What is keyword research?

keyword research is an essential step in developing an effective content or search engine optimization (SEO) strategy. It involves the discovery, analysis and selection of keywords relevant to a particular topic. This can involve analyzing trends or topics related to a certain niche, competitor research, understanding the user intent behind different search queries and selecting suitable words that capture the essence of what users are searching for. Keyword research helps organizations better understand their target audience and create content that will better resonate with them.

A successful keyword research process should begin with identifying your brand's topics of interest and primary goals. Start by outlining objectives; this could include goals such as improving website traffic, increasing lead generation, optimizing content for Google rankings or any combination thereof. Research into user's search demands is then needed to build up a picture of what types of terms and phrases are typically used and identify which relate most closely to your goal criteria. In this stage insights can be gleaned from any combination of sources, ranging from competitor analysis through keyword tools for Google Adwords data sets, related searches on Youtube or even question folders harvesting search queries from forums and Q&As sites.

Armed with useful questions that guide your research you are now ready to select the right keywords for use in your SEO and content development efforts. A successful keyword strategy should involve long-tail items as well as short-tail phrases; long-tail terms are better suited to driving qualified leads whereas short tail ones can generate higher volumes of traffic in a quicker time frame. It is advised though to avoid keyword stuffing at all costs – cramming too many terms onto a page may lead to unnatural sounding sentences or even being penalized by search engines – so be sure not to over use identified words in any way that doesn't add value for readers.