What Is Keyword Research?
Keyword research is the process of finding and analyzing the words or phrases people type into search engines when they want information, products, or services.
These words are called keywords.
By targeting the right keywords, you can make sure your website appears when your audience is searching for something you offer.
Example:
If you run a bakery in Seoul, people might search for:
“Best bakery in Seoul”
“Custom birthday cake Seoul”
“Fresh bread near me”
If you use these keywords in your website content, Google will understand your business and may show your site in the search results.
Why Is Keyword Research Important?
Keyword research is a foundation of SEO because it helps you:
Write quality content that matches what people search for.
Rank higher in search engines like Google.
Compete with your competitors for visibility.
Attract high-volume traffic to your site.
Understand customer intent before creating content.
If you’re starting from scratch, check our On-Page SEO Basics for Beginners for more tips.
Keyword Research for SEO
The main goal of keyword research in SEO is to rank your website for the right search terms.
When you target high-volume and relevant keywords, you increase your chances of appearing on the first page of search results and that means more visitors, leads, and sales.
Types of Keyword Research
There are four main types of keywords based on search intent:
Informational Keywords – People want to learn something.
Example: “How to bake chocolate cake”Navigational Keywords – People are looking for a specific website or page.
Example: “YouTube login”Commercial Keywords – People are comparing products or brands before buying.
Example: “Best DSLR camera for beginners”Transactional Keywords – People are ready to buy or take action.Example: “Buy iPhone 15 online”
How to Do Keyword Research
Brainstorm Seed Keywords – Write down basic keywords related to your business.
Use Keyword Tools – Find more keyword ideas using free and paid tools.
Check Search Intent – Understand why people are searching.
Look for Low Competition Keywords – Easier to rank for when starting out.
Use Both Short-Tail and Long-Tail Keywords – Short-tail is broad, long-tail is specific.
Step-by-Step Keyword Research Process
Begin your keyword research by listing basic terms closely related to your niche, products, or services. These are called seed keywords—they form the foundation for finding more specific, long-tail keywords. Think about what your potential customers might type into Google when looking for what you offer. For example, if you sell handmade candles, your seed keywords might be: handmade candles, scented candles, or soy wax candles.
Find your seed keywords.
Understand the intent of your target customers.
Write down possible words or phrases they might search.
Use keyword tools to discover more ideas.
Include both high-competition and low-competition keywords.
Add long-tail keywords for targeted traffic.
Create content that naturally includes these keywords.
Best Keyword Research Tools for Beginners
Google Search Console (free)
Google Keyword Planner (free)
Google Search Suggestions (free)
Ubersuggest (free + paid)
AnswerThePublic (free + paid)
Ahrefs (paid, free trial)
SEMrush (paid, free trial)
Importance of Keyword Research in Content Marketing
Keyword research is not just for SEO it’s also essential for content marketing. It helps you:
Create quality, relevant content.
Understand customer intent before writing.
Attract more visitors to your site.
Improve your conversion rate (turn visitors into buyers).
Help search engines measure your content quality.
Keyword research is the foundation of successful SEO. It helps you understand what your audience wants, attract the right visitors, and create content that ranks. Start by brainstorming seed ideas, expand using tools, study your competitors, and focus on long-tail keywords. With consistency and a focus on value, you’ll build a keyword strategy that boosts your visibility and results.