What Are Keywords? Understand Types of Keywords & Uses
What Are Keywords?
Keywords (also known as “SEO keywords," “keyphrases,” or “search queries”) are words and phrases that users type into search engines to find information on a particular topic.
In the world of search engine optimization (SEO), keywords are used in webpage content as a way of ranking at the top of Google’s results for that same keyword.
Why Are Keywords Important for Search Engine Marketing?
In many ways, keywords are the foundation of both SEO and pay-per-click (PPC) marketing campaigns. Ranking at the top of Google for your target keyword can bring in a flood of quality, targeted traffic.
And if you have an advertising budget, you can use PPC to get your site positioned above the organic results. This is how Google Ads works—advertisers bid to appear at the top of search results for specific keywords.
Types of Keywords
Branded Keywords
Branded keywords are keywords that include a specific brand name.
Examples of branded keywords include:
“Adidas tracksuit for sale”
“IPhone pricing”
“Pizza hut discount code”
Geo-targeted Keywords
Geo-targeted keywords include a geographic location such as “dentist in Mumbai” or “restaurants in Hyderabad.”
These are great targets for local businesses that serve a specific geographical area.
5 Best Tools for Finding Competitor KeywordsNegative Keywords
Negative keywords are terms that you don’t want to use in your Google Ads campaign.
For example, by adding the word “free” as a negative keyword, you will tell Google Ads not to show your ads to any searchers using the word “free” in their query.
Top 3 Free Google Seo Tools: This Is What Professionals DoIf you choose keywords to bidon in Google Ads, why would you need to specify negative keywords?
Well, Google Ads allows you to specify keywords as “broad match.” This means Google might show your ad for your exact keyword, along with variations.
For example, you may want to bid on the keyword “best toasters.” If you’ve set up for the broad match, Google may display your ads when people search for “best toasters under Rs 5000” and “best toasters for Bread.”
Which is where negative keywords come in. They allow Google to display your ad for related queries. But not for queries that you specifically don’t want to bid on.
How to Use Keywords
Here are a few best practices to keep in mind as you optimize your content around specific keywords:
Avoid keyword stuffing
Use keywords naturally
Focus on long-tail keywords with reasonable competition
Learn where to place keywords
Avoid Keyword Stuffing
Keyword stuffing is when you use your target keyword too frequently in your content. If you write naturally, you probably don’t need to even worry about keyword stuffing. You’ll include your target keyword (and related keywords) naturally.
Google is smart: if you use your keyword in your title tag, your URL, and throughout the page, they’ll easily figure out what your page is all about.
Use Keywords Naturally
Avoiding keyword stuffing is a good start. But what does it mean to use keywords naturally?
Here’s an example:
Let’s say that during the keyword research process, you discover the keyword phrase: “coffee shop near me.”
This particular keyword is difficult to use naturally. For example, you would not start a blog post with “Looking for a coffee shop near me?”
Focus on Long-tail Keywords With Reasonable Competition
We’ve talked a lot about long-tail keywords in this guide. And for good reason: they’re typically the best keywords to target for people that are new to digital marketing.
Learn Where to Place Keywords
Using keywords in your content (also known as “on-page SEO”) is a key part of ranking your website on Google.
That’s because where and when you include keywords helps Google determine what your page is about.
In general, your content will perform better in search when you include keywords in your:
Page Titles
Title Tags
Meta Descriptions
Alt Tags
Headers
Comments
Post a Comment