Quick Answer
Keyword research is the process of finding the exact words people type in Google to find information. To do it correctly: start with a seed keyword, use tools like Google Keyword Planner, filter by search volume and competition, analyze competitor keywords, and match search intent before finalizing your list.
“Keyword research is the foundation of every successful SEO strategy. But finding the right keywords is only the first step — once you have your keywords, you also need to know how to place them correctly on your page using On Page SEO basics.”
In this guide, you will learn exactly how to do keyword research step by step, which tools to use, and how to pick the best keywords for your website.
What is SEO Keyword Research and Why Does It Matter?
SEO keyword research is the process of discovering the words and phrases your target audience uses when searching on Google. It helps you understand what topics to write about, how competitive those topics are, and how much traffic you can expect.
Why is Keyword Research Important for SEO?
Without proper keyword research, even great content can go unnoticed. Here is why it matters:
- Drives targeted traffic — You attract people who are actually looking for what you offer
- Improves rankings — Google rewards content that matches what users search for
- Saves time — You create content that has proven demand instead of guessing
- Beats competition — You find gaps your competitors have missed
💡 Key Fact: 68% of all online experiences begin with a search engine. Keyword research ensures you show up at that starting point.
How to Do Keyword Research Step by Step
This is the core of how to do keyword research — follow these 5 steps consistently and you will never run out of good content ideas.
Step 1 — Start With a Seed Keyword
A seed keyword is a broad term related to your topic. For example:
- Niche: Digital Marketing → Seed Keyword: “keyword research”
- Niche: Fitness → Seed Keyword: “weight loss”
Write down 5 to 10 seed keywords that describe your business or content niche.
Step 2 — Use Google Keyword Planner to Expand Your List
Once you have seed keywords, enter them into Google Keyword Planner. It will give you hundreds of related keyword ideas along with:
- Monthly search volume
- Competition level (Low / Medium / High)
- Bid range (useful for commercial intent)
Step 3 — Check Search Volume and Keyword Difficulty
Not all keywords are worth targeting. Filter your list by:
| Metric | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Search Volume | Minimum 500–1000 searches/month |
| Keyword Difficulty | Below 40 for new websites |
| CPC | Higher CPC = more commercial value |
| Trend | Stable or growing trend preferred |
Step 4 — Find High Volume Low Competition Keywords
This is the golden rule of keyword research. High volume low competition keywords give you the best chance to rank faster with less effort.
How to find them:
- Use filters in Ahrefs or SEMrush — set KD below 30
- Look for long tail keywords — 4 to 6 word phrases
- Target question-based keywords — they have lower competition
Step 5 — Understand Search Intent Before Finalizing
Before adding any keyword to your content plan, always check its search intent — what does the user actually want?
| Intent Type | Example Keyword | Content Type |
|---|---|---|
| Informational | what is keyword research | Blog post / Guide |
| Commercial | best keyword research tools | Comparison article |
| Navigational | ahrefs login | Tool page |
| Transactional | buy semrush plan | Landing page |
“Once you understand search intent, the next step is to place your keywords correctly on your page. This includes title tags, H1, meta description, and body content. Learn exactly how to do this in our guide on on page SEO techniques for beginners.”
How to Choose the Right Keywords for SEO?
Learning how to choose keywords for SEO comes down to 3 simple rules:
Rule 1 — Relevance Over Volume
A keyword with 500 monthly searches that is highly relevant to your business is better than a keyword with 50,000 searches that is loosely related.
Rule 2 — Match Your Website Authority
New websites should target low difficulty keywords first. As your domain authority grows, go after more competitive terms.
Rule 3 — Mix Short and Long Tail Keywords
- Short tail: “keyword research” — high volume, high competition
- Long tail: “how to do keyword research for blog posts” — lower volume, easier to rank
Always build your content strategy around a mix of both.
“After choosing your keywords, proper placement is what makes or breaks your ranking. Your primary keyword must appear in the title tag, first paragraph, and H1 heading. For a complete checklist on keyword placement, read our on page SEO checklist for beginners.”
How to Check Competitors Keywords?
One of the smartest moves in SEO is to check competitors keywords before creating content. If they are already ranking, you know there is demand — you just need to do it better.
How to Find Competitor Keywords for Free
- Go to Google Search and type your main keyword
- Open the top 3 ranking pages
- Use Ctrl+F to find how they use keywords in headings and paragraphs
- Use free tools like Ubersuggest or Ahrefs Free Version to see their top keywords
Tool Comparison — Free vs Paid
| Tool | Free or Paid | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Google Keyword Planner | Free | Volume and ideas |
| Ubersuggest | Free / Paid | Competitor analysis |
| Ahrefs | Paid | Deep keyword data |
| SEMrush | Paid | Full SEO audit |
| Google Search Console | Free | Your own rankings |
How to Use Google Keyword Planner for Keyword Research?
Google Keyword Planner is the most trusted free tool for keyword research. Here is how to use it:
Is Google Keyword Planner Free?
Yes — it is completely free. You only need a Google Ads account to access it. You do not need to run any ads.
Steps to Use Google Keyword Planner
- Go to ads.google.com and sign in
- Click on Tools → Keyword Planner
- Select “Discover new keywords”
- Enter your seed keyword and click Get Results
- Filter by location, language, and date range
- Sort by Average Monthly Searches
- Download your keyword list as CSV
How to Track Keyword Rankings After Publishing?
After publishing content, you must track keyword rankings to know if your SEO efforts are working.
Best Free Tools to Track Keyword Rankings
- Google Search Console — Shows your average position for each keyword
- Ubersuggest — Track up to 25 keywords for free
- SERPWatcher — Clean UI, easy weekly tracking
- Ahrefs Webmaster Tools — Free version for your own site data
Check your rankings every 2 weeks. SEO takes time — most pages take 3 to 6 months to rank.
FAQ — People Also Ask
Q1: What is keyword research in SEO? Keyword research in SEO is the process of finding the exact search terms your audience uses on Google so you can create content that ranks and drives traffic.
Q2: How do I find high volume low competition keywords? Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush, set keyword difficulty below 30, and focus on long tail phrases with 4 to 6 words. These are easier to rank for.
Q3: How to use Google Keyword Planner for free? Create a free Google Ads account, go to Tools → Keyword Planner, enter your seed keyword, and explore keyword ideas with search volume data — no ad spend needed.
Q4: How to check what keywords my competitors are using? Use Ubersuggest or Ahrefs free tools, enter your competitor’s URL, and view their top ranking keywords. You can also manually check their content structure.
Q5: How often should I do keyword research? Do keyword research every time you plan new content. Also revisit your existing keyword list every 3 to 6 months as trends and competition change.
Q6: What is the difference between primary and secondary keywords? A primary keyword is your main target — used in H1, intro, and meta title. Secondary keywords are supporting terms used naturally in subheadings and body content.
Key Takeaways
- Keyword research is the first and most important step in any SEO strategy
- Always check search intent — ranking for the wrong intent will not bring results
- Target high volume low competition keywords especially if your site is new
- Use Google Keyword Planner and Google Search Console as your free starting tools
- Track your rankings every 2 weeks and update content based on performance
Start today — pick one seed keyword, run it through Google Keyword Planner, and build your first keyword list using the steps in this guide.
“Keyword research alone is not enough. To get real rankings, combine it with strong on page SEO optimization — because both work together to drive organic traffic.”
