How to Conduct Keyword Research Like a Pro

How to Conduct Keyword Research Like a Pro

How to Conduct Keyword Research Like a Pro

Struggling to get traffic? Feel like your content is drowning in a sea of competition? You’re not alone. Most creators and businesses throw words online, hoping for the best—but pros don’t leave it to chance. They dominate search rankings by mastering keyword research.

I’ve built and scaled multiple businesses with content, and keyword research is the backbone. Skip it, and you’re guessing. Nail it, and you get consistent, targeted traffic without paying for ads.

Let’s break it down—no fluff, just actionable steps.


Why Keyword Research Matters

If you’re creating content without keywords, you’re shouting into the void. Here’s why it’s non-negotiable:

  • Rank higher on Google → More eyeballs on your content.

  • Understand your audience → Speak their language.

  • Beat competitors → Find gaps they’re missing.

  • Drive conversions → Attract people ready to buy.

Skip this, and you’re wasting time.


Step 1: Find the Right Keywords

1. Start with Seed Keywords

These are broad terms related to your niche. Example:

  • “Weight loss” (Too broad)

  • “Best weight loss plan for women” (Better)

Tools to use:

  • Google Keyword Planner (Free)

  • Ubersuggest (Free version available)

  • AnswerThePublic (Great for questions)

2. Dig Into Long-Tail Keywords

Short keywords are competitive and vague. Long-tail keywords (3+ words) have less competition and higher intent.

Example:
❌ “Marketing” (Hard to rank)
✅ “How to market a small business on Instagram” (Easier + targeted)

Pro Tip: Use LSI keywords (semantically related terms). Google uses these to understand context. Example:

  • Main Keyword: “Email marketing”

  • LSI Keywords: “Email open rates,” “Best email software,” “Cold email templates”

3. Spy on Competitors

Check what’s working for them. Tools like:

  • Ahrefs (Paid, but gold)

  • SEMrush (Great for competitor analysis)

  • SpyFu (Shows competitor keywords)

How to do it:

  1. Plug competitor URLs into these tools.

  2. See their top-ranking pages.

  3. Steal their best keywords (ethically).


Step 2: Analyze Keyword Difficulty & Search Volume

Not all keywords are worth chasing. You need:
Low competition (Easier to rank)
Decent search volume (At least 100+ monthly searches)

Tools for this:

  • Moz Keyword Explorer

  • Ahrefs Keyword Difficulty Tool

Avoid:

  • Keywords with “Difficulty” scores above 40 (Unless you have authority).

  • Keywords with zero searches (No demand).


Step 3: Prioritize Intent-Based Keywords

Google cares about user intent. There are 4 types:

  1. Informational (“How to lose belly fat”)

  2. Navigational (“Nike official website”)

  3. Commercial (“Best CRM software 2024”)

  4. Transactional (“Buy iPhone 15 online”)

Match content to intent. Example:

  • If someone searches “Best budget laptops,” they’re researching, not buying.

  • If they search “Buy MacBook Air cheap,” they’re ready to purchase.


Step 4: Track & Optimize

Keyword research isn’t a one-time thing.

Tools to track rankings:

  • Google Search Console (Free)

  • AccuRanker (Paid)

  • SerpRobot (Affordable)

What to monitor:

  • Rankings (Are you moving up/down?)

  • Click-through rate (CTR)

  • Bounce rate (Are people leaving fast?)


FAQs About Keyword Research

1. How many keywords should I target per page?

Focus on 1 primary keyword + 2-3 secondary keywords. Don’t stuff—Google hates that.

2. Should I use exact-match keywords?

No. Google’s smart—variations and natural language work better.

3. How long does it take to rank?

Depends on competition. 3-6 months for most decent keywords.

4. Are free keyword tools good enough?

For starters, yes. But paid tools (Ahrefs, SEMrush) save time and give deeper insights.

5. What’s the biggest keyword research mistake?

Targeting high-volume, high-competition keywords too soon. Start small, then scale.


Bonus: Promote Your Content for Maximum Reach

Keyword research gets traffic, but promotion gets eyeballs faster. Here’s where to share your content:

  1. Mediageneous.com – Boost social media and YouTube growth.

  2. Reddit – Share in relevant subreddits.

  3. Quora – Answer questions with your content link.

  4. Facebook Groups – Engage, don’t spam.

  5. Pinterest – Great for visual content.

  6. LinkedIn – B2B goldmine.


Final Word

Keyword research isn’t rocket science—but most people skip it. Do it right, and you’ll outrank competitors, attract the right audience, and grow faster.

Start today. Pick one keyword, create one piece of content, and track results. Rinse and repeat.

Want traffic? Stop guessing. Start researching.


Need help scaling your content? Check out Mediageneous.com for expert promotion.