Answer · SEO Services
What’s Keyword Research?
The short answer
Keyword research is the process of identifying which search queries your target customers use, how often they search those queries, and how hard it would be to rank for each one. The output is a prioritized keyword list mapped to specific pages on your site, with search volume, difficulty, and intent labeled.
№ 01The longer answer
Modern keyword research uses tools that pull data from Google’s search ecosystem: Ahrefs ($199/mo), Semrush ($139/mo), Moz Keyword Explorer ($99/mo), and GSC’s Performance report (free, but limited to queries you already rank on).
The three metrics that matter per keyword: search volume (monthly Google searches), keyword difficulty (a 0-100 score predicting how hard to rank), and intent (informational, navigational, commercial, transactional). A good keyword for a new site: volume 100-2000/month, KD under 25, commercial or transactional intent.
Process: start with a seed keyword (your core service), expand into related terms via the tool’s suggestions, filter by volume and KD, group by intent, and map each keyword to a specific page on your site. A 40-page mid-market B2B site usually targets 80-200 keywords across all pages.
Common mistake: chasing high-volume head terms (‘SEO’ at 60,000/mo) on a low-authority domain. The math doesn’t work. Start with long-tails (KD 5-25, volume 100-2000), build authority via successful long-tail rankings, then climb to harder terms.
№ 02Do I need to pay for Ahrefs or Semrush?
For ongoing SEO work, yes. The free tools (Google Keyword Planner, AnswerThePublic, GSC) cover basics but lack the difficulty scores, SERP analysis, and competitive data that drive real keyword decisions. Budget $100-$200/mo for one tool.
№ 03How many keywords should I target on one page?
One primary keyword plus 5-15 related variants per page. The primary lives in the H1, URL slug, and meta title. Variants live in H2s, body content, and image alt text. Avoid targeting 30 unrelated keywords on one page — intent gets diluted.
№ 04Do I need to update keyword research every year?
Yes. Search behavior shifts, new queries emerge, competitor SERPs evolve. Annual keyword research refreshes prevent your content strategy from getting stale. Quarterly spot-checks for new opportunities in your space.
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