37: Keyword Research 2: How to Research Keywords

Summary

In this episode, Meredith's husband discusses how to effectively choose keywords for SEO. He emphasizes the importance of using tools like Google Search Console and SEMrush to find relevant, high-volume, and low-competition keywords. The episode provides detailed steps on how to identify "easy wins" and organize keywords for better rankings. Website owners can use these methods to improve their SEO and avoid wasting time on less effective strategies.

Blog Post: How to Choose the Right Keywords for Your SEO Strategy

Choosing the right keywords is the backbone of any successful SEO strategy. However, many website owners mistakenly assume they already know which keywords to target without doing the necessary research. In the latest episode of Meredith's Husband, the focus is on finding keywords that not only drive traffic but also help your site rank higher without unnecessary competition. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways and how you can implement them for your website.

The Importance of Keyword Research

Keyword research is more than just guessing what your audience is searching for. Without research, you risk targeting the wrong terms, wasting time and effort. A well-thought-out keyword strategy does three things:

1. Identifies what people are searching for

2. Determines the relative popularity of different search terms (search volume)

3. Evaluates the level of competition for those keywords

   
   

Tools to Help You Choose Keywords

The first step to effective keyword research is choosing the right tool. There are several options available, but two major tools discussed in the episode are Google Search Console and SEMrush. Each tool offers different insights, and using both can help you get a full picture of what keywords to target.

• Google Search Console: This free tool from Google allows you to see which keywords your site already ranks for and how high you rank for them. It’s a great place to identify "low-hanging fruit," or keywords that are already ranking close to the top but need a small boost to get onto page one.

• SEMrush: SEMrush provides more in-depth data, including keyword volume, competition, and related keyword variations. This tool also helps you track keyword rankings over time, making it useful for monitoring progress.

How to Identify “Easy Wins”

One of the most valuable strategies discussed in the episode is finding keywords where you're already ranking close to page one, as moving from page two to page one can drastically increase your traffic. By using Google Search Console, you can see which keywords are close to making it to the top of search results. These are often the most cost-effective keywords to focus on because a small push can yield significant results.

To find these easy wins:

• Check which keywords are ranking just off page one (positions 11-20).

• Focus your efforts on boosting those keywords by improving the content on the corresponding page, adding internal links, and possibly reducing competition on other pages.

How to Select and Manage Keywords

Once you have a list of potential keywords, use SEMrush’s Keyword Magic Tool to filter and narrow down the best options. Look for keywords with high search volume but relatively low competition. This allows you to target keywords that people are searching for without facing too much difficulty breaking into the rankings.

After gathering relevant keywords, use SEMrush’s Keyword Manager to track them. From here, you can finalize which keywords to target for each page on your website. It’s essential to align each keyword with a specific page to avoid keyword cannibalization, which can confuse Google and lower your rankings.

Key Points to Remember

• Start with the basics: Begin by using tools like Google Search Console and SEMrush to identify keywords where your site already has some traction.

• Avoid overwhelming competition: Choose keywords that have decent search volume but aren’t overly competitive.

• Map keywords to pages: Make sure each keyword is assigned to the most relevant page on your site to avoid confusion and cannibalization.

By following these steps, you’ll create a solid keyword strategy that increases your chances of ranking higher in search results and driving more organic traffic.

Resources

Meredith’s husband recommends using tools like Google Search Console and SEMrush to find and track keywords. Check out these tools to improve your keyword strategy!