Recommendation Step-by-Step Keyword Research (Without Paid Tools)

[Luis Colmenarez]

Choosing the right keywords determines whether your content gets views or goes unread.

1. Step by Step

1. Define your topic and your audience: what problem you're solving and for whom.
2. Make a seed list of 10 to 20 related terms.
3. Expand your search with Google: use autocomplete, "related questions," and related searches at the bottom of the page.
4. Check Google Trends to see if interest is rising or falling.
5. Analyze search intent: Is the searcher looking for information, comparing options, or making a purchase?
6. Take a look at who ranks at the top. If they're very large websites, look for more specific variations.
7. Group the keywords by topic and assign each group to a page.

2. Types of Keywords

• Informational: "how," "what is," "guide."
• Advertisements: "best," "comparison," "reviews."
• Transactional: "buy," "price," "offer."
• Long tail: long, specific phrases with less competition and a higher likelihood of conversion.

3. Common Mistakes

• Targeting only high-volume, highly competitive keywords.
• Forcibly repeat the keyword throughout the text.
• Create multiple pages for the same search intent that compete with each other.

How do you research your keywords? Share your method.