types of keywords

Types of keywords used in SEO

Keywords are the words or phrases which help us to interpret what the content is all about. In terms of SEO, keywords are the search queries that are typed in search engines by the users to search for what they are looking for. Every word typed in the search engine forms a new keyword.

Keyword research is the starting point of on-page SEO. For successful SEO, you have to first have to do thorough keyword research and create an excel file or whichever file you are comfortable with, of various keywords which will help you to generate leads.

But before doing keyword research, first, you should know what are the different types of keywords are there? So, in this article, we are going to discuss all the types of keywords.

1. Short Tail Keyword

As the name already suggests that these are short keywords that consist of not more than three words. This type of keyword is highly competitive and usually represents a broad category. E.g., Web designers in Kolkata.

Most of the user’s searches using short-tail keywords. So, getting your page ranked using a short tail keyword is not an easy task. Not recommended for beginners who just started their website.

Short tail keywords are also called Seed Keywords, Broad Keywords, Focus Keywords, and Head Terms.

Suggestion: Use this keyword as a theme keyword so that it will appear consistently throughout your website.

2. Long-Tail Keyword

As the name already suggests these keywords are long keywords that consist of more than three words. These types of keywords are more specific as using this you can target a specific niche or micro-niche. E.g., Upcoming games on Xbox Games Pass.

The users using long-tail keywords know what they are looking for. Through long-tail keywords, the search intent can be known.

The volume of searches for these types of keywords is less so they are less competitive. You can easily get a higher rank using long-tail keywords.

Suggestion: Long Tail Keywords are used for targeted pages especially on the product pages and blog posts.

3. Short Term Fresh Keywords

Fresh Keywords are the topics that are trending or being hyped. Such types of keywords will help you to bring organic views. The search volume of these keywords is very high but gradually decreases as the topics get old.

These keywords are not very competitive and can be used to bring fresh new content for the users. E.g., Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. As the Olympic 2020 is going on so the search volume relating to the Olympics is high at this point.

Suggestion: Use this type of keyword to bring up-to-date content for the viewers.

4. Long Term Evergreen Keyword

The evergreen keyword is those keywords that never get old and retain their value for a long period of time. The search volume of this keyword may not be high but it will be consistent in bringing new viewers.

The search volume will fluctuate but not to a large extent. The content should be updated once a year so that over time it maintains its value.

Some common evergreen keyword ideas that will last long are:

  • How-to Tips
  • Lists
  • Product Reviews
  • Instructional “How To” Tutorials
  • Videos

Suggestion: Use them to craft detailed, informative pieces that can be updated regularly or age well.

5. Product Defining Keyword

Product Defining Keyword is used to describe and explain the products. Users directly search the product to know more information about the product.

In this either you will get it right or you will not get it at all. People usually search for this keyword when they are ready to buy a specific product but they need to know a little bit more about the product.

Some Examples of Product Defining Keyword are:

  • XBOX Series X
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series S
  • PS5

Suggestions: Use it on your product pages to stand out from the generic crowd and match user intent.

6. Customer defining keywords

Customer-defining keywords and search phrases specifically identify a subset of customers or target audience. While searching customers employ words or phrases to define themselves.

E.g.: Kids Smartwatches, Men’s Trousers, Ladies Tees

These keywords have a low search rate but have a high conversion rate. The user’s search intent can be known from this keyword.

Suggestion: Use it to address your customers directly to create a sense that the product is tailored made for them.

7. Geo-Targeting Keyword

This keyword is used to target a specific city or neighborhood. It is the easiest keyword to use. Your business location or address is your geo-targeting keyword.

This keyword has a low search volume but a high conversion rate. E.g., Restaurants in Kolkata, Parlour in Salt Lake.

Suggestion: Critical for local business, and delivery-based business.

8. LSI Keyword

LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords are the closely related keywords of your main keyword. For the LSI keyword first, you have to decide your main keyword.

LSI keywords are used so that google can easily understand the context of the content and make it more meaningful. LSI keywords are useful in the sense where you can create topics to fit a broad theme and target all the smaller branches all based on one root keyword.

Suggestion: Boost ranking signal for the main keyword, and good for content creation.

9. Intent Targeting Keyword

The intent of a keyword search or keyword intent is one of the most vital aspects of a search. Understanding the intent of a search leads to attracting qualified prospects, driving more traffic to the site, generating more leads and more sales.

Broadly, there are three types of search queries:

  • Informational – search performed to learn or answer questions
  • Navigational – search seeking brands, products, or service
  • Transactional – searches intending to and ready to buy

This keyword is highly competitive and has an excellent conversion rate.

e.g.: ‘Buy Now’ Keywords:

Examples of “buy now” keywords include Buy, Discounts, Deals, Coupon, Free shipping.

e.g.: ‘Product’ Keywords:

Examples of ‘product keywords’ are: Affordable, Best, Cheapest, Comparison, Review, Top

Suggestion: Leveraging keyword intent is the essence of online marketing.

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