{"id":80655,"date":"2021-11-09T09:30:12","date_gmt":"2021-11-09T17:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bruceclay.com\/?p=80655"},"modified":"2023-08-11T23:28:44","modified_gmt":"2023-08-12T06:28:44","slug":"what-are-keywords","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bruceclay.com\/blog\/what-are-keywords\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Keywords? Why Are Keywords Important to SEO? And How Do You Do Keyword Research?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Can you do SEO without knowing about keywords? Probably not successfully.<\/p>\n
So here I’ll explain this foundational concept as we explore:<\/p>\n
SEO keywords:<\/strong> are single words or short phrases that represent the search queries that people use in a search engine. Website owners or marketers select keywords and use them to guide content creation and optimize their webpages as part of their SEO strategy.<\/p>\n When you align your content creation and optimization with the words, topics, products, and services your target audience is looking for, you have a better chance of showing up in the search results.<\/p>\n One reason keyword optimization is important is that using keywords properly helps communicate to the search engines what a webpage is about. And that can improve the chances that a search engine will find a webpage relevant to a particular query.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to note that Google uses many signals to determine if a page is relevant for a query, not just keywords. But they are a factor; I\u2019ll share data about that later.<\/p>\n Long-tail keywords string together three or more words to create a more specific keyword phrase. Searchers perform long-tail queries in the following situations:<\/p>\n In a nutshell, long-tail keywords allow you to target very specific queries during every step of the searcher\u2019s journey. So even though they have less search volume than the more competitive broad keywords do, these phrases are valuable to rank for.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re creating content for the web:<\/p>\n Keywords help you as a website owner to:<\/p>\n All of these matter for SEO. To elaborate, keyword research helps you understand how your target audience might describe and look for your products or services. It also shows you how people ask for more information on your topics when using a search engine.<\/p>\n Armed with these words and phrases, you can come up with ideas for new content. You can also optimize your webpages to match a searcher\u2019s intent and answer a searcher\u2019s questions.<\/p>\n Keyword research and optimization can improve your chances of showing up on Page 1 of the search results. In fact, data from 2020 shows<\/a> that most title tags on Google\u2019s first page contained keywords that were an exact or partial match of that search query.<\/p>\n Aside from rankings, keyword research has other benefits that can help you better serve your consumer.<\/p>\n For instance, say you\u2019re a bread company researching the keyword phrase \u201corganic bread.\u201d During your research, you find that there is a high search volume for the term \u201corganic bread flour.\u201d Could this be a new product opportunity?<\/p>\n When is keyword research done? <\/strong>If you’re wise, you make it an ongoing exercise. Trends fluctuate, search intent evolves, and even the names of things change over time. So keep at it, always looking for opportunities to meet customer needs and rank better in search.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a lot to keyword research, but here is the process in four basic steps:<\/p>\n Here’s more on how to research and use keywords:<\/em><\/p>\n Keyword research is integral to successful SEO and something we do on an ongoing basis for our clients. If you’d like expert assistance with your website, I invite you to request a free consultation and quote<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Long-tail keywords, those specific phrases consisting of three or more words, enhance search performance. As an experienced professional in this domain, I’m here to elucidate the profound impact of long-tail keywords on search engine visibility.<\/p>\n Long-tail keywords are the keys to unlocking targeted traffic. By using longer, more specific phrases, businesses and content creators can align their offerings with the exact needs of their audience. Imagine you’re seeking the perfect pair of running shoes. Instead of searching for “shoes,” you might type in “best long-distance running shoes for women.” This refined search showcases the power of long-tail keywords in delivering precise results.<\/p>\n Moreover, long-tail keywords have the potential to elevate conversion rates. Think about it – a user who is looking for something specific is more likely to take action than a casual browser. This is where long-tail keywords shine. When you cater to a specific intent, you attract visitors and guide them toward the solutions they seek. This translates to better engagement, increased time on your website, and, ultimately, higher conversions.<\/p>\n Crafting content around long-tail keywords also helps in voice search optimization. As the prevalence of voice assistants grows, people are more inclined to use natural, conversational language. Long-tail keywords naturally lend themselves to this trend. They reflect how people talk, making your content more accessible to voice search queries and consequently widening your audience reach.<\/p>\n Transitioning from broader keywords to strategically chosen long-tail phrases requires meticulous research. Explore the nuances of your niche and identify the specific queries your audience will likely use. Incorporate these phrases seamlessly into your content, titles, and meta descriptions. This blend of relevance and specificity ensures your content is found and cherished by those who seek it.<\/p>\n The impact of long-tail keywords on search performance is profound. By understanding your audience’s intent and tailoring your content to match, you tap into a goldmine of targeted traffic, improved engagement, and higher conversion rates. As an expert in the field, I emphasize the strategic use of long-tail keywords as an indispensable tool for elevating your digital presence and connecting with the right audience.<\/p>\n Step-by-Step Procedure: Maximizing Search Performance with Long-Tail Keywords<\/p>\n By following these steps, you can harness the potential of long-tail keywords to boost your search engine performance and connect with your audience more effectively.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Can you do SEO without knowing about keywords? Probably not successfully. So here I’ll explain this foundational concept as we explore: What are keywords What not to do with keywords Why keywords are important How to do keyword research FAQ: How do long-tail keywords impact search performance? What Are Keywords? SEO keywords: are single words […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":80658,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[1628,1356,1629,1232,1110],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"What Are Long-Tail Keywords?<\/h3>\n
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<\/a>What You Shouldn\u2019t Do with Keywords<\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Why Are Keywords Important to SEO (and Marketing)?<\/h2>\n
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<\/a>How Do You Do Keyword Research?<\/h2>\n
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<\/a>FAQ: How do long-tail keywords impact search performance?<\/h3>\n
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