What is Keyword Research?
Keyword research is the process of finding the words and phrases (keywords) that people type into search engines like Google when they’re looking for something.
For example:
- If someone wants to bake cookies, they might search for:
“easy chocolate chip cookie recipe”
That’s a keyword!
If you run a baking blog, knowing people are searching for this means you can write a blog post with that exact title to get more visitors.
📚 Learn more here: Semrush Beginner’s Guide to Keyword Research
Why is Keyword Research Important?
When you use the right keywords in your content, your website is more likely to:
- Show up in Google search results
- Get more visitors (aka traffic)
- Attract people who are actually interested in what you offer
💡 Think of keywords like magnets – the right ones pull in the right people.
How Do You Do Keyword Research?
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide anyone can follow:
1. Think Like Your Customer
What would you type in Google to find your business or blog?
Example:
If you sell handmade candles, people might search for:
- “best scented candles”
- “soy candles near me”
- “eco-friendly candles”
2. Use Free Keyword Tools
There are tools that can help you find popular keywords.
✅ Free keyword tools to try:
- Google Keyword Planner (you’ll need a free Google Ads account)
- Ubersuggest by Neil Patel
- Answer The Public
These tools show:
- What people are searching for
- How many people search for it each month (search volume)
- How hard it is to rank for (competition)
🎥 Quick video explanation from Ahrefs: What is Keyword Research?
3. Pick the Right Keywords
Look for keywords that are:
- Popular (enough people are searching for them)
- Relevant (closely match what your page is about)
- Not too competitive (easier to rank for as a beginner)
📘 Check out Moz’s guide on choosing the right keywords
4. Use the Keywords Naturally
Now that you’ve got your keywords, sprinkle them into your:
- Blog titles
- Page headings
- Meta descriptions
- Product pages
- Blog body text
⚠️ Important: Don’t overdo it. Use them naturally. Google is smart and can tell if you’re trying too hard (this is called “keyword stuffing”).
Final Thoughts
Keyword research helps your content get found online. Think of it as learning what your audience is already looking for—and giving it to them!
You don’t need to be a tech expert or spend money to start. Just use free tools, write content people care about, and include the right keywords in the right places.
✅ Want a checklist to follow? Here’s a beginner’s SEO checklist from Backlinko