WHAT IS KEYWORD IN SEO?

If you’ve ever dabbled in SEO, you’ve heard the word “keyword” thrown around more times than you can count. But what exactly is a keyword, and why does it matter so much in the world of search engine optimisation? Let’s break it down in a way that doesn’t make you want to throw your laptop out the window.

In simple terms, a keyword is a word or phrase that people type into search engines when looking for information, products or services. Think of it as the secret code that connects your website to the people who need it. If you’re selling handmade candles, you want your website to appear when someone searches “best handmade candles” or “eco-friendly scented candles.” Without the right keywords, your website is like a shop in the middle of a desert, technically there, but impossible to find.

There are two main types of keywords: short-tail and long-tail. Short-tail keywords are broad and general, like “shoes” or “coffee.” These get tons of searches but are incredibly competitive. Long-tail keywords, on the other hand, are more specific, like “best running shoes for flat feet” or “organic fair-trade coffee beans.” They get fewer searches but attract people who know exactly what they want, making them gold for businesses trying to convert visitors into customers.

Search engines like Google use keywords to decide which websites deserve to be on the first page. The more relevant your content is to a keyword, the higher your chances of ranking. But before you go stuffing your website with keywords like a turkey on Christmas, beware, Google hates keyword stuffing. If your content sounds like a broken record repeating the same phrase over and over, it’ll hurt your rankings instead of helping them.

The trick to using keywords effectively is to place them naturally in important parts of your content, such as the title, headings, meta description and throughout the body text. You also need to think about user intent—are people searching for information, looking to buy something or just browsing? Understanding this helps you create content that matches what they’re looking for.

Keyword research is a must if you want to rank well. Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs and SEMrush can help you find the best keywords for your niche. The goal is to target keywords that have decent search volume but aren’t so competitive that you’re battling global corporations for a spot on page one.

So, in a nutshell, keywords are the foundation of SEO. They help search engines understand what your content is about, attract the right audience and boost your chances of ranking higher. Use them wisely, and they can be the key to unlocking more traffic, engagement and conversions for your website.