HOW TO FIND KEYWORDS FOR SEO

Finding the right keywords for SEO is like choosing the perfect bait for fishing, you need to know what your audience is searching for if you want them to find you. Picking random words and hoping for the best won’t work, so let’s break down how to find the best keywords to improve rankings and drive the right traffic to your website.

The best place to start is by understanding your audience. Think about what they would type into Google if they were looking for your product, service or content. Consider their needs, pain points and the kind of language they use. If you sell handmade jewellery, your audience isn’t just searching for “rings.” They might be looking for “affordable handmade silver rings” or “custom gold engagement rings UK.” The more you think like your customer, the better your keyword choices will be.

Google’s own tools can be a goldmine for keyword ideas. Start typing a general keyword into Google’s search bar and watch the autocomplete suggestions pop up, these are real searches that people are making. Scroll down to the “People Also Ask” section and the related searches at the bottom of the page for even more inspiration. If Google keeps suggesting a phrase, it means people are searching for it.

SEO tools make keyword research much easier and more precise. Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, SEMrush and Ubersuggest allow you to see search volume, keyword difficulty and competition levels. The goal is to find keywords that get a decent number of searches but aren’t so competitive that you’re fighting against huge brands with endless budgets. Long tail keywords, phrases with three or more words, often have less competition and bring in highly targeted traffic.

Checking out the competition is another smart move. Look at websites that rank well in your niche and see what keywords they’re targeting. SEO tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush let you spy on competitors’ keywords, showing you which ones bring them traffic. If a competitor is ranking high for “best vegan skincare UK,” you might want to target something similar, like “top organic skincare brands UK” to capture a similar audience.

Your own website can also provide valuable keyword insights. Google Search Console shows you what keywords people are already using to find your site. You might discover that you’re getting traffic for keywords you never even considered optimising for, giving you a chance to refine your content and boost rankings further.

Social media platforms and forums can reveal trending keywords and topics that your audience cares about. Platforms like Reddit, Quora, and Facebook groups are filled with real people asking real questions. If you notice a lot of people asking, “What’s the best budget laptop for students?” then that’s a great keyword phrase to target in your content.

Finding keywords for SEO isn’t about stuffing words into your content and hoping for the best. It’s about understanding your audience, researching what they’re searching for and using tools to find the right balance between search volume and competition. Once you’ve found the right keywords, integrating them naturally into high-quality content will help you rank higher, attract the right visitors and grow your online presence.