Keyword research is an essential aspect of any successful digital marketing strategy. However, it can be challenging to find the right keywords to use for your website or blog. That’s where seed keywords come in. Seed keywords are the fundamental building blocks of effective keyword research. They are the words or phrases that best describe the core topic of your website or blog.
In this post, we’ll uncover the magic of seed keywords and show you seven proven techniques to discover them.
What Are Seed Keywords?
Seed keywords are the starting point of any keyword research process. They’re the words or phrases that you type into a search engine when you’re looking for information. It’s essential to choose the right seed keywords because they will be the foundation of your entire research process.
For example, if you have a fitness blog, your seed keywords might include “exercise,” “workout,” “nutrition,” and “health.” These seed keywords can then be used to find more specific and targeted keywords that will help your blog rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) and drive more traffic to your site.
Technique #1: Brainstorming
The first and most obvious technique for discovering seed keywords is brainstorming. Sit down with a blank piece of paper or a whiteboard and start writing down all of the words and phrases that come to mind when you think about your website or blog. It’s essential to think about your target audience and what keywords they might use when searching for your content.
To take brainstorming a step further, you can also use Google’s autosuggest feature. Simply start typing in a phrase related to your website or blog, and Google will suggest a list of commonly searched keywords related to that topic.
Technique #2: Competitor Analysis
Another effective way to discover seed keywords is by analyzing your competitors’ websites. Look at the content on their site and the keywords they’re targeting. You can use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to get a comprehensive list of the keywords they’re ranking for.
For example, if you have a photography blog and one of your competitors is “Digital Photography School,” you can analyze their site to find seed keywords like “photography tips,” “photography tutorials,” and “camera settings.”
Technique #3: Keyword Planning Tools
Using keyword planning tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or Moz’s Keyword Explorer can help you discover new seed keywords. These tools provide a wealth of information about specific keywords, including their search volume, competition level, and relevance.
Begin by entering a few seed keywords into the tool’s search bar, and it will generate a list of related keywords that you can use in your content. You can even filter the keywords by search volume, competition, and other factors to find the most relevant and effective keywords for your website or blog.
Technique #4: Customer Feedback
Your customers are an excellent source of information when it comes to discovering seed keywords. Ask them what words or phrases they would use to search for your products or services. You can use surveys, customer service emails, or social media to gather this information.
For example, if you sell personalized stationery, you might ask your customers what words they would use to describe their ideal stationery or what they would search for when looking for personalized gifts.
Technique #5: Social Listening
Social listening is the process of monitoring social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for conversations related to your brand or industry. Use tools like Hootsuite or Sprout Social to track keywords related to your website or blog.
By analyzing the conversations that are happening on social media, you can discover new seed keywords that are relevant to your target audience. You can even create new blog posts or social media campaigns based on the topics that are generating the most buzz.
Technique #6: Quora and Reddit
Quora and Reddit are both excellent platforms for discovering new seed keywords. These platforms are designed for people to ask questions and share information, making them an excellent resource for finding out what people are searching for.
Use the search bar on Quora or Reddit to find questions related to your website or blog. Read the answers to these questions to discover new seed keywords that you can use in your content.
Technique #7: Google Trends
Finally, Google Trends is an excellent tool for discovering new seed keywords. This tool shows the latest search trends, including the top related queries and rising topics related to your keywords.
Simply enter a seed keyword into the search bar, and Google Trends will show you the latest search trends related to that topic. This can help you discover new keywords that are currently trending and popular with your target audience.
Conclusion
Seed keywords are the foundation of any successful keyword research process. Use the techniques outlined above to discover new seed keywords and take your website or blog to the next level. By choosing the right seed keywords, you can improve your search engine rankings, drive more traffic to your site, and ultimately, grow your business.