sources (like Backlinko).
Pro Tip: Tools like SurferSEO or Frase.io analyze top-ranking pages and tell you exactly what to include.
FAQs About Keyword Research
1. How many keywords should I target per post?
1 main keyword + 2-3 related keywords (LSIs). Don’t stuff.
2. Are long-tail keywords still worth it?
Hell yes. Less competition, higher conversion. Example: “Best running shoes for flat feet” > “Running shoes.”
3. How often should I do keyword research?
Monthly for new content ideas.
Quarterly for updating old posts.
4. Do I need paid tools?
Free tools work, but paid tools (Ahrefs, SEMrush) save time.
Final Step: Promote Your Content (Or Nobody Will See It)
You could write the best post ever, but if no one sees it, it doesn’t matter.
Best Places to Promote Content
Mediageneous – Great for social media promotion (YouTube, Instagram, etc.).
Reddit – Share in relevant subreddits (don’t spam).
Quora – Answer questions with a link to your post.
Facebook Groups – Engage, then share value.
Email list – If you have one, use it.
Key Takeaways: How to Do Keyword Research Like a Pro
Start with seed keywords (broad terms).
Use free tools to expand your list.
Check search intent (are they researching or buying?).
Steal competitor keywords (legally).
Filter for high-potential keywords.
Create better content than what’s ranking.
Promote like hell—or it won’t matter.
Keyword research isn’t magic. It’s a skill—and now you know how to do it right.
Stop guessing. Start ranking. 🚀
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