10 best free keyword research tools for SEO
Effective keyword research is the foundation of a solid SEO strategy. It helps you discover the terms and phrases your target audience is searching for, allowing you to optimize your content accordingly. Without proper keyword research, your SEO efforts may fall short in attracting the right audience and ranking high in search results. While paid tools often offer a more comprehensive analysis, several excellent free keyword research tools provide valuable insights without breaking the bank.
In this blog, we’ll explore the 10 best free keyword research tools for SEO, their features, and how they can help you refine your search engine optimization efforts.
Tool name | Best for | Key features | Pros | Cons |
Google Keyword Planner | Broad keyword research from Google. | Search volume, keyword ideas, filtering options. | Reliable data from Google, free to use with a Google Ads account. | Limited features without running ads, less detailed for long-tail keywords. |
Ubersuggest | Beginners and intermediate users. | Keyword suggestions, SEO difficulty, SERP analysis. | Easy to use, keyword suggestions from a variety of sources. | Limited daily searches on the free version. |
Answer the Public | Content creators and marketers. | Question-based keywords, visual reports, data export. | Excellent for discovering long-tail keywords. | Limited searches per day. |
Keyword Surfer | Users want keyword insights directly in the browser. | Search volume, related keywords, CPC data. | Convenient browser extension, real-time insights. | Limited keyword data compared to paid tools. |
Soovle | Cross-platform keyword research. | Suggestions from Google, YouTube, Bing, Amazon, etc. | Cross-platform data, real-time suggestions. | Lacks deeper keyword analysis features. |
Keyword Tool | Long-tail keyword research. | Google autocomplete, multi-platform support. | Focuses on long-tail keywords, multi-platform data. | Limited data on search volume for free version. |
Google Trends | Seasonal and trend-based keyword analysis. | Trend analysis, geographic insights, keyword comparisons. | Free, great for trending topics and seasonal keywords. | Lacks keyword suggestions, not focused on search volume. |
Moz Keyword Explorer | Users seeking in-depth keyword data. | Keyword suggestions, keyword difficulty, CTR. | Comprehensive data from Moz, keyword difficulty analysis. | Limited searches per month, features restricted. |
SEMrush | Comprehensive keyword research tool. | Keyword suggestions, search volume & competition, keyword difficulty. | Offers both free and paid features, detailed analysis. | Free version has limited access to advanced features. |
WordStream’s Free Keyword Tool | Small businesses and content creators. | Keyword suggestions, search volume & competition data. | Simple interface, useful for small-scale SEO projects. | Limited functionality compared to paid tools. |
Google Keyword Planner is a free tool that allows users to research and analyze keywords directly from Google. It’s an essential tool for any SEO campaign, providing insights into keyword search volume, competition, and keyword suggestions, especially useful for those running Google Ads.
Best for: Users who need reliable, broad keyword research directly from Google.
Key features:
- Search volume data: Get average monthly search volume and competition levels.
- Keyword ideas: Provides keyword suggestions based on your business or website.
- Filtering options: Allows filtering keywords based on location, language, and more.
- Historical data: View past performance data to gauge future trends.
- Competition & Bidding info: See the competition levels and suggested bids for ads.
Pros:
- Trusted data directly from Google.
- Helps with keyword ideas based on your specific business or niche.
- Free to use with a Google Ads account.
Cons:
- Requires a Google Ads account to use, which might be an obstacle for some.
- Lacks advanced features for more in-depth analysis.
- Limited keyword suggestion database compared to other tools.
How to use:
- Sign in to Google Ads.
- Navigate to the “Tools & Settings” menu, then select “Keyword Planner.”
- Enter your seed keywords and explore related keyword suggestions.
Pricing: Free (requires a Google Ads account).
Ubersuggest is a versatile and easy-to-use keyword research tool developed by Neil Patel. It provides a range of keyword suggestions, SEO difficulty scores, and SERP analysis. It’s particularly great for beginners and intermediate users, offering a free tier with plenty of useful features.
Best for: Beginners and intermediate users looking for an easy-to-use tool.
Key features:
- Keyword suggestions: Provides a large number of related keyword suggestions.
- SEO difficulty: Measures how competitive each keyword is.
- SERP analysis: Analyzes the top search engine results for each keyword.
- Backlink data: Shows the number of backlinks for the top-ranking pages.
- Traffic data: Estimates the traffic each page could generate based on rankings.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface that is perfect for beginners.
- Free version offers substantial keyword data.
- Provides a wide range of SEO metrics.
Cons:
- Free version limits the number of searches you can do daily.
- Some features like historical data and backlink analysis are limited.
- Less comprehensive than premium versions.
How to use:
- Go to Ubersuggest and enter a keyword.
- Review keyword suggestions and SEO metrics.
- Explore the top-ranking pages for each keyword.
Pricing: Free with some limitations on searches per day.
Answer the Public is a unique tool that generates question-based keywords from Google’s autocomplete feature. It visualizes the keyword suggestions, making it ideal for content creators and marketers who want to focus on addressing user queries.
Best for: Content creators and marketers focusing on question-based search queries.
Key features:
- Question-based keywords: Generates keyword ideas in the form of questions.
- Visual reports: Provides a visual representation of keyword clusters.
- Data export: Allows exporting keyword ideas in CSV format.
- Prepositions & Comparisons: Offers suggestions with prepositions and comparisons (e.g., “how to” vs. “best way to”).
Pros:
- Excellent for discovering long-tail keywords and content ideas.
- Visual keyword data helps easily understand related terms.
- Great for identifying content gaps.
Cons:
- Free version limits the number of searches per day.
- Data is more suited for content creation rather than deep SEO analysis.
- Lacks specific metrics like search volume or difficulty.
How to use:
- Visit Answer the Public.
- Enter your keyword to get visualized keyword clusters.
- Export the list for further use.
Pricing: Free (limited searches per day).
Keyword Surfer is a browser extension that provides real-time keyword data directly in Google search results. It displays important metrics like search volume, related keywords, and CPC data while you browse the web, making it highly convenient for on-the-go keyword research.
Best for: Users who want keyword insights directly in their browser.
Key features:
- Search volume data: Displays search volume for keywords directly in Google search results.
- Related keywords: Shows related keyword suggestions while browsing search results.
- Cost Per Click (CPC) data: Displays estimated CPC for each keyword.
- Export to CSV: Allows exporting keyword data to CSV for further analysis.
- Keyword analysis on the fly: Provides keyword insights with no need to leave the Google search page.
Pros:
- Fast and convenient to use while browsing Google.
- Real-time data displayed directly within search results.
- Free to use with no signup required.
Cons:
- Data is limited to Google searches and doesn’t provide detailed keyword metrics.
- Lacks some advanced features of premium tools like Moz or SEMrush.
How to use:
- Install the Keyword Surfer extension on Google Chrome.
- Conduct a Google search and view keyword data directly within the search results.
Pricing: Free.
Soovle is a multi-platform keyword research tool that gives you keyword suggestions from Google, YouTube, Bing, Amazon, and other search engines. It’s great for discovering keyword ideas across multiple platforms, making it especially useful for marketers and content creators.
Best for: Users who want insights across various search engines and platforms.
Key features:
- Multiple platforms: Provides suggestions for Google, YouTube, Bing, Amazon, and more.
- Autocomplete data: Utilizes autocomplete suggestions from search engines.
- Instant keyword suggestions: Displays real-time keyword suggestions as you type.
- Keyword export: Allows exporting keyword suggestions.
Pros:
- Provides keyword ideas from multiple platforms (Google, YouTube, Amazon, etc.).
- Great for cross-platform content creation.
- Free to use.
Cons:
- Lacks detailed data like search volume or competition levels.
- Not ideal for in-depth keyword research or analysis.
How to use:
- Visit Soovle.
- Enter your keyword to get keyword suggestions across various platforms.
- Use the suggestions for content creation or keyword targeting.
Pricing: Free.
Keyword Tool is a specialized tool that generates long-tail keyword suggestions using Google’s autocomplete. The free version provides insights across multiple platforms like Google, YouTube, and Amazon, making it useful for various types of content creation.
Best for: Users looking for long-tail keywords and multi-platform research.
Key features:
- Autocomplete-based keywords: Generates keyword ideas from Google’s autocomplete.
- Multi-platform support: Generates keywords for Google, YouTube, Bing, Amazon, and more.
- Long-tail keywords: Focuses on long-tail keyword generation.
- Search volume estimates: Provides rough search volume estimates for keywords (in paid version).
Pros:
- Excellent for generating long-tail keywords.
- Supports multiple platforms for keyword data.
- Free to use, with the ability to export keyword lists.
Cons:
- No search volume or competition data available in the free version.
- Limited features without upgrading to the paid version.
How to use:
- Visit Keyword Tool.
- Enter a seed keyword.
- Review and export keyword suggestions.
Pricing: Free (with limitations on search volume data).
Google Trends is a powerful tool for understanding the popularity of search terms over time. It’s especially useful for identifying trending topics and seasonal keyword trends, but it doesn’t provide search volume or competition data.
Best for: Analyzing seasonal trends and keyword performance over time.
Key features:
- Trend analysis: Analyzes search trends over time.
- Geographic insights: Shows keyword interest by region.
- Comparisons: Allows comparing multiple keywords to see which one is more popular.
- Category filters: Helps narrow trends by specific industries or topics.
Pros:
- Free to use and very easy to navigate.
- Great for identifying trending topics and seasonal search patterns.
- Ideal for understanding regional keyword performance.
Cons:
- No detailed keyword suggestions or SEO metrics.
- Not suitable for in-depth keyword research or competition analysis.
How to use:
- Visit Google Trends.
- Enter your keyword to view trend data.
- Compare trends across different keywords and regions.
Pricing: Free.
Moz Keyword Explorer is a well-known tool in the SEO industry that provides keyword suggestions, search volume data, and keyword difficulty analysis. Moz is famous for its comprehensive data and in-depth analysis, making this tool a go-to for serious SEO campaigns.
Best for: Users seeking detailed keyword research and in-depth analysis.
Key features:
- Keyword suggestions: Provides keyword ideas based on your seed keyword.
- Search volume data: Displays estimated search volume for each keyword.
- Keyword difficulty: Offers a difficulty score to help you gauge how competitive each keyword is.
- SERP analysis: Allows you to see the top-ranking pages for each keyword.
- CTR data: Displays the click-through rate (CTR) data for each keyword.
Pros:
- In-depth keyword data and analysis, including keyword difficulty.
- Useful for both beginners and advanced users.
- Strong reputation and trusted data from Moz.
Cons:
- Free version limits searches per month (only 10).
- Some advanced features require a paid version.
- Not as much keyword suggestion data as some free tools.
How to use:
- Create a free Moz account.
- Use Moz Keyword Explorer to search for keyword suggestions.
- Analyze the search volume and competition for each keyword.
Pricing: Free (with a limited number of searches per month).
SEMrush is a comprehensive SEO tool that provides detailed keyword research, competitor analysis, and site audit features. While SEMrush is primarily a paid tool, its free version offers valuable keyword insights, making it a great option for those starting their SEO journey.
Best for: Comprehensive keyword research, competitor analysis, and website audits.
Key features:
- Keyword suggestions: Offers detailed keyword ideas and related keywords.
- Search volume & competition: Provides data on search volume, competition, and trends.
- Keyword difficulty: Displays how competitive a keyword is.
- Competitive analysis: Allows you to see what keywords your competitors are ranking for.
- Domain overview: Gives insights into the top pages and keywords for any domain.
Pros:
- Excellent for in-depth keyword analysis and competitor research.
- Provides a comprehensive view of keyword data.
- Offers a free version with a limited but useful set of features.
Cons:
- The free version is limited in terms of features and number of searches.
- Advanced tools and features are locked behind a paid subscription.
- Can be overwhelming for beginners due to the amount of data provided.
How to use:
- Sign up for a free SEMrush account.
- Enter your seed keyword in the keyword research tool.
- View keyword suggestions and metrics like competition level.
Pricing: Free (with limited features).
WordStream offers a simple and easy-to-use keyword research tool designed for small businesses and marketers. This tool helps users find relevant keywords for their websites or ads and provides search volume, competition data, and keyword suggestions.
Best for: Small businesses and content creators looking for an easy and efficient keyword research tool.
Key features:
- Keyword suggestions: Provides related keyword ideas for any given seed keyword.
- Search volume & competition: Displays estimated search volume and competition level.
- Industry-specific suggestions: Offers keyword suggestions specific to your industry or niche.
- Search trends: Shows the search trends for keywords over time.
Pros:
- Simple and intuitive interface, ideal for beginners.
- Free to use with no sign-up required.
- Keyword suggestions tailored to your industry.
Cons:
- Limited in-depth data compared to other tools.
- The free version offers fewer features than the premium version.
- Not as comprehensive as tools like SEMrush or Moz.
How to use:
- Go to WordStream’s free tool.
- Enter your seed keyword and review the suggested keywords.
- Explore competition and volume data to refine your keyword strategy.
Pricing: Free.
Final thoughts
Effective keyword research is key to a successful SEO strategy, and these 10 free tools are a great place to start or enhance your current efforts. While some tools have limited features compared to their paid counterparts, they still provide valuable insights that can help you discover the right keywords for your website.
Bonus tip: While using these tools, remember to focus on long-tail keywords and search intent. Keywords that match user intent are more likely to drive quality traffic, leading to higher conversion rates.
Author Bio
Sejal Chopra
How to use SEMrush for keyword research?
In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, keyword research is at the core of any successful SEO strategy. One of the most powerful tools for keyword research is SEMrush, an all-in-one SEO platform trusted by marketers worldwide. Whether you’re new to SEMrush or looking to enhance your existing knowledge, this guide will walk you through how to use SEMrush for keyword research, and how you can leverage it to boost your rankings and drive organic traffic.
SEMrush is a popular SEO tool that provides a suite of features for keyword research, site audit, competitive analysis, backlink analysis, and more. Its robust keyword research tools allow you to discover high-potential keywords, assess competition, analyze search volume, and evaluate user intent- all of which are essential for creating an effective SEO strategy.
In this blog, we’ll dive deep into the step-by-step process of how to use SEMrush for keyword researchs and how it can enhance your SEO efforts.
Why use SEMrush for keyword research?
SEMrush is an industry-leading tool for keyword research because it offers:
- Comprehensive keyword data: It provides metrics like search volume, keyword difficulty, competition, CPC, trends, and more.
- Competitor insights: SEMrush allows you to uncover your competitors’ keywords, helping you spot opportunities and stay ahead in your niche.
- Keyword suggestions: You can generate keyword ideas based on your initial search, including long-tail keywords that might be more achievable and conversion-friendly.
- SEO metrics: It integrates essential SEO metrics to help you understand keyword value, such as Keyword Difficulty (KD) and Cost Per Click (CPC).
- Localized results: SEMrush gives you the ability to research keywords by location, ensuring you’re targeting the right audience.
How to use SEMrush for keyword research?
Let’s break down the process into clear, actionable steps:
Step 1: Create your SEMrush account & set up your project
Before you start using SEMrush, sign up for an account (you can try it for free with limited features). Once logged in:
- Set up a project: Go to your SEMrush dashboard and click “Create Project.” This allows you to track your keywords, monitor competitors, and analyze performance over time.
- Set target location: SEMrush lets you customize your target market by selecting countries or cities. This is especially useful if you’re targeting local or regional audiences.
- Integrate google analytics: For better insights, connect your SEMrush account with Google Analytics to track keyword performance across your website.
Step 2: Conduct keyword research using the keyword overview tool
The Keyword Overview tool is the first stop in your SEMrush keyword research journey. Here’s how you can use it:
- Enter your seed keyword: Type a broad keyword related to your niche into the search bar. For example, if you’re in the fitness industry, you could start with “best workout routines.”
- Analyze the results: SEMrush will show an overview of the keyword, including:
- Search volume: The number of searches for that keyword in a given month.
- Keyword Difficulty (KD): The level of competition to rank for that keyword. A higher KD indicates more competition.
- Cost Per Click (CPC): Useful if you plan to run paid campaigns, as it shows how much advertisers pay for each click.
- Trends: This chart shows whether the search volume is increasing or decreasing over time.
- SERP features: Check what search features appear for that keyword (e.g., featured snippets, knowledge graphs).
- Related keywords: SEMrush will also suggest related keywords, helping you expand your keyword list.
Step 3: Discover keyword variations & Long-tail keywords
One of SEMrush’s greatest strengths is its ability to suggest a variety of keywords based on your initial search. To dig deeper:
- Explore the “Keyword Magic Tool”: Enter your primary keyword into the Keyword Magic Tool. SEMrush will generate a list of related keywords, including variations, long-tail keywords, and questions.
- Filter by keyword metrics: Use filters like search volume, KD, CPC, and word count to refine your list and find the best keywords for your SEO or PPC campaigns.
- Look for long-tail keywords: Long-tail keywords (3+ words) are typically less competitive and more specific, making them ideal for driving targeted traffic. SEMrush will show you variations like “best home workout routines for beginners” that you can target.
Step 4: Analyze competitor keywords with the domain overview tool
Understanding your competitors’ keywords is crucial for staying ahead in the SERPs. SEMrush allows you to spy on your competitors’ keyword strategies:
- Enter competitor domain: In the SEMrush search bar, type in a competitor’s website URL.
- Review top keywords: Go to the “Organic Research” tab. Here, SEMrush will display the top organic keywords your competitor is ranking for.
- Identify gaps: Look for keyword gaps—keywords your competitors rank for but you don’t. These are potential opportunities for you to target in your content.
- Check paid keywords: If your competitors are running paid campaigns, SEMrush will also show you their paid keywords, giving you additional insights into their advertising strategies.
Step 5: Assess search intent behind keywords
Understanding search intent is crucial for selecting keywords that will actually convert. SEMrush provides valuable data on user intent:
- Analyze keyword intent: SEMrush can show you if a keyword is informational, transactional, or navigational. By focusing on keywords that match your audience’s intent (e.g., “buy running shoes online” is transactional), you can create content that better meets user needs.
- Monitor SERP features: Review the types of SERP features shown for your keywords. If features like “People Also Ask” or featured snippets are showing, it might indicate that users are looking for quick answers.
Step 6: Track your keywords & Monitor performance
Once you have identified your target keywords, it’s time to track their performance:
- Add keywords to your project: Go to your SEMrush dashboard and add your chosen keywords to your ongoing project. SEMrush will track their rankings over time.
- Monitor SERP position changes: Use the “Position Tracking” tool to monitor how your keywords are performing in the search engine rankings.
- Adjust strategy: Based on keyword performance, adjust your SEO strategy. Focus on improving the rankings of high-performing keywords, and consider adjusting or replacing underperforming ones.
Final thoughts
Using SEMrush for keyword researchs is an incredibly powerful way to stay ahead of your competition, refine your SEO strategy, and optimize your website for organic traffic. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to uncover profitable keywords, assess their intent, and track your progress over time.
If you’re new to SEMrush, don’t hesitate to explore its many features, and remember that keyword research is an ongoing process. Continuously monitor trends, adjust your strategy, and keep your website updated with high-quality content targeting the right keywords.
Author Bio
Sejal Chopra
15 best internal linking tools for SEO
Internal linking is a crucial element in SEO strategy, helping to distribute link equity across your site, improve site navigation, and aid in search engine crawling. Choosing the right internal linking tool can save you time, increase the effectiveness of your strategy, and enhance user experience.
In this post, we explore 15 internal linking tools for SEO, including their features, whether they are free or paid, and their pricing details.
Ahrefs is a comprehensive SEO tool with a powerful Site Audit Tool that can scan your entire website for internal linking issues. It provides a detailed internal link distribution report and suggests improvements, such as finding orphan pages (pages with no internal links) and tracking link equity distribution.
Best for: Site audit, discovering broken links, and content optimization.
Key features:
- Identifies broken internal links and redirects.
- Audits internal link distribution and suggests optimization.
- Provides a site crawl to highlight internal linking issues.
- Offers detailed reports on internal links to help you improve link distribution.
Type: Paid (with a free trial)
Pricing:
- Lite: $129/month
- Standard: $249/month
- Advanced: $449/month
- Enterprise: $14990/month
- Free trial: 7 days
SEMrush is an all-in-one SEO tool that provides a detailed internal linking report in its Site Audit tool. It helps discover pages with too few internal links and provides insights on how to fix your internal link structure.
Best for: Competitor analysis, site audit, and internal linking opportunities.
Key features:
- Identifies orphaned pages and internal link gaps.
- Suggests internal linking opportunities based on content.
- Analyzes the internal link distribution and suggests improvements.
- Tracks internal link performance with actionable insights.
Type: Paid (with a free version for limited features)
Pricing:
- Pro: $139.95/month
- Guru: $249.95/month
- Business: $499.95/month
- Free version offers limited features.
Screaming Frog is a powerful website crawler that provides a thorough analysis of your website’s internal linking structure. It allows you to see how links are distributed across your pages and identifies broken links, redirect chains, and orphan pages.
Best for: Website crawling and discovering internal link structures.
Key features:
- Crawls your site and analyzes the internal link structure.
- Detects orphan pages and broken internal links.
- Provides visual graphs to help you understand internal link flow.
- Allows you to export internal link data for further analysis.
Type: Paid (Free version available with limitations)
Pricing:
- Free version: Up to 500 URLs
- Paid version: £199/year (approximately $250.06)
Link Whisper is a tool that automates the internal linking process by suggesting relevant links based on your content. It helps you build an effective internal linking strategy by recommending contextual links, optimizing anchor text, and ensuring your pages are well-connected.
Best for: Internal link automation and content-based suggestions.
Key features:
- Automatically suggests internal links based on content analysis.
- Tracks internal link performance with detailed reports.
- Provides keyword-based internal linking recommendations.
- Allows manual tweaking of suggested links.
Type: Paid (with a free trial)
Pricing:
- Single site: $97/year
- Three sites: $167/year
- Ten sites: $217/year
- 7-day free trial
Google Search Console is a free tool that allows you to monitor your website’s performance, including internal links. The Links Report in GSC shows the number of internal links pointing to each page on your website, helping you track link distribution and identify opportunities for improvement.
Best for: Identifying internal linking issues and performance tracking.
Key features:
- Monitors the internal link structure and highlights orphan pages.
- Tracks the internal link distribution across your site.
- Provides insights into the performance of your pages in search results.
Type: Free
Pricing: Free
Moz Pro is another great tool for SEO with a robust set of features. Its site crawl tool allows you to identify internal linking issues, such as pages with too few internal links, broken links, and excessive redirects.
Best for: Internal link analysis and site health check.
Key features:
- Site audit features that identify internal link gaps.
- Detects orphaned pages and irrelevant internal links.
- Offers suggestions for improving internal link distribution.
- Provides in-depth SEO reports and action items.
Type: Paid (with a free trial)
Pricing:
- Starter: $49/month
- Standard: $99/month
- Medium: $179/month
- Large: $299/month
- Free trial: 30 days
Internal Link Juicer automates the internal linking process for WordPress websites. It helps you build an efficient internal linking structure by suggesting relevant links based on specific keywords or content. It’s ideal for website owners who want to improve internal linking without manually adding links.
Best for: WordPress plugin for automatic internal linking.
Key features:
- Automatically adds internal links based on selected keywords.
- Customizable anchor text for better SEO.
- Tracks internal link performance and generates detailed reports.
- Helps eliminate orphan pages by automatically linking them.
Type: Paid (for WordPress users)
Pricing:
- Single site: $69.99/year
- Five sites: $149.99/year
- Ten sites: $189.99/year
- Unlimited sites: $1299/year
Yoast SEO is one of the most popular SEO plugins for WordPress. It automatically suggests internal links as you write content, ensuring that your website remains well-connected and optimized for SEO.
Best for: On-page SEO and internal linking optimization (for WordPress).
Key features:
- Automatically suggests internal links based on the content you’re writing.
- Provides SEO analysis for content and internal linking.
- Helps with anchor text optimization and link distribution.
- Includes readability and SEO analysis tools.
Type: Paid (Free version available)
Pricing:
- Free version: Limited features
- Premium version: $99/year (per site)
Link Squad is designed for websites with a large amount of content, offering bulk internal linking features. It provides internal link suggestions and allows you to efficiently manage internal links on your website.
Best for: Bulk internal linking and efficient management.
Key features:
- Bulk internal link suggestions based on content relevance.
- Helps manage internal links across large websites.
- Provides detailed internal linking performance data.
- Allows for the customization of link distribution.
Type: Paid
Pricing:
- Basic Plan: $39/month
- Pro Plan: $79/month
Inlinks focuses on semantic SEO, helping you create an intelligent internal linking structure based on topics and relevance. It recommends internal links that are contextually related to improve user experience and SEO performance.
Best for: Semantic SEO and context-based internal linking.
Key features:
- Contextual, semantic internal linking suggestions based on topics.
- Helps create a strong topical authority by linking related content.
- Provides reports to track link distribution and keyword relevance.
Type: Paid (with a free trial)
Pricing:
- Freelancer: $49/month
- Agency: $196/month
- Enterprise: US$1999/month
- Free trial available
SEOptimer is an easy-to-use SEO audit tool that helps identify internal linking issues on smaller websites. It’s a great tool for beginners who want to quickly assess their internal linking structure without diving into complex audits.
Best for: Simple internal linking audits for small websites.
Key features:
- Simple audit of internal link structure.
- Highlights orphan pages and internal link distribution.
- Suggests improvements to your internal linking strategy.
Type: Free (with premium plans)
Pricing:
- Free version: Limited features
- DIY SEO: $29/month
- White label: $39/month
- White label & embedding: $59/month
AIOSEO is a powerful WordPress plugin designed to simplify SEO efforts, including internal linking. It offers an intuitive interface and tools like the Link Assistant, which automatically suggests relevant internal linking opportunities as you create or update content. This makes it a time-saving solution for optimizing internal links directly within WordPress.
Best for: Content creators and website managers using WordPress who want an integrated solution for internal linking.
Key features:
- Link Assistant to suggest internal links for better content connectivity.
- Automatically identifies orphaned pages and provides linking recommendations.
- Built-in SEO audits to ensure your website adheres to SEO best practices.
- Easy integration with WordPress for seamless internal linking.
- Advanced analytics to measure the impact of internal linking on SEO performance.
Type: Paid (with a free version)
Pricing:
- Basic: $49.60/year
- Pro: $99.60/year
- Plus: $174.65/year
- Elite: $224.70/year
- Free Version: Limited functionality
Frase is an advanced content optimization and internal linking tool. It uses AI to provide contextual suggestions for internal links and ensures your content remains user-focused while improving SEO rankings. Its ability to integrate seamlessly with your content creation workflow makes it ideal for teams focused on quality and relevance.
Best for: Content creators and SEO teams looking to enhance internal linking with AI-driven suggestions.
Key features:
- AI-powered internal linking recommendations.
- Context-based link suggestions to enhance content relevancy.
- Integration with content creation tools for seamless optimization.
- Link auditing to identify gaps and improve structure.
Type: Paid
Pricing:
- Solo: $15/month
- Basic: $45/month
- Team: $115/month
- Free trial: Available for 7 days
Link Storm is an advanced internal linking tool that focuses on automating and optimizing your internal link-building process. It uses AI-driven algorithms to recommend contextually relevant links, ensuring that your website’s content is well-connected and user-friendly. It also helps boost link equity and improves navigation for both users and search engines.
Best for: Large-scale websites or content-heavy platforms looking to automate and streamline internal link building.
Key features:
- AI-powered recommendations for internal links.
- Automatically scans for linking opportunities within existing content.
- Tracks link equity distribution and offers improvement suggestions.
- Provides insights to enhance user experience and SEO rankings.
Type: Paid
Pricing:
- Small: $30/month
- Medium: $60/month
- Large: $120/month
- Free trial: 7 days
WebCEO is an all-in-one SEO toolset that includes a dedicated module for managing and optimizing internal links. This tool is ideal for businesses and SEO professionals who want comprehensive reports and actionable suggestions to improve their website’s internal linking structure.
Best for: Agencies, SEO teams, and businesses seeking a comprehensive SEO toolkit with internal link optimization.
Key features:
- Evaluates your website’s internal link structure for optimization opportunities.
- Identifies inconsistencies in anchor texts and suggests improvements.
- Automatically detects and helps fix broken internal and external links.
- Provides a graphical representation of your internal link network.
- Tracks internal link metrics alongside other SEO elements like rankings and backlinks.
Type: Paid (with a free trial)
Pricing:
- Free trial: 14 days
- Startup: $119/month
- Agency unlimited: $99/month
- Corporate: $299/month
Final thoughts
Internal linking is a key factor in improving your website’s SEO performance. By using the right tools, you can optimize your internal link structure, ensure proper distribution of link equity, and enhance user experience. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced SEO professional, these 15 internal linking tools will help you take your internal linking strategy to the next level.
Author Bio
Sejal Chopra
The complete keyword research guide for 2025
Keyword research is the foundation of every successful SEO strategy. It helps you understand what your target audience is searching for, how competitive certain terms are, and what opportunities exist to rank higher in search results.
In 2025, with the constant evolution of search engine algorithms, emerging technologies like AI, and changing user behaviors, it’s more important than ever to stay updated with the latest trends and best practices.
In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know to perform effective keyword research and boost your search engine visibility in 2025.
What is a keyword?
A keyword is any word or phrase that users type into a search engine. It could range from single words like “SEO” to longer phrases like “best SEO strategies for small businesses in 2025.”
Types of keywords
Keywords can be categorized into different types, such as:
1. Short-tail keywords
- Definition: Broad, high-volume keywords usually consisting of 1-2 words.
- Examples: “Shoes,” “Digital marketing.”
- Use case: Ideal for driving high traffic but often less targeted.
- Tip: Best used as part of a broader strategy.
2. Medium-tail keywords
- Definition: These are phrases longer than short-tail keywords but shorter than long-tail ones, usually 2-3 words. They strike a balance between search volume and specificity.
- Examples: “Digital marketing tools,” “Best hiking shoes.”
- Use case: Useful for targeting moderately competitive niches.
- Tip: Combine medium-tail keywords with long-tail phrases for layered targeting.
3. Long-tail keywords
- Definition: Highly specific phrases often containing 3+ words.
- Examples: “Affordable running shoes for men,” “Digital marketing tools for small businesses.”
- Use case: Great for niche targeting and higher conversion rates.
- Tip: Use these keywords to capture highly targeted traffic.
4. Branded keywords
- Definition: Keywords that include brand names.
- Examples: “Nike running shoes,” “Apple iPhone 15.”
- Use case: Essential for brand recognition and targeting existing customers.
- Tip: Protect your brand by ranking for branded terms.
5. Non-branded keywords
- Definition: Generic terms without specific brand mentions.
- Examples: “Best smartphones,” “Affordable laptops.”
- Use case: Ideal for reaching new customers in the awareness stage.
- Tip: Use non-branded keywords to expand your audience.
6. Informational keywords
- Definition: Keywords used to gather information or learn.
- Examples: “How to bake a cake,” “SEO tips for beginners.”
- Use Case: Ideal for blog posts and educational content.
- Tip: Use these to establish authority in your niche.
7. Transactional keywords
- Definition: Keywords showing buying intent.
- Examples: “Buy noise-canceling headphones,” “Pickup truck for sale.”
- Use case: Perfect for e-commerce and service-based websites.
- Tip: Include clear CTAs with these keywords.
8. Commercial keywords
- Definition: Keywords indicating that a user is comparing products or exploring buying options.
- Examples: “Best website for online shopping,” “Best smartphones under $500.”
- Use case: Best for blogs, comparison pages, and product reviews.
- Tip: Use these keywords to guide users further down the sales funnel.
9. Navigational keywords
- Definition: Keywords used when a user is searching for a specific website, brand, or product.
- Examples: “Facebook login,” “Amazon Prime,” “YouTube homepage.”
- Use case: Ideal for guiding users directly to a specific page or resource.
- Tip: Ensure your site ranks for navigational keywords relevant to your brand to capture user intent effectively.
Why is keyword research important?
Keyword research helps you:
- Discover what users are searching for.
- Understand search intent and tailor content accordingly.
- Identify gaps in the market.
- Evaluate your competitors’ strategies.
To explore why keyword research is a game-changer for your SEO strategy, read our comprehensive blog on this topic.
Step-by-Step keyword research process
Effective keyword research is the foundation of a successful SEO strategy. Understanding what your audience is searching for and how to optimize your content for the right keywords is essential for driving organic traffic and generating leads. This comprehensive guide walks you through a complete keyword research process for 2025, using a combination of tools, competitor analysis, and user intent optimization.
Step 1: Define your niche & audience
Before you start researching keywords, it’s essential to understand your target audience and niche. A deep understanding of who you’re trying to reach helps you choose the most relevant keywords.
- Create audience personas: Start by creating detailed personas based on your ideal customers. Consider factors such as:
A. Demographic segmentation: Age, gender, location, income, education, etc.
B. Psychographic segmentation: Pain points, needs, and aspirations.
C. Behavioral segmentation: Interests, hobbies, purchasing behavior.
D. Geographical segmentation: Location-specific details such as country, region, city, or urban/rural areas.
- Search intent: Understand why people are searching. Search intent can be categorized as:
A. Informational (e.g., “how to use eco-friendly products”)
B. Navigational (e.g., “amazon prime”)
C. Transactional (e.g., “buy noise-canceling headphones”)
D. Commercial (e.g., “best smartphones under $500”)
This step ensures that the keywords you select align with the needs and desires of your audience.
Step 2: Brainstorm seed keywords
Seed keywords are the foundation of your research. These are general terms that are related to your business, industry, or products.
- Start with core concepts: Think about the primary services or products you offer. For instance, if you sell eco-friendly products, seed keywords might include:
- “eco-friendly products”
- “green products”
- “sustainable home goods”
- “organic cleaning products”
- Use specific terms: If you sell a specific category of eco-friendly products (e.g., reusable water bottles), include those as seed keywords as well.
Brainstorming a list of seed keywords will give you the basic search terms that people might use to find products or services like yours.
Step 3: Conduct competitor research
Competitor research helps you understand what your competitors are ranking for and where there might be opportunities for you to capitalize.
- Identify competitors: Start by identifying your top competitors. These could be direct competitors or businesses in the same niche.
- Keyword analysis: Use SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest to analyze which keywords your competitors are ranking for. Focus on competitors who have similar offerings, and examine the following:
- Keywords: See which keywords drive the most traffic to their website.
- Keyword gaps: Look for opportunities where your competitors are missing out on high-traffic or high-conversion keywords.
- Keywords: See which keywords drive the most traffic to their website.
By performing competitor research, you gain valuable insight into what’s already working in your industry and what keywords are driving results.
Step 4: Use Google Keyword Planner (GKP) for keyword expansion
Final thoughts
Keyword research is a crucial element of your SEO strategy in 2025. It allows you to understand what your audience is searching for and how you can create content that satisfies their needs.
By following a structured keyword research process and using the right tools, you can boost your online visibility, attract targeted traffic, and ultimately drive business growth. Keep evolving your strategy to stay ahead of trends and changes in the digital landscape.
Author Bio
Sejal Chopra
The complete guide to technical SEO in 2025: From fundamentals to audits
Technical SEO forms the foundation of a high-performing website. It ensures that your website is optimized for search engines and provides an exceptional user experience. This detailed guide will walk you through all critical aspects of technical SEO, step by step, to help you excel in 2025.
What is technical SEO?
Technical SEO is the process of optimizing your website for crawling, indexing, and ranking on search engines. Unlike on-page SEO (content optimization) and off-page SEO (link-building strategies), technical SEO focuses on the backend of your website.
Importance of technical SEO
Technical SEO is the backbone of a successful online presence, ensuring that a website is search engine-friendly and capable of delivering a seamless user experience. Here’s why Technical SEO is essential:
1. Improves crawlability & indexing
- Search engines can find your content: Technical SEO ensures that search engine crawlers can effectively navigate and index your site. Proper use of sitemaps, robots.txt files, and structured data helps search engines understand your site’s structure and prioritize its content.
- Avoids missing pages: Pages that aren’t crawled won’t appear in search results, impacting visibility.
2. Enhances website speed & performance
- Better user experience: Fast-loading websites reduce bounce rates and improve user satisfaction.
- Search engine ranking factor: Page speed is a critical ranking factor for Google, and optimizing it through techniques like compression, caching, and using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) boosts SEO performance.
3. Mobile-friendliness
- Google’s mobile-first indexing: With mobile-first indexing, Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in search rankings. Technical SEO ensures your website is responsive and delivers a seamless experience across all devices.
4. Prevents duplicate content issues
- Consolidates ranking signals: Canonical tags and proper URL structures help consolidate traffic to the correct version of a page, preventing dilution of ranking power.
- Avoids penalties: Duplicate content can confuse search engines, leading to reduced visibility.
5. Boosts security with HTTPS
- Trust & Credibility: A secure site (HTTPS) is not only favored by search engines but also by users. It helps protect data and builds trust, encouraging visitors to engage with your site.
6. Optimizes site architecture
- Improved internal linking: A well-structured website makes it easier for crawlers to understand the hierarchy of pages, improving overall indexing.
- Efficient navigation: Clear navigation improves user experience, increasing the chances of conversions.
7. Reduces bounce rates
- Faster, error-free sites: Addressing technical issues like 404 errors, redirect chains, and server response times ensures users don’t encounter frustrations that lead them to leave.
8. Supports advanced SEO strategies
- Structured data & Rich snippets: Implementing schema markup enhances search result appearances with rich snippets, increasing click-through rates (CTR).
- Voice search optimization: Technical SEO plays a role in optimizing for emerging trends like voice search by emphasizing structured data and fast-loading content.
9. Future-proofing against algorithm updates
- Staying competitive: A technically optimized site is better equipped to handle algorithm changes that prioritize speed, mobile-friendliness, and user experience.
- Long-term benefits: Technical SEO lays the foundation for sustainable organic growth.
10. Provides actionable insights
- Data-driven improvements: Technical SEO audits highlight performance bottlenecks and areas for optimization, enabling targeted efforts to improve rankings.
How complicated is technical SEO?
Technical SEO can seem complex at first glance due to the variety of factors and tools involved. However, breaking it down into manageable components and following a systematic approach makes it less daunting.
Factors contributing to complexity
- Diverse skills required: Knowledge of web development, server configurations, and SEO principles is often needed.
- Constantly evolving guidelines: Search engines like Google regularly update their algorithms, requiring continuous learning and adaptation.
- Integration of multiple tools: Tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, and Ahrefs are essential but can be overwhelming for beginners.
Why is it manageable?
- Structured approach: Dividing tasks like crawlability, speed optimization, and mobile-friendliness into separate steps simplifies the process.
- Automated tools: Many tools provide automated insights and fixes, reducing manual effort. For example, plugins like Yoast SEO or RankMath streamline technical tasks for WordPress users.
- Resources & Communities: A wealth of tutorials, blogs, and forums (e.g., Moz, SEMrush, Google Webmasters) exist to guide and support you.
Tips to simplify technical SEO
- Start with an audit: Use tools like Screaming Frog or SEMrush Site Audit to identify and prioritize issues.
- Focus on fundamentals: Ensure your site is mobile-friendly, secure (HTTPS), and has a proper sitemap and robots.txt file.
- Learn gradually: Start with basics and progressively tackle advanced topics like structured data or Core Web Vitals.
When to seek expert help?
While small websites can often handle technical SEO in-house, larger, more complex websites may require professional expertise. Hiring an SEO expert ensures that intricate issues like international SEO, server-side configurations, or large-scale site migrations are handled effectively.
In summary: Technical SEO might seem challenging, but with the right tools, a structured approach, and continual learning, it’s entirely manageable. The key is to start with the basics and gradually build your expertise.
Key elements of technical SEO
1. Website architecture & crawling
The way your website is structured affects both user experience and search engine bots’ ability to navigate your site.
Importance of site architecture
A well-organized website structure ensures that both users and bots can easily find content. It directly impacts crawlability and link equity distribution.
Best practices for crawlability
A. Robots.txt file
Create a robots.txt file to guide search engines on which parts of your site to crawl.
User-agent: *
Disallow: /private-data/
B. XML sitemap
- Generate and submit an XML sitemap to search engines to provide a roadmap of your site.
Tools to use: Yoast SEO, Screaming Frog, or Google Search Console.
C. Resolve crawl errors
- Use Google Search Console to identify and fix 404 errors, broken links, or server issues.
2. Mobile-first indexing
Since Google transitioned to mobile-first indexing, your website’s mobile performance significantly impacts rankings.
Why does mobile optimization matter?
- Mobile devices account for over 60% of global website traffic.
- Google primarily uses the mobile version of your site for indexing.
Tips for mobile optimization
- Responsive web design: Ensure your site adapts to different screen sizes. Use CSS frameworks like Bootstrap.
- Optimize navigation: Use hamburger menus and clickable buttons for a smoother experience.
- Test mobile-friendliness: Tools: Google Mobile-Friendly Test, BrowserStack.
3. Page speed optimization
Page speed is a critical ranking factor and directly affects user engagement and bounce rates.
Analyzing page speed
- Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, and WebPageTest to assess your site’s performance.
Strategies to improve speed
- Enable compression: Compress files using GZIP or server-side tools.
- Optimize images: Compress images with tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim. Use next-gen formats like WebP.
- Minify code: Remove unnecessary spaces and comments in CSS, JavaScript, and HTML. Use tools like UglifyJS or MinifyCode.
- Leverage browser caching: Configure caching in your .htaccess file.
- Use a CDN: Distribute content globally for faster delivery with services like Cloudflare or Amazon CloudFront.
4. HTTPS & Site security
A secure website not only protects user data but also improves trustworthiness and rankings.
Implementing HTTPS
- Obtain an SSL certificate from providers like Let’s Encrypt or Comodo.
- Verify the HTTPS setup using tools like SSL Checker.
Regular security audits
- Update plugins and CMS platforms.
- Use tools like Sucuri Security or Wordfence for malware scanning and firewall protection.
5. Structured data & Schema markup
Schema markup enhances search engines’ understanding of your content and enables rich snippets, boosting CTR.
Types of schema markup
- Breadcrumbs: Help users navigate your site.
- Product schema: Display product prices, availability, and ratings.
- FAQ schema: Ideal for blog content.
Tools for schema implementation
- Google structured data markup helper: For creating structured data.
- Yoast SEO plugin: Simplifies schema integration.
- Validate using Google’s Rich Results Test.
6. Core Web Vitals & User experience
Core Web Vitals are crucial metrics introduced by Google to assess page experience.
Key metrics
- Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): Should occur within 2.5 seconds.
- First Input Delay (FID): Should be less than 100 milliseconds.
- Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): Aim for a score below 0.1.
How to improve Core Web Vitals?
- Optimize fonts by using font-display: swap.
- Lazy-load images using plugins or scripts.
- Minimize third-party scripts.
7. Duplicate content issues
Duplicate content can confuse search engines and lower rankings.
Common scenarios
- Printer-friendly pages.
- Session IDs in URLs.
Fixing duplicate content
- Use canonical tags to point to the primary version of the page.
- Implement 301 redirects for redundant pages.
8. International SEO
Catering to a global audience requires specific technical SEO practices.
Best practices
- Hreflang tags: Specify the language and region for pages.
- Localized content: Create region-specific pages.
- Use tools like Ahrefs to track international rankings.
9. Canonicalization
Canonicalization ensures search engines know which version of a page is the master copy, preventing duplicate content issues.
Why does canonicalization matter?
It helps avoid duplicate content penalties and consolidates ranking signals to the preferred page.
How to implement canonical tags?
- Add a <link rel=”canonical” href=”URL” /> tag in the <head> section of the preferred page.
- Use tools like Screaming Frog or Google Search Console to detect and fix issues.
10. URL structure optimization
A clean and organized URL structure improves both user experience and crawlability.
Best practices for URL optimization
- Use short, descriptive URLs that include target keywords.
- Avoid dynamic parameters like ?id=12345.
- Maintain consistency with lowercase letters.
- Use hyphens (-) to separate words, not underscores (_).
Example
- Good URL: example.com/technical-seo-guide
- Bad URL: example.com/?p=12345
11. 404 error management
Handling 404 errors effectively ensures users and search engines don’t encounter dead ends.
Steps to manage 404 errors
- Regularly audit your site for broken links using tools like Ahrefs or Screaming Frog.
- Create a custom 404 page that helps users find relevant content.
- Redirect broken links to relevant pages using 301 redirects.
12. Pagination optimization
Pagination ensures large sets of content are split across multiple pages in a crawlable manner.
Best practices for pagination
- Use rel=”next” and rel=”prev” tags in the <head> section to guide crawlers.
- Include a canonical tag on paginated pages pointing to the main category page.
- Ensure each paginated page has unique meta descriptions and titles.
13. HTTP/2 implementation
Upgrading to HTTP/2 can significantly enhance site speed and performance.
Why HTTP/2?
- Supports multiplexing: Multiple requests are handled simultaneously.
- Reduces latency, improving load times.
How to implement?
Check with your hosting provider if they support HTTP/2 and enable it through server settings.
14. Log file analysis
Log file analysis helps understand how search engines crawl your site.
Tools for log file analysis
- Screaming Frog Log File Analyzer.
- Splunk or ELK Stack.
Insights to gain
- Identify pages crawled most frequently.
- Detects crawl errors like 403 or 500 status codes.
- Analyze which bots (e.g., Googlebot, Bingbot) access your site.
15. Orphan pages
Orphan pages are those that aren’t linked from any other pages on your site, making them hard for search engines to find.
How to fix orphan pages?
- Use tools like Screaming Frog to identify orphan pages.
- Link these pages from relevant sections of your site.
- Include them in your XML sitemap.
16. Redirect chains & loops
Excessive redirect chains or loops can confuse crawlers and slow down site performance.
How to fix it?
- Audit your site for redirect chains using tools like SEMrush.
- Replace chains with direct 301 redirects.
- Avoid creating infinite loops by testing redirects thoroughly.
17. JavaScript SEO
With more websites relying on JavaScript frameworks, ensuring your content is crawlable is vital.
Best practices for JavaScript SEO
- Use server-side rendering (SSR) or dynamic rendering.
- Verify what Googlebot sees using the “Inspect URL” tool in Google Search Console.
- Avoid hiding important content in JavaScript.
18. Multilingual SEO
If your site targets multiple languages or regions, multilingual SEO practices are crucial.
Key practices
- Use hreflang tags to specify language and regional targeting.
- Ensure translated versions are fully localized, including keywords and metadata.
- Avoid automated translations that reduce content quality.
19. Content Delivery Network (CDN)
A CDN can dramatically improve loading times, especially for global audiences.
How to implement?
- Choose a CDN provider like Cloudflare, Akamai, or AWS CloudFront.
- Configure your website to serve static assets like images and scripts through the CDN.
20. Robots meta tags
Robots meta tags control how search engines crawl and index your pages.
Common robots meta tag values
- noindex: Prevents indexing of a page.
- nofollow: Prevents bots from following links on the page.
- noarchive: Prevents search engines from caching the page.
Usage example
<meta name=”robots” content=”noindex, nofollow”>
21. Server response codes
Proper server response codes help search engines understand the status of your pages.
Key codes to monitor
- 200: Page is OK.
- 301: Permanent redirect.
- 302: Temporary redirect.
- 404: Page not found.
- 500: Server error.
How to monitor?
Use tools like Screaming Frog or server logs to identify response code issues.
22. Image optimization for SEO
Images can boost your site’s visibility if optimized correctly.
Key steps
- Use descriptive file names and alt tags.
- Compress images with tools like TinyPNG.
- Serve images in next-gen formats like WebP.
Best technical SEO tools
Implementing technical SEO requires the right tools to analyze, monitor, and optimize your website’s performance. Here are some highly recommended tools to help you with technical SEO:
A. Crawling & Auditing tools
1. Screaming Frog SEO Spider
- Purpose: Comprehensive website crawl for SEO issues.
- Features: Identify broken links, missing metadata, duplicate content.
- Use: Ideal for auditing websites of any size to fix technical errors.
2. Sitebulb
- Purpose: SEO auditing with visual insights.
- Features: Crawl reports, structured data analysis, Core Web Vitals checks.
- Use: Best for visualizing complex site structures and audit findings.
3. DeepCrawl
- Purpose: Enterprise-level site audits.
- Features: JavaScript rendering analysis, crawl budget optimization.
- Use: Great for identifying indexing and crawlability issues on large sites.
4. Botify
- Purpose: Optimize enterprise websites for search engine crawling.
- Features: Log analysis, structured data insights, rendering optimization.
- Use: Suited for e-commerce or large, dynamic sites with complex architectures.
B. Page speed & Core Web Vitals
1. GTmetrix
- Purpose: Analyze and improve website loading speed.
- Features: Waterfall reports, Core Web Vitals metrics, video analysis.
- Use: Great for pinpointing bottlenecks in page performance.
2. Google PageSpeed Insights
- Purpose: Measure website performance on mobile and desktop.
- Features: Core Web Vitals insights, actionable suggestions for speed improvement.
- Use: Best for understanding Google’s perspective on page speed optimization.
3. Lighthouse
- Purpose: Assess website performance, accessibility, and SEO.
- Features: Detailed metrics for PWA compliance, performance scores.
- Use: Use for improving technical aspects directly affecting rankings.
4. WebPageTest
- Purpose: Advanced testing for performance bottlenecks.
- Features: Multiple device testing, real-world simulation, multistep transaction analysis.
- Use: Suitable for in-depth performance analysis and debugging.
C. Log file analysis tools
1. SEO Log File Analyzer by Screaming Frog
- Purpose: Monitor and analyze search engine bot behavior.
- Features: Visualize crawler activity, detect crawl errors.
- Use: Excellent for managing crawl budget and identifying indexation problems.
2. Splunk
- Purpose: Enterprise-level log analysis for technical SEO.
- Features: Log aggregation, crawl behavior visualization, advanced filtering.
- Use: Ideal for large websites needing detailed log insights.
D. Structured data & Schema validation
1. Google Rich Results Test
- Purpose: Validate structured data for eligibility in rich results.
- Features: Check markup for errors, preview search result appearance.
- Use: Essential for ensuring rich snippets display correctly in SERPs.
2. Schema Markup Generator (Merkle)
- Purpose: Create schema markup for various data types.
- Features: Simple interface, JSON-LD code generation.
- Use: Useful for quickly generating valid structured data.
3. SEO Structured Data Tool by Classy Schema
- Purpose: Validate structured data implementation.
- Features: Rich snippet testing, structured data optimization.
- Use: Ideal for fine-tuning schema for better SERP performance.
E. Mobile Optimization tools
1. Google Mobile-Friendly Test
- Purpose: Ensure mobile usability of web pages.
- Features: Detect mobile-specific issues, compatibility suggestions.
- Use: A must-use tool for maintaining mobile-first indexing standards.
2. BrowserStack
- Purpose: Test website compatibility across devices.
- Features: Real-time testing, debugging tools, and responsive design previews.
- Use: Great for ensuring consistent performance on various mobile devices.
F. Indexing & Sitemap tools
1. Google Search Console (GSC)
- Purpose: Monitor website indexing and search performance.
- Features: Sitemap submission, index coverage reports, performance metrics.
- Use: Core tool for tracking how Google indexes and ranks your site.
2. Bing Webmaster Tools
- Purpose: Optimize websites for Bing’s search engine.
- Features: Backlink data, keyword insights, and indexing tools.
- Use: Useful for tapping into Bing’s audience and refining strategies.
G. Security tools
1. SSL Labs
- Purpose: Test and validate SSL configurations.
- Features: Analyze SSL setup, detect vulnerabilities.
- Use: Essential for ensuring HTTPS compliance and secure user data.
2. Sucuri SiteCheck
- Purpose: Scan for malware and security risks.
- Features: Identify hacks, security gaps, and vulnerabilities.
- Use: Best for maintaining website safety and preventing blacklisting.
H. Content delivery & Caching
1. Cloudflare
- Purpose: Speed up website delivery through a CDN.
- Features: DDoS protection, caching, global content delivery.
- Use: Ideal for reducing latency and protecting against attacks.
2. Amazon CloudFront
- Purpose: Distribute content globally with low latency.
- Features: Edge caching, real-time metrics, and scalable delivery.
- Use: Suitable for high-traffic websites needing seamless performance.
Final thoughts
Technical SEO in 2025 is more crucial than ever. By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll ensure your website remains competitive, offering excellent performance, a seamless user experience, and top-notch security. Regular audits and updates are essential to maintaining your site’s health and maximizing its potential for higher rankings.
Start implementing these strategies today and dominate the search rankings in 2025!
Author Bio
Sejal Chopra
How to do keyword research for blog writing?
Effective keyword research is the cornerstone of successful blog writing. It helps you understand your audience’s needs, enhance your content visibility, and drive organic traffic. Whether you’re a seasoned blogger or a newcomer, understanding how to identify and target the right keywords can significantly boost your content’s searchability. This guide takes you through a thorough, step-by-step process of conducting keyword research specifically for blog writing.
Benefits of Keyword Research for Blog Writing
Effective keyword research doesn’t just help with SEO—it brings a range of benefits that enhance the overall quality and performance of your blog. Here’s why keyword research is essential:
- Improved Content Visibility: Targeting the right keywords helps your blog rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). This means more people can discover your content, leading to increased traffic.
- Enhanced User Engagement: By understanding search intent, you create content that aligns with what your audience is searching for. This makes your blog more relevant, engaging, and helpful to readers.
- Higher Organic Traffic: Strategically selected keywords attract a steady flow of organic traffic, reducing your dependence on paid advertising. This makes your blog more cost-effective in the long term.
- Better Audience Targeting: Keyword research helps you understand your audience’s preferences, pain points, and interests. This allows you to create tailored content that resonates with your readers, improving retention and loyalty.
- Competitive Advantage: Analyzing competitor keywords gives you insights into what’s working in your niche. This helps you identify gaps and opportunities, enabling you to stand out from the competition.
- Increased Conversion Rates: Long-tail keywords and intent-based keywords often target users closer to making a decision. By addressing these queries effectively, you can drive more conversions, whether it’s subscriptions, downloads, or sales.
- Content Planning Made Easy: Keyword research provides a roadmap for creating relevant and in-demand content. It helps you identify trending topics, seasonal opportunities, and evergreen content ideas.
- Trackable Performance Metrics: With the right keyword strategy, you can track your blog’s performance using analytics tools. Metrics like search rankings, click-through rates (CTR), and organic traffic give you clear indicators of success.
- Supports Long-Term Growth: Keyword research ensures your blog content remains relevant and competitive over time. It enables you to adapt to shifting trends and consistently attract new readers.
By leveraging the benefits of keyword research, you set the foundation for a successful blog that not only ranks well but also delivers value to your audience.
Step-by-Step process for keyword research for blog writing
Step 1: Understand your audience & intent
Before diving into keyword research, it’s vital to have a clear understanding of your target audience and niche. Defining your niche and audience personas allows you to select the most relevant keywords for your content.
Create audience personas:
Start by creating detailed profiles of your ideal blog readers, considering these factors:
- Demographics: Age, gender, income, location, education, etc.
- Psychographics: Pain points, needs, aspirations, challenges.
- Behavioral patterns: Online behavior, browsing preferences, and interests.
- Geographical information: Targeting specific locations like country, region, city, or urban/rural areas.
Understanding search intent:
Search intent refers to why people are searching for something. It helps you align your keywords with the user’s needs. There are four key types of search intent:
- Informational: Users seek to learn something (e.g., “how to improve blog SEO”).
- Navigational: Users are looking for a specific website (e.g., “WordPress login”).
- Transactional: Users are ready to make a purchase (e.g., “buy SEO tools”).
- Commercial: Users are researching options before buying (e.g., “best SEO tools for bloggers”).
Step 2: Brainstorm seed keywords
Seed keywords are the foundation of your keyword research process. These are broad terms related to your blog’s topic and niche.
Start with core concepts:
Think about the primary topics your blog focuses on. For example, if you run a blog on SEO, your seed keywords might include:
- “SEO tips for bloggers”
- “On-page SEO”
- “Keyword research for blogs”
Use specific terms:
If you focus on a particular aspect of SEO (e.g., content writing for SEO), include those as specific seed keywords as well:
- “SEO content writing”
- “Keyword strategy for blog writing”
- “On-page SEO content tips”
Step 3: Use keyword research tools
Once you have your seed keywords, you can expand your list using keyword research tools. Here are some popular tools you can use:
- Google Keyword Planner: Google’s Keyword Planner is a free tool that provides keyword ideas, search volume, and competition data. You can use it to find related keywords and their performance in terms of search volume.
- SEMrush: SEMrush is a premium tool that offers an in-depth analysis of keyword data, including search volume, competition, trends, and keyword variations. It also provides competitor analysis, showing you what keywords your competitors are ranking for.
- Ahrefs: Ahrefs is another powerful SEO tool with a comprehensive keyword research feature. It shows keyword difficulty, search volume, click-through rates, and more.
- Ubersuggest: Ubersuggest, created by Neil Patel, is a free keyword research tool that offers a range of data on search volume, competition, and keyword trends. It also helps you discover content ideas and related long-tail keywords.
- Answer The Public: Answer The Public is an excellent tool for discovering questions, phrases, and long-tail keywords that people are searching for. It gives you a visual representation of search queries related to your keyword.
Step 4: Analyze competitor content
Competitor research allows you to discover what keywords are working for others in your niche. This helps you identify keyword gaps and opportunities.
Identify competitors:
Look at blogs or websites in the same niche, especially those that rank well for topics you’re interested in. These competitors can be direct or indirect.
Keyword analysis:
Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest to find out which keywords are driving traffic to your competitors’ blogs. Check for:
- High-performing keywords that drive substantial traffic.
- Gaps in their keyword strategies where you can target underserved topics.
Step 5: Evaluate keywords based on search volume, intent & competition
Once you have a list of potential keywords, it’s essential to evaluate them on several important factors:
- Search volume: This metric shows how many searches a keyword gets per month. High-volume keywords bring more traffic but are also more competitive.
- Search intent: Make sure the keyword matches the user’s intent. For blog content, informational and commercial investigation keywords are ideal.
- Competition: Analyze how competitive a keyword is. Tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs can help you assess how many authoritative sites are targeting the same keyword.
Step 6: Focus on long-tail keywords
Long-tail keywords are highly specific and typically consist of three or more words. While they tend to have lower search volume, they usually lead to higher conversion rates because they capture more focused user intent.
For example, instead of targeting the broad keyword “SEO”, a long-tail version might be:
- “Best on-page SEO practices for blogs”
- “How to do keyword research for blog writing in 2024”
Why target long-tail keywords?
- Lower competition: Long-tail keywords are less competitive, making it easier to rank.
- Higher conversion rates: They attract more qualified visitors who are closer to making a decision or finding the information they need.
Step 7: Filter out irrelevant keywords
Once you have a list of potential keywords, filter out those that aren’t relevant to your blog’s goals.
Consider the following:
- Relevance: Ensure the keywords align with the topics your blog covers.
- Volume: While high-volume keywords are appealing, they may be too competitive for new blogs.
- Intent: Make sure the keywords are aligned with your content’s purpose—whether it’s to educate, entertain, or drive sales.
Step 8: Optimize your blog content with target keywords
Once you’ve completed your keyword research, it’s time to optimize your blog post. Here are some tips for incorporating your keywords:
- Title: Use your main keyword in the title to ensure it’s relevant to search queries.
- Headings & Subheadings: Incorporate variations of your keywords into H1, H2, and H3 tags.
- Content body: Naturally sprinkle your keywords throughout the content. Avoid keyword stuffing.
- Meta description: Include your target keywords in the meta description for better visibility in search engine results.
Step 9: Monitor & Update your keyword strategy
Keyword research is not a one-time task; it’s an ongoing process. Regularly monitor your rankings, traffic, and conversion rates to see how well your chosen keywords are performing.
- Track rankings: Use tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Google Search Console to track keyword rankings.
- Analyze traffic: Check if the keywords you targeted are driving the right kind of traffic to your blog.
- Adjust based on performance: If certain keywords are underperforming, adjust your strategy by revisiting the keyword list and refining your blog content.
Final thoughts
Keyword research is the foundation of successful blog writing. By identifying the right keywords, understanding your audience’s search intent, and optimizing your content accordingly, you can significantly enhance your blog’s visibility and drive organic traffic.
Remember, keyword research is an ongoing process. As trends change and your blog evolves, keep refining your keyword strategy to stay ahead of the competition and continue providing valuable content to your readers.
Ready to take your keyword research to the next level? Don’t miss our “Complete Keyword Research Guide for 2025” for expert tips and strategies.
Author Bio
Sejal Chopra
How to do keyword research for YouTube for optimum results?
Keyword research is a critical step for creating successful YouTube content. With over 2 billion logged-in monthly users, YouTube is the second largest search engine globally, making it a powerful platform for visibility and growth. Here is a comprehensive guide on conducting keyword research for YouTube to maximize your results.
Why is keyword research for YouTube essential?
- Understand your audience: Knowing what your target audience is searching for ensures your content aligns with their interests and needs.
- Increase visibility: Effective keywords improve your video’s chances of appearing in search results and suggested videos.
- Boost engagement: Relevant keywords help attract viewers genuinely interested in your content, leading to higher watch times, likes, and shares.
- Improve monetization: Videos that align with popular and relevant keywords attract more advertisers, increasing your revenue potential.
How does YouTube prioritise videos in search?
YouTube’s search algorithm is complex and takes several factors into account when ranking videos. Understanding how it works can help you optimize your content for better visibility.
1. Video title & metadata:
- Relevance: YouTube uses the keywords in your title, description, and tags to understand what your video is about. Videos with keywords that match user searches are more likely to rank higher.
- Click-Through Rate (CTR): The percentage of people who click on your video when it appears in search results. A higher CTR often results in better rankings.
Watch time & Engagement:
- Watch Time: YouTube values how long people stay and watch your video. Videos that generate high watch time (e.g., viewers watch most or all of the video) are seen as high-quality content and rank better.
- Engagement: Likes, comments, shares, and subscribers are key metrics. Higher engagement signals to YouTube that your video is valuable, encouraging it to rank higher.
3. User behavior & Personalization:
- Search history: YouTube considers the user’s search and watch history to personalize search results.
- Personalized recommendations: Videos that are related to previous content watched by the user or videos from similar channels are more likely to appear in suggested videos.
4. Video quality & relevance:
- HD quality & Strong thumbnails: YouTube favors videos that are high-quality and have engaging thumbnails.
- Content relevance: Videos that match the user’s intent (informational, commercial, etc.) rank higher.
Building authority in your niche
Building authority on YouTube is an ongoing process, but focusing on these strategies can help you establish your channel as an expert in your niche:
1. Consistent content creation:
Regular uploads on a specific topic or niche will signal to YouTube that your channel is a reliable source for that content. Consistency helps build trust with both the algorithm and viewers.
2. Create high-quality, engaging videos:
Focus on providing real value. Whether it’s entertainment, education, or tutorials, videos that meet the needs of your audience will generate higher engagement and retention, which boosts authority.
3. Collaboration & Networking:
Collaborating with other creators in your niche can expose you to new audiences and add credibility to your content. Guest appearances and partnerships signal authority.
4. Respond to comments & build a community:
Engaging with your viewers through comments, polls, or community posts helps build loyalty and signals to YouTube that your channel is interactive and community-focused.
Step-by-Step guide to keyword research for YouTube
Step 1: Identify your target audience
Before diving into keyword tools, define your target audience.
- Demographics: Age, gender, location, and language preferences.
- Interests: Topics, hobbies, and challenges they face.
- Search behavior: Common phrases or questions they may type into the YouTube search bar.
Step 2: Use YouTube’s autocomplete feature
The simplest way to start your research is by using YouTube’s search bar.
- Type in a general topic or keyword related to your niche.
- Note the autocomplete suggestions that appear. These suggestions are based on actual user searches and are a goldmine for content ideas.
Example: If your channel focuses on fitness, typing “how to start blogging” might reveal suggestions like “how to start blogging for free and earn money,” “how to start blogging in India”.
Step 3: Leverage keyword research tools
Here are some effective tools tailored for YouTube keyword research:
1. TubeBuddy
A YouTube-certified tool that provides deep keyword insights, including a keyword score based on search volume and competition. It also suggests tags and keywords to help you optimize your videos for visibility.
Best for: YouTube content creators looking for keyword insights, optimization tools, and competitor analysis.
Key features:
- Keyword research and suggestions.
- Tag suggestions and analysis.
- SEO recommendations for video titles, descriptions, and tags.
- Bulk processing tools for managing videos.
- A/B testing for thumbnails and titles.
Pros:
- YouTube-certified tool, ensuring accurate results.
- Provides keyword scores based on search volume and competition.
- Helps optimize video metadata with ease.
- In-depth analytics and performance tracking.
Cons:
- Some advanced features are locked behind a paid plan.
- May be overwhelming for beginners with too many features.
How to use:
- Install TubeBuddy as a browser extension (Chrome or Firefox).
- Open your YouTube dashboard, and use TubeBuddy’s keyword research tool to find relevant keywords.
- Use the keyword score and competition data to decide which keywords to target.
- Optimize your video tags, descriptions, and titles using TubeBuddy’s recommendations.
Pricing:
- Free plan available with basic features.
- Paid plans start from $9 per month (Pro) and $57.98 per month (Legend).
2. VidIQ
Another powerful tool for YouTube, VidIQ offers advanced analytics like trending tags, competition analysis, and keyword suggestions. It helps you identify opportunities by providing insights into what’s working for similar channels.
Best for: YouTube creators who want comprehensive video insights, competitor analysis, and keyword suggestions.
Key features:
- Keyword research and ranking data.
- Real-time trending tags.
- Channel analytics and performance tracking.
- Video score to assess optimization potential.
- Search engine optimization (SEO) recommendations for titles and descriptions.
Pros:
- Provides competitor insights to see what’s working for similar channels
- Offers keyword suggestions with real-time trends
- Easy-to-use interface with a lot of educational resources
- Provides a Chrome extension for easy access
Cons:
- Limited features in the free plan
- Some users report the paid features are not worth the price for smaller channels
How to use:
- Install VidIQ’s browser extension.
- Search for relevant keywords and analyze their performance.
- Check competitor channels to extract useful keywords and ideas.
- Use VidIQ’s analytics to optimize your titles, descriptions, and tags.
Pricing:
- Free plan available.
- Paid plans start at $4.93 per month (Pro).
3. Google Keyword Planner
While primarily an SEO tool, Google Keyword Planner allows you to uncover high-volume, low-competition keywords that can be adapted for YouTube. Pair it with YouTube-specific research to refine your keyword list.
Best for: Those who want to use Google’s data to find keywords that are relevant for YouTube, particularly in terms of search volume and competition.
Key features:
- Keyword search volume and competition data.
- Geographic targeting.
- Keyword grouping suggestions.
- Ability to explore keywords related to a niche.
Pros:
- Free to use with a Google Ads account
- Allows you to see search volumes and competition across all Google platforms (including YouTube)
- Great for finding long-tail keywords
Cons:
- Primarily geared toward Google Ads, which may not always align perfectly with YouTube content
- Requires a Google Ads account to access full functionality
How to use:
- Sign up for a Google Ads account (even if you don’t plan to run ads).
- Go to the Keyword Planner tool in Google Ads.
- Enter a topic or niche to generate keyword ideas.
- Filter by YouTube-related keywords and use search volume data to determine potential keywords.
Pricing:
- Free with a Google Ads account.
4. AnswerThePublic
This unique tool generates keyword ideas by mapping out common questions and phrases people search for. It’s especially useful for creating content around “how-to” and FAQ-style videos.
Best for: Content creators who want to discover common questions and search queries related to their niche.
Key features:
- Keyword suggestions based on actual search queries.
- Visualizations of search data.
- Generates content ideas based on what people are asking.
- Keyword mapping by question, preposition, and comparison.
Pros:
- Excellent for discovering niche-specific topics and FAQs
- Unique visual interface that helps you understand search patterns easily
- Great for creating content around “How-to” and “FAQ” videos
Cons:
- Limited results in the free version
- Some results can be too generic, requiring refinement
How to use:
- Go to AnswerThePublic.com.
- Type in a keyword or topic relevant to your niche.
- View a visual map of questions and phrases associated with that keyword.
- Use these questions and phrases as ideas for video titles and keywords.
Pricing:
- Free plan with limited searches per day.
- Paid plans start from $5 per month (Individual) and $49 per month (Pro) and $99 per month (Expert).
Step 4: Analyze competitor channels
Research successful channels in your niche to identify high-performing keywords.
- Observe the titles, tags, and descriptions they use.
- Use tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ to extract tags from their videos.
- Identify gaps or opportunities to differentiate your content.
Step 5: Focus on long-tail keywords
Long-tail keywords are specific phrases with lower competition but higher intent. They are ideal for targeting niche audiences.
Example: Instead of targeting “fitness videos,” go for “10-minute yoga workout for beginners.”
Step 6: Optimize for search intent
Once you have your keywords, integrate them strategically into your video content:
1. Video title
Incorporate primary keywords naturally into the title. Keep it concise and clickable.
Example: “Top 5 Healthy Smoothies for Weight Loss in 2024”
2. Video description
Write a detailed description that includes your primary and secondary keywords. Add timestamps, links, and hashtags for better discoverability.
3. Tags
Use relevant tags to help YouTube’s algorithm categorize your video. Include variations and synonyms of your keywords.
4. Thumbnail optimization
While not directly related to keywords, an eye-catching thumbnail can boost click-through rates. Pair it with a keyword-rich title for maximum impact.
5. Captions & Subtitles
Transcripts and captions improve accessibility and boost keyword relevance. Use tools like Rev or YouTube’s auto-captioning feature.
Common keyword research mistakes to avoid
- Overstuffing keywords in titles or descriptions.
- Ignoring keyword intent and focusing solely on volume.
- Neglecting to analyze competitor strategies.
- Failing to adapt to changing search trends.
Trends to watch in 2024
- Voice Search Optimization: With voice assistants on the rise, optimize for natural, conversational queries.
- Shorts integration: Focus on keywords for short-form content to tap into YouTube Shorts’ growing popularity.
- AI-powered suggestions: Use AI-driven tools like Jasper or ChatGPT to generate trending topic ideas.
Final thoughts
Effective keyword research is the backbone of a successful YouTube strategy. By understanding your audience, leveraging tools, and focusing on user intent, you can create content that ranks higher, engages viewers, and drives meaningful results.
Author Bio
Sejal Chopra
What is the purpose of keyword research in SEO?
In today’s digital age, search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo dominate online traffic. Websites, blogs, e-commerce platforms, and even social media profiles rely on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to boost their visibility. A cornerstone of SEO is keyword research, a practice that reveals the terms and phrases your target audience uses when searching online.
In this blog, we’ll explore the purpose of keyword research in SEO, why it’s indispensable, and how it helps your website thrive in search engine rankings.
What is keyword research?
Keyword research is the process of discovering, analyzing, and selecting the most relevant and effective words or phrases that users type into search engines. These keywords shape the backbone of your SEO strategy, influencing everything from content creation to website optimization.
How it works:
- Discover keywords: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to identify keywords your audience is searching for.
- Analyze search volume & competition: Assess how often a keyword is searched for and how competitive it is to rank for.
- Select relevant keywords: Focus on terms that align with your content, target audience, and business goals.
Example: If you run a bakery, terms like “gluten-free cakes,” “custom birthday cakes near me,” or “best wedding cakes” could be valuable keywords to target.
Why is keyword research crucial for SEO?
Keyword research is the foundation of any successful SEO strategy. It helps ensure your website aligns with what your audience is searching for. Without it, creating an effective SEO plan is like navigating without a map. Below are the primary reasons why keyword research is indispensable:
1. Improves search engine visibility
Search engines like Google rely on keywords to determine what your website is about. By optimizing your site for the right keywords, search engines can understand your content better and rank it accordingly. When you target the right keywords, your website is more likely to appear in relevant search results, leading to better visibility and higher rankings.
Example: If you’re targeting “best running shoes for beginners,” ensure your page title, meta description, and headings include the term. Also, create content answering related questions like “What features should beginners look for in running shoes?”
Tip: Use tools like Yoast SEO or RankMath to optimize your content for specific keywords.
2. Helps you target the right audience
Keyword research allows you to focus on the terms and phrases that your target audience is actively searching for. By aligning your content with these keywords, you’re more likely to attract users who are genuinely interested in your products, services, or information. This ensures that the traffic coming to your site is relevant, increasing the chances of engagement and conversions.
Example: If a lot of users search for “how to bake sourdough bread,” create a blog post or video tutorial to capture that audience.
Tip: Prioritize keywords with a clear intent that matches your offering. For instance, “buy hiking boots” has transactional intent, indicating a user ready to purchase.
3. Guides content creation
Keyword research provides the foundation for your content strategy. By identifying popular keywords, you can create content that directly answers your audience’s queries. This ensures that your content is valuable and highly relevant, leading to higher rankings and better user engagement. For example, if your research reveals that a lot of people are searching for “how to choose a mattress,” you can create a blog post or guide around that topic to provide solutions and drive traffic to your site.
Example: If your research shows users searching for “how to improve sleep quality,” you could write a guide titled, “10 Proven Tips to Sleep Better Tonight.”
Tip: Use question-based keywords to structure blog posts around user queries, such as “What are the best exercises for beginners?”
4. Increases organic traffic
By targeting keywords with good search volume and relatively low competition, you increase your chances of ranking higher in the search results, leading to more organic traffic. Keywords are the key to attracting visitors who are actively looking for what you offer, and ranking well for the right keywords can bring a steady flow of qualified traffic to your site over time.
Example: Instead of targeting “best laptops” (highly competitive), focus on long-tail keywords like “best laptops under $1,000 for students.” These terms are more specific and easier to rank for.
Tip: Use Google Trends to analyze keyword popularity over time and adjust your strategy accordingly.
5. Improves user experience
When you create content based on keyword research, you’re essentially aligning your site with what users are searching for. This results in more accurate, relevant content that meets their needs, improving their experience on your website. By delivering exactly what your audience is looking for, you increase engagement, reduce bounce rates, and build trust with your visitors.
Example: If someone searches for “how to make vegan lasagna,” and your recipe provides clear instructions, nutritional facts, and a video tutorial, you’ll likely retain the user.
Tip: Structure your content with clear headings and bullet points for easy readability.
6. Provides a competitive edge
Keyword research helps you understand what your competitors are ranking for, which can reveal gaps in their strategy. If your competitors are missing out on certain keyword opportunities, you can target those keywords to gain a competitive advantage. Additionally, keyword research can help you identify which keywords are too competitive to target, allowing you to focus on less competitive but still valuable long-tail keywords that offer a higher ROI.
Example: If your competitor ranks for “top 10 electric cars,” consider targeting related terms like “most affordable electric cars in 2024” or “electric cars with the longest range.”
Tip: Tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush allow you to perform competitor keyword analysis and uncover gaps.
7. Optimizes for user intent
Understanding user intent is a critical aspect of keyword research. Users search with different intentions:
- Informational intent: Searching for knowledge (e.g., “How to optimize SEO”).
- Transactional intent: Ready to purchase or take action (e.g., “Buy best running shoes”).
- Commercial intent: Comparing options before making a purchase (e.g., “Top 10 smartphones in 2024”)./
- Navigational intent: Seeking a specific site (e.g., “Facebook login”).
By identifying intent, you can create content that directly addresses user needs, enhancing rankings and satisfaction.
Tip: Use modifiers like “best,” “how to,” “cheap,” or “buy” to identify intent-specific keywords.
8. Helps you stay ahead of SEO trends
Keyword research isn’t a one-time task. As search trends evolve, so should your keyword strategy. Regular keyword research helps you stay on top of changing search behavior and evolving trends in your industry. By continually monitoring and updating your keywords, you ensure that your SEO strategy remains effective and competitive in the long run.
Example: “Affordable yoga mats for hot yoga” is a long-tail keyword compared to the generic “yoga mats.”
Tip: Combine long-tail keywords with blog posts, FAQs, and product descriptions to capture niche audiences.
9. Supports long-tail keyword strategy
Long-tail keywords, which are more specific and often longer than generic keywords, may have lower search volume but usually exhibit higher conversion rates. By identifying long-tail keywords through research, you can attract more qualified traffic that is more likely to take action, whether that’s purchasing a product, signing up for a newsletter, or downloading an eBook.
Example: If searches for “sustainable fashion” increase, you could create content on eco-friendly clothing brands or sustainable fashion tips.
Tip: Use tools like Google Trends or Exploding Topics to spot emerging trends early.
Final thoughts
Keyword research is the cornerstone of any successful SEO strategy. It helps you understand what your audience is searching for, enables you to optimize your content accordingly, and improves your chances of ranking higher in search engine results. By identifying the right keywords, understanding user intent, and creating targeted content, you can attract more organic traffic, increase conversions, and ultimately achieve SEO success.
Start incorporating keyword research into your SEO strategy today to drive traffic, improve rankings, and stay ahead of your competitors.
Author Bio
Sejal Chopra
How to Track Your SEO Progress: The Definitive Guide
Search engine optimization can be a tricky business. It’s often hard to know if you’re making progress and if your efforts are paying off. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to track your SEO progress so that you can be sure that you’re on the right track. We’ll also give you some tips on how to improve your SEO strategy based on the data that you collect.
Crawl Errors
Crawl errors are an important metric to track when gauging SEO performance. They indicate instances when a search engine bot was unable to crawl a page on your website, which can impact your ability to rank in search results.
There are three main types of crawl errors:
- Server errors – Server errors occur when the server is unable to respond to a request
- Soft 404 errors – Soft 404 errors occur when a page returns a response but the content is not relevant
- Not found errors – Not found errors happen when a search engine bot tries to crawl a page that doesn’t exist.
To fix crawl errors, you need to identify the cause and resolve it. For example, if you have a server error, you need to contact your hosting provider to investigate the issue.
Crawl errors can negatively impact your SEO performance, so it’s important to track them and resolve any issues as quickly as possible.
There are a few different ways to track crawl errors. The first is to use Google Search Console. This is a free tool provided by Google that helps you track your website’s performance in Google search result. Simply add your website to Search Console and then click on the ‘Crawl’ tab. From there, you can see any errors that Google has found when crawling your site.
Another way to track crawl errors is to use a web crawler tool such as Screaming Frog. This tool will crawl your entire website and highlight any errors it finds.
Finally, you can also check your server logs for any errors that have occurred during crawling. Simply look for any entries that say “404” or “Not Found”. By using these methods, you can be sure to catch any crawl errors so that you can fix them and keep your site running smoothly.
Organic Search Traffic
One of the most important metrics to track to measure SEO performance is organic search traffic. This is the organic traffic that comes to your website from search engines, and it’s a good indicator of how well your SEO strategy is working.
There are a few different ways to track organic search traffic. The most accurate way is to use a tool like Google Analytics. This will give you detailed information on where your organic traffic is coming from, what pages they’re visiting, how is the traffic quality and how long they’re staying on your website.
If you don’t have access to Google Analytics, you can use SEO tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to get a general idea of your traffic sources . These SEO tools will tell you how much organic traffic you’re getting.
Keyword Ranking
Another important metric to measure SEO performance is keyword ranking. This tells you how well your site ranks for relevant keywords in search engine.
There are a few different ways to check your keyword rankings. The most accurate way is to use a tool like SEMrush or Ahrefs. These tools will tell you where your website ranks for competitive keywords.
If you don’t have access to SEMrush or Ahrefs, you can use a tool like Google Search Console to check keyword ranking. This will give you a general idea of how your website is ranking for specific keywords.
Keyword Volume
In order to create an effective and successful SEO strategy, it is essential to consider a number of different factors, including keyword search volume. Keywords are essential for driving relevant traffic to your website, and their relative prominence or ranking on search engine results pages can determine how visible (or invisible) you are online.
Therefore, in order to craft an effective SEO strategy that will meet your needs and maximize your online presence, it is critical to have accurate keyword research you do.
Using tools such as Google Adwords keyword planner can help you with keyword research, allowing you to identify optimal keywords and build a strong SEO strategy focused on increasing your keyword visibility. Ultimately, taking the time to properly analyze keyword volume can significantly improve your overall SEO efforts and ensure that your strategy is as effective as possible.
Keyword relevance and search intent
When planning an SEO strategy, it is important to check the relevance of the keywords you are targeting. This can be done by looking at search engine result pages (SERPs) to see how often your targeting keywords appear in results.
If the keywords you are targeting are not appearing frequently in search engine results page SERPs, they may not be as relevant as you think. In addition, it is important to measure the search intent of your keyword phrases. This can be done by looking at the types of results that appear when you search for a keyword.
If the majority of results are not relevant to what you are trying to promote, then the keyword may not be a good fit for your SEO strategy.
By checking keywords for relevant searches, you can ensure that your SEO strategy is on track and that you are targeting the right keywords.
SERP Visibility
Another important metric to track when measuring your SEO performance is SERP visibility. This tells you how often your website appears on search result.
Google has featured snippets where they highlight certain bits from what was searched and provide instant answers without having users click through; this is one way Internet visitors get hooked into clicking around further info about whatever topic caught their interest initially – which means increased traffic generation potential
There are several different tools that you can use to perform this analysis, such as Google’s Search Console, Ahref or Semrush.
These tools will provide you with valuable insights into the optimization strategies that are working for your site, while also identifying any areas where additional work may be needed. By taking the time to check SERP visibility regularly, you can ensure that your site gets the attention it deserves from both users and search engines alike.
Click-Through Rate
Another important metric to track when measuring your SEO performance is click-through rate (CTR). This tells you how often people are clicking on your website from search engine results pages. Use this metric to understand how effective your title tags and meta description are in attracting users’ attention.
You can track the click-through rate (CTR) of your website in several ways. One method is to use Google Analytics. Once you have installed Google Analytics on your website, you can view your CTR by going to the “Behavior” tab and then clicking on “Site Content”.
Another way to track your CTR is to use a web server log file analyzer. This will give you detailed information about all the clicks on your website, including the CTR for each page. Finally, you can also ask your web hosting provider for statistics on your website’s CTR. By tracking your website’s CTR, you can find out which pages are most popular with visitors and make sure that your website is performing as well as it can.
Bounce Rate
There are several ways to track the bounce rate of your website. One of the most popular methods is to use Google Analytics. This tool can help you to see how long people spend on your site, how many pages they view, and what percentage of people leave after viewing only first page. This information can be extremely valuable in identifying areas where your site needs improvement.
Another popular method of tracking bounce rate is through the use of heat maps. These maps can show you where people are clicking on your site, as well as where they are spending the most time. This information can again be used to improve your site and make it more user-friendly.
Finally, it is also possible to track bounce rate manually, though this method requires more work on your part. By tracking the number of people who visit your site and then leave without taking any action, you can get a good idea of your site’s bounce rate. By improving the quality of your content and making it more engaging, you can lower your bounce rate and improve your website’s overall performance.
Website Authority Over Time
Website authority is essential for any business that wants to rank highly in search engine results. There are a number of factors that contribute to website authority, including link popularity and PageRank.
Domain authority (DA) and Domain Ranking (DR) are two separate but equally important metrics for measuring the strength of a website. DA is a scoring system developed by Moz that predicts how well a website will rank on search engine, while DR is a similar metric developed by Alexa. Both scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a stronger website. While DA and DR are not directly influenced by Google, they are both important indicators of a website’s overall strength. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to track both DA and DR over time.
One way to track DA is to use the MozBar Chrome extension. This extension allows users to see the DA score for any website they visit, as well as the scores for individual pages on that website. The extension also provides other useful information, such as the number of links pointing to a page and the page’s age. Another option for tracking DA is to use Moz’s Open Site Explorer tool. This tool provides detailed information about any website, including its DA score. Users can also use this tool to compare the DA scores of multiple websites.
To track DR, Alexa provides a number of tools, including the Alexa Rank Checker and the Site Overview Tool.
By regularly monitoring these SEO metrics, you can ensure that your website is performing well and making progress toward your SEO goals.
Backlinks
Tracking and monitoring your backlinks is an essential part of maintaining a successful online presence. There are a number of different methods you can use to track and monitor your backlinks. The first step is to identify the key sources of your inbound links, whether these are websites, blogs, or social media profiles.
From there, you can use a variety of online tools to analyze this data and find out more about which sites have been linking to yours, as well as the nature and quality of those links.
Some tools can even help you identify broken links or spammy links that could be harmful to your site’s SEO performance.
Ultimately, it is important to stay on top of your backlink profile and make regular updates to ensure that you are getting the most value out of your link building strategies.
Domain Quality
In order to achieve good SEO results, it is important to consider the quality of your backlinks. A high-quality backlink domain is one that has a strong link profile, high authority, and relevant content.
These factors help to build trust with search engine and boost your website’s rankings in search results. To create high-quality backlinks, you can use a variety of strategies, such as publishing guest posts on authoritative blogs or creating content that others will want to share and link to. By taking these steps and focusing on creating quality backlinks, you can improve your SEO results and increase organic traffic to your website.
Domain relevance
In order for a backlink to be effective, it is important that the linking domain be relevant to the site that it is linking to. This is because search engine use algorithms that take into account the relevance of a site when determining its rank in search results.
A site that is linked to by a large number of relevant sites is more likely to rank higher than a site that is linked to by fewer relevant sites.
Therefore, when attempting to improve the SEO of a site, it is important to focus on building backlinks from relevant domains. By doing so, you will be more likely to see a positive impact on your search engine rankings.
Anchor Text
When it comes to SEO, anchor text is one of the most important elements. Anchor text is the visible, clickable text in a hyperlink. It is the words that describe the link’s destination. Search engine use anchor text as a ranking factor when determining what pages to show for search queries.
That means that if you want your pages to rank highly for certain keywords, you need to use those keywords as anchor text. There are a few different types of anchor text, and each has its own benefits.
Exact match – Exact match anchor text is the most straightforward way to target a keyword. Partial match – Partial match anchor text is similar to exact match, but it includes other related keywords around the target keyword.
Anchor text can also be branded, which is when the anchor text includes the brand name of the website or company. Branded anchor text is a good way to build trust with searchers and improve your click-through rate.
Finally, generic anchor text is non-descriptive text like “click here” or “read more.” Generic anchor text doesn’t have much of an impact on SEO, but it can still be useful in certain situations. When used correctly, anchor text can be a powerful tool for improving your website’s SEO.
Page Speed
Page speed is an important factor for SEO because it affects both user experience and search engine rankings. For users, a fast-loading website means that they can access the content easily and quickly without delay. This helps to keep them engaged with your site and increases the likelihood that they will return in the future.
For search engine, on the other hand, faster page speeds indicate that your site is well-optimized and easy for crawlers to scan and index. As a result, search engine are more likely to rank your site higher on the results pages in order to provide their users with high-quality, relevant content.
To check your website’s page speed, there are a number of tools available online, such as Google Page Speed Insights or GT Metrix. With these tools, you can find out exactly where your site needs improvement in order to improve its efficiency and speed. Overall, therefore, optimizing your page speed is essential for effective SEO and improving both user engagement and search engine visibility.
Time Spent on Page
SEO is all about increasing your website’s visibility and organic traffic. One way to do this is to ensure that you are spending the right amount of time on each website page.
Too much time on a page can result in a high bounce rate, which will negatively affect your SEO. Too little time and you run the risk of not providing enough information or appearing unprofessional.
The ideal amount of time to spend on a website page for SEO purposes is between 2 and 5 minutes. This will give visitors enough time to read through your content and click on any links or calls to action, without becoming bored or frustrated.
You can check the average time spent on a page by using Google Analytics. Simply go to the “Behavior” tab and then select “Site Content”. From here, you will be able to see the average time spent on each page. Use this data to help you determine whether your pages are being viewed for the right amount of time.
Traffic by device type
While there are many different strategies for increasing website organic traffic, it is important to understand how people are accessing your site. Different devices will usually generate traffic in different ways, and tracking these trends can help you determine which tactics are the most effective at reaching your target audience.
Some of the key metrics to consider include device type, screen resolution, and browser type. By tracking these metrics over time, you can gain valuable insights into how your visitors are accessing your site and make changes accordingly.
For example, if you notice that more traffic comes from mobile device using different browsers, then you might want to test out responsive design techniques or focus on improving your mobile users experience. Alternatively, if most of your traffic is coming from desktop users with high-resolution screens, then you may want to optimize for larger images or provide more detailed content. Ultimately, tracking website traffic by device type can help you make smart decisions about how to grow and improve your online presence.
Another option is to manually analyze the referral sources listed in your website’s access logs. This can be a time-consuming process, but it allows you to look specifically at the types of devices people are using, as well as where they’re accessing your site from.
Ultimately, what method you choose will depend on your preferences and how much time you have available. But with some careful analysis, you’ll be able to gain valuable insights into how users are interacting with your site, and make the necessary changes to improve their experience and increase quality traffic from relevant sources.
Returning Vs. New Users
When it comes to measure SEO success of a website, one of the most important things to track is the number of returning vs. new users. This metric can give you a good sense of how well your site is retaining users and whether or not new users are finding value in your content.
There are a few different ways to track this metric, but one of the most effective is through Google Analytics. By setting up goal tracking in Google Analytics, you can see how many users are completing certain actions on your site (such as signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase). This will give you a good idea of which content is resonating with users and driving conversions.
Additionally, you can segment your data by new vs. returning users to get a more detailed picture of how each group is interacting with your site. Tracking this metric on a regular basis can give you valuable insights into the effectiveness of your website and help you make decisions about where to focus your energies going forward.
Conversion Rate
One of the most important metrics for evaluating SEO success performance is conversion rate or the percentage of site visitors who take the desired action.
This can include signing up for a mailing list, making a purchase, or using a contact form to get in touch with the company. Measuring conversion rate requires careful tracking of website traffic and user activity, using tools like Google Analytics and heatmaps to analyze user behavior on your site.
With these tools, you can identify specific areas where users are dropping off or declining to engage on your site, as well as opportunities for improvement in terms of relevancy and user experience.
Ultimately, by measuring conversion rate and monitoring user behavior, you can gain valuable insights into your overall SEO strategy and ensure that you’re getting the highest ROI from your search engine optimization efforts.
How long does it take to see SEO Results?
One of the most common questions we get asked is “how long does it take to see SEO results?” The answer to this question isn’t as simple as a straight answer.
The time frame you’ll see SEO results depends on a multitude of factors, including but not limited to: the age of your website, the quality of your content, overall site structure, and keyword difficulty.
If you have a brand new website, it’s going to take longer to see results than if you have an established website. This is because search engines take time to index and crawl new websites.
If you have high-quality content, that’s also going to play a role in how quickly you see results. If your site is well-structured and easy for search engines to crawl, that’s going to speed up the process.
And finally, if the keywords you’re targeting are highly competitive, it’s going to take longer to rank for those keywords than if they were less competitive.
At the end of the day, there is no set timeframe for how long it takes to see SEO results. However, by keeping these factors in mind, you can give yourself a general idea of what to expect and how long it might take before you start seeing results from your SEO.
Conclusion
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry – our team at Digital Aura can help! We offer comprehensive SEO services that will take all of these factors into account for you so that you can see real results from your investment in SEO. Contact us today to get started. For more updates about SEO Progress follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn. Thank you for reading till here.