What are Keywords?
In SEO , keywords are the words and phrases that people type into search engines when looking for information. They act as a bridge between what users are searching for and the content you create.
For example, if someone searches “best laptop for students,” the keyword is exactly that phrase. If your page contains useful, relevant content using that keyword naturally, it’s more likely to appear in the search results.
Keywords can be:
Short-tail keywords – one or two words (e.g., “laptops”)
Long-tail keywords – longer, more specific phrases (e.g., “best lightweight laptop for travel”)
How to Find Keywords
Finding the right keywords involves research to discover what your audience is searching for. You can use:
Google Search Suggestions – Type your topic into Google and see the auto-complete suggestions.
Google Keyword Planner – A free tool for discovering search volume and competition.
Ubersuggest – Generates keyword ideas and shows difficulty scores.
AnswerThePublic – Visualizes common questions people ask about your topic.
Competitor Analysis – Look at what keywords top-ranking sites use.
What Makes High-Quality Keywords?
High-quality keywords have three main qualities:
Relevant – They match your audience’s intent and your content.
Search Volume – Enough people search for them to make targeting worthwhile.
Low-to-Medium Competition – Easier to rank for, especially for smaller websites.
Example: For a tech blog, “best budget gaming laptop” is relevant, has good volume, and might be less competitive than “gaming laptop.”
What Makes Poor-Quality Keywords?
Poor-quality keywords can hurt your SEO efforts because they:
Don’t match user intent (e.g., targeting “cheap laptops” when you only sell premium models).
Have almost no search volume – Nobody is searching for them.
Are overly competitive – You may not rank for years if big sites dominate.
Are too vague – Broad terms like “computer” attract unfocused traffic.
How to Find Keyword Ranking
Once you’ve chosen keywords, you can check how well your pages rank for them:
Google Search Console – Shows your site’s average position for each keyword.
Ahrefs / SEMrush – Paid tools with detailed ranking data.
Ubersuggest – Tracks keyword positions over time.
Manual Search – Type your keyword into Google in incognito mode and see where your page appears.
Where to Add Keywords
Strategically placing keywords helps search engines understand your page’s topic:
Page Title – Include your primary keyword.
Headings (H1, H2, H3) – Naturally insert keywords.
First Paragraph – Mention your main keyword early.
Meta Description – Helps click-through rate.
Image Alt Text – Improves accessibility and SEO.
URL – Use short, keyword-rich URLs.
Throughout the Content – Naturally sprinkled without overstuffing.