top of page
Search

How to Conduct Keyword Research Like a Pro

  • Writer: martinsmurimih
    martinsmurimih
  • Jun 7
  • 3 min read

How to Conduct Keyword Research Like a Pro (Without the BS)

You’re here because you want traffic. Real, consistent, buyer-ready traffic. But here’s the problem:

  • Your content isn’t ranking.

  • You’re guessing what to write about.

  • Competitors are eating your lunch.

Keyword research fixes that. But most guides overcomplicate it. Not this one.

I’ll break it down step-by-step—no fluff, just what works. Let’s dive in.

Why Keyword Research Matters (Spoiler: It’s Everything)

If you’re creating content without keyword research, you’re throwing darts blindfolded. Here’s why it’s non-negotiable:

  • Finds what people actually search for (not what you think they search for).

  • Reveals low-competition opportunities (so you rank faster).

  • Tells you what content to create (no more guesswork).

Skip this, and you’re leaving money on the table.

Step 1: Find Seed Keywords (Start Simple)

Seed keywords are your foundation. Think broad terms related to your niche.

Example:

  • If you’re in fitness → “weight loss,” “muscle gain,” “home workouts.”

  • If you’re in marketing → “SEO tips,” “email marketing,” “social media growth.”

How to find them:

  • Brainstorm (what would your audience type into Google?).

  • Check competitors (see what they rank for).

  • Use Google Autocomplete (start typing, see what pops up).

Step 2: Use Keyword Research Tools (Free & Paid)

Now, expand those seed keywords. Here are the best tools:

Free Tools:

  • Google Keyword Planner (basic, but useful).

  • Ubersuggest (great for beginners).

  • AnswerThePublic (shows real questions people ask).

Paid Tools (Worth Every Penny):

  • Ahrefs (best for competition analysis).

  • SEMrush (all-in-one SEO powerhouse).

  • Keysearch (budget-friendly alternative).

Pro Tip: Don’t get lost in data. Focus on search volume (how many people search it) and keyword difficulty (how hard it is to rank).

Step 3: Analyze Search Intent (The Secret Sauce)

Google doesn’t rank pages—it ranks answers. So, you need to match search intent (what the searcher really wants).

Types of search intent:

  1. Informational (“how to lose weight fast”).

  2. Commercial (“best weight loss programs”).

  3. Transactional (“buy keto diet pills”).

  4. Navigational (“Weight Watchers login”).

How to check intent?

  • Look at the top 5 results. Are they blog posts? Product pages? Videos?

  • Match your content to that format.

Step 4: Target Long-Tail Keywords (Low Competition, High Reward)

Long-tail keywords = 3-5 word phrases that get less traffic but convert better.

Example:

  • Short-tail: “weight loss” (high competition).

  • Long-tail: “how to lose belly fat in 2 weeks” (easier to rank).

Why they work:

  • Less competition.

  • More specific (better leads).

  • Voice search-friendly (thanks, Siri & Alexa).

Step 5: Spy on Competitors (Then Steal Their Best Keywords)

Your competitors already did the hard work. Here’s how to steal their best keywords:

  1. Plug their site into Ahrefs/SEMrush.

  2. See their top-ranking pages.

  3. Find keywords they rank for (but you don’t).

  4. Create better content on those topics.

Pro Move: Look for “keyword gaps”—terms they rank for, but you don’t.

Step 6: Track & Optimize (Because SEO Isn’t Set-and-Forget)

Ranking takes time. Track progress and tweak as needed.

What to monitor:

  • Rankings (are you moving up?).

  • Traffic (are clicks increasing?).

  • Conversions (are leads/sales growing?).

Tools to help:

  • Google Search Console (free).

  • Ahrefs/SEMrush (paid).

FAQs (Quick Answers to Burning Questions)

Q: How many keywords should I target per page?

A: 1 primary keyword + 2-3 secondary keywords. Don’t stuff.

Q: What’s a good keyword difficulty score?

A: Under 30 for beginners. Under 50 if you have decent backlinks.

Q: How long does it take to rank?

A: 3-6 months for most keywords. Be patient.

Q: Should I go after high-volume keywords?

A: Only if the competition is low. Otherwise, focus on long-tail.

Final Step: Promote Your Content (Because Traffic Doesn’t Come for Free)

You wrote a killer post. Now, get eyeballs on it.

Best places to promote content:

  1. MediaGeneous (boost social media & YouTube growth).

  2. Reddit (relevant subreddits).

  3. Quora (answer related questions + link back).

  4. Facebook Groups (niche-specific communities).

  5. Email list (if you have one).

Key Takeaways (TL;DR Version)

✅ Start with seed keywords → expand with tools.✅ Match search intent (Google rewards answers).✅ Long-tail keywords = easier wins.✅ Steal competitor keywords (then outrank them).✅ Track & optimize (SEO is a marathon).

Now, Go Execute

Keyword research isn’t hard—it’s just missed. Most people skip it and wonder why their content flops.

Don’t be most people.

Use this guide, pick one keyword, and create content around it. Then repeat.

That’s how you rank like a pro.

Need help growing your brand? Check out MediaGeneous for powerful social media and YouTube promotion.

Now, go get that traffic. 🚀

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page