how do I choose keywords?

[thersey]

I am doing SEO for my wordpress tutorial blog. What is the best strategy to choose keywords for search engine optimization of my blog?

[spizzo14]

what is your website so i can check it out? Kinda hard to tell you whats best without seeing your website. I would use the google keyword tool for ideas. Anything under 10000 impressions and low competition should be a good start

[full house]

use keyword tool like Keyword External Tool type your main keyword and search for 5 keywords that would bring you good traffic.

[alan smith]

First do analysis your competitor's blog/site through that you can get an idea about keywords. After that for finalizing your keywords use keyword suggestion tool like google adwords keyword tool, google insight for search and many more.

[bfxs]

Analyze which keywords have easier competition to topple at the top of the rankings. It would be difficult to target keywords where the sites on the top are quite well established.

[peskyhuman]

spizzo14, I understand the low competition comment, but I am just wondering why you say to choose ' under 10000 impressions' ?

[Web-Design-Guy]

Yes I'd be interested in that too.

No-one has mentioned it - I suppose it is obvious - but hey this is SEO 101 - but the starting point should of course be 'what do I want to be found for.' And then research/refine from there. Personally I always try not to target too many keyphrases so as not to dilute the 'weight' of primary terms. Typically I may target three primaries and perhaps five secondaries.

[chandrika]

There is a term called KEI used by Wordtracker
http://www.wordtracker.com/academy/keyword-research-kei

It stands for Keyword Effectiveness Index and basically analyses the number of searches for a given search term and how many competing websites are targetting that keyphrase, so at wordtracker you can quickly establish which key phrases may be worth concentrating on using their KEI value.

[SEOArbiter]

When starting out, focus on only a few keywords and you’ll get more links per each keyword. This concept of “link equity” should lead to better rankings. Focus on keywords that will convert versus informational keywords. In other words, you want to target the words or phrases that are getting customers to buy, rather than those that are simply doing research. To find new keyword ideas, visit: Google® Keyword Tool.

[Sandara]

check the competition on Google Adwords, sometimes the best keywords in our minds may not be the most searched keywords and that makes any campaign good as useless...Google Insights is a great resource too as it gives you a more detailed picture as to what are hot keywords based on a time span and location

best of luck!

[deepsand]

check the competition on Google Adwords,
How do you find the competition without knowing at least something about the keywords/phrases that they are bidding on?

And, how do you know the precise character string that they're bidding on;, and, whether you see them because they're using broad match, phrase match, or exact match?

[InternetHBO]

Also click on the spy glass in Google keyword tool and check out the Google Insights for a key word you like to get the Regional Interest for that keyword. This helps make sure the keyword is good in the country you advertise in.

[byronc]

If I choose some keywords or a keyword phrase or long tail - (all seems the same to me) and I am doing it under the premise of less than 10000, aren't I just targetting the fringe searches? ie if we are unable to target the real keywords that people use all the time aren't I just tying to catch searches that are slipping throught the cracks of other websites? Am i right in saying that keywords that are not highly searched are really just ones that customers DONT use anyway?

[deepsand]

The term "long tail" refers to the right-hand side of the graph of an inverse exponential curve such as this one.

http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/chronic/images/rsegraph.gif

For a graph re. frequency of query strings used, the the frequency would be plotted on the vertical axis, and the words/phrases on the horizontal one. And, it would generally be that case that the number of words in the query string increases as one moves rightward on the horizontal axis.

"Long tail" words/phrases are those which are used by searchers with lower frequencies than those which lie close to the origin of the graph. That does not, however, mean that they are of little to no import.

For such a graph, the area under the curve, between any two points on the curve, is a mathematical measure of the proportion of the whole that the selected segment represents.

Looking to the graph, from the point on the horizontal axis labeled "10," draw a vertical line that intersects the curve; then, compare the area to the left of such line with that to the right of it. It is easily seen that, although the curve has at that point dropped from a value of 100 to approx. 35, well more than half of the total area under the curve lies to the right of such line. Were this a graph re. query strings, this would tell that the majority of the totality of such searches involve long tail query strings.

It is not unusual that most go after the low hanging fruit at the left side of the curve, thus ignoring most of it. For those willing to put forth the effort, much more can be had.

This is of particular import for SEM, as the relative lack of competition for long tail phrases means that, by using the appropriate match types - exact and/or phrase, as opposed to broad - such phrases can collectively yield substantial traffic at much lower relative costs.

[byronc]

ok so the real core of this is to choose the right set of ke y words so that you get traffic that results in some business. Ok, so its zero in on one term and see if you can get buiness out of it. Now I need to google how to figure out what it the right term for me/my site.

[deepsand]

Firstly, step back at arms length, and try to pretend that you are one who is trying to find something that your site provides, and compile a list of the various query strings that you might use. Given that usage data shows that the average number of words in the strings used by searchers continues to increase, do not limit yourself to short strings.

Additionally, if your site is already active, and has received some traffic, no matter the volume, look to the server logs to see what query strings your visitors used.

Use the above collected strings as seeds for whatever keyword tools you use.

[byronc]

Hmm, I seem to get a lot more business by advertizing in the local online classified and soliciting work from various firms.. not sure I am in the right business for seo competition

[deepsand]

Hmm, I seem to get a lot more business by advertizing in the local online classified and soliciting work from various firms.. not sure I am in the right business for seo competition
Bear in mind that SEO is simply a marketing strategy; and, that keyword optimization but one tactic there employed.

As is the case for all, which strategies and tactics work best follow no pre-ordained order. So, go with those which provide you with the better ROIs.

[melissaford2]

An easy way to find new keyword combinations is to think like your customers. If you sell golf equipment, you would want pages based around putters, balls, drivers, brand names and specific products. Over time you slowly create more and more pages using phrases like 'king cobra driver' for example to cater for specific searches.

[Farang]

I use Google's suggestion feature. For instance, when you type in a word or phrase in Google's search bar, it will suggest other combinations of that word and I use many of those.

[deepsand]

I use Google's suggestion feature. For instance, when you type in a word or phrase in Google's search bar, it will suggest other combinations of that word and I use many of those.
You do realize that that's in part affected by your previous search history, don't you?

[deepsand]

An easy way to find new keyword combinations is to think like your customers. If you sell golf equipment, you would want pages based around putters, balls, drivers, brand names and specific products. Over time you slowly create more and more pages using phrases like 'king cobra driver' for example to cater for specific searches.
Is not that a very basic principle of all marketing, that one should first know and understand both the product and its potential buyers?

[jannayacks00]

Start here. Write down the top 10-20 key phrases that best describe what it is you do. There should be a few words here—not just “lawyer,” but “San Diego divorce lawyer.” Then use a tool like Wordle.net and the Google Adwords website content tool (on the old interface) to see what words are used the most on your site and what Google thinks your site it about. This can open your eyes to the need to change content on the site.

[Sandara]

Google Insights is great too, I use it to learn about the "Rising Searches" associated with your keywords...it also comes with a "Region of Interest" feature that shows which areas the keywords are highly searched

best of luck :)

[deepsand]

Start here. Write down the top 10-20 key phrases that best describe what it is you do. There should be a few words here—not just “lawyer,” but “San Diego divorce lawyer.” Then use a tool like Wordle.net and the Google Adwords website content tool (on the old interface) to see what words are used the most on your site and what Google thinks your site it about. This can open your eyes to the need to change content on the site.
Wordle's examples have several security problems:

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m: print memory usage
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q: hide console
r: reload policy configuration
s: dump system and deployment properties
t: dump thread list
v: dump thread stack
x: clear classloader cache
0-5: set trace level to <n>
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From the description on the Home page, it is not clear how Worlde aids in finding what query strings users are actually using. In fact, it appears that it is a tool that works strictly with your existing content.

[deepsand]

Google Adwords for keywords selection ...
Why would one undertaking SEO to improve their organic rank want to pay for an SEM account designed to yield PPC listings given the many free alternatives?

[seomixi]

Use keyword tool like Google's Keyword External Tool for keyword analysis,
1.use 2-3 keywords for each page optimization
2.use overlapped keywords, ex term life insurance has life insurance & term insurance.
3.Use All in one SEO pack for wordpress.

[deepakg]

I am doing SEO for my wordpress tutorial blog. What is the best strategy to choose keywords for search engine optimization of my blog?

'choosing keywords' as the main two word search phrase. Two to four word phrases are typical - longer phrases are less commonly used in searches. If you are selling products and services then one of your keywords should be your location (i.e. state, province or city).

[deepsand]

Two to four word phrases are typical - longer phrases are less commonly used in searches.
That has been steadily changing, with a growing number of users employing increasingly longer query strings.

To ignore such is to miss a significant number of potentially gainful long-tail phrases.

[thersey]

Long tail phrases that intent to "buy" are more specific ,they not only make for easier rankings, but they also convert better for you!

[deepsand]

Long tail phrases that intent to "buy" are more specific ,they not only make for easier rankings, but they also convert better for you!
They may or may not be less competitive; only research of existing organic and sponsored listings can tell.

They may or may not be more productive; only testing can tell.

[PaulDylan]

Here is a video regarding how to go about doing your keyword research (process): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zcvpS3b0nQ&feature=player_embedded

I typically do keyword research using 2 keyword tools, then going into the serps to see the # of competing websites and if I find a number I think I can compete within a given period of time (moreless) i start looking at the competitions backlinks data, etc. Regardless, given the right SEO you can compete against anyone but i think its wise to choose a long-tail kw if it can drive a good amount of qualified traffic.

[digitalgarden]

All of these posts are right on point. Keyword Tracker, Keyword Discovery & Google Keyword Tool are great for researching keywords. Find the "low hanging fruit" for a higher KEI with less competition to start. Focus only one one keyword per blog article. If you try and do too much it will only dilute your results. Longer tail keywords are great one to start with until you establish yourself. Good Luck!

[deepsand]

Focus only one one keyword per blog article.
How realistic is that in reality?

Given the complexity of language, it is rare that a given word or phrase does not have commonly used synonyms. To partion each such into a separate article is both unnatural and unwieldy.

[Optimize]

All of these posts are right on point. Keyword Tracker, Keyword Discovery & Google Keyword Tool are great for researching keywords. Find the "low hanging fruit" for a higher KEI with less competition to start. Focus only one one keyword per blog article. If you try and do too much it will only dilute your results. Longer tail keywords are great one to start with until you establish yourself. Good Luck!

I have been following this blog post that says the Google keyword tool is way out on search volume.

http: // www . davidnaylor.co.uk/why-the-google-adwords-keyword-tool-shouldnt-be-used-for-seo-a-case-study.html

( i cant do urls yet not enough posts) what do you guys think, what tools give best figures?

[deepsand]

In order to determine which gives the "best figures" requires that one first know the actual numbers. And, if possessing of the latter, all others are "less than best."

The only such tool that I know of that was true to the traffic that it tracked was the now defunct Overture one, killed off by Yahoo following their acquisition of Overture.

[deepsand]

i always use google Adwords Tools its best tools try it
Setting aside the fact that you merely parrot others, you obviously did not even read the post directly above yours.

In order to support your claim, you first need to have knowledge of the actual raw search data.

We look forward to your sharing such data with us. :mrgreen:

[AudreyCoreTech]

I agree with Sandara- Google Adwords is a very easy tool to use and I like SpyFu a lot also. It allows you to look at competitive site's keywords and see what ones you share or have personally as well as paid vs. organic counts.

[byronc]

2 keywords is extremely generic - you would be hardpressed to compete with everyone else on that keyword list unless its pretty unique.
go for longer keyword chains

[davidrankin]

I use micro niche finder, and I only target keyword who has a high commerciality value. I don't want my site to be visited by searchers not buyers.

So the ideal keyword that you need to choose would be;
high search volume
low competition
high commerciality value

[deepsand]

So the ideal keyword that you need to choose would be;
high search volume
low competition
high commerciality value
Invariably the first two cited characteristics are mutually exclusive - high search volume begats competition.

To avoid the latter requires the use of long tail keywords.

As for "commercial" value, that depends on the nature of the site and its goals.

[deepsand]

How we can check the commercial intention or value of a keyword?

MSN Commercial Intent (http://adlab.msn.com/Online-Commercial-Intention/) is a tool for determining the perceived level of commercial intent of a site specified by you.

Article re. commercial intent, user behavior, etc., include Commercial Intent & Web Search Behaviors (http://searchengineland.com/commercial-intent-web-search-behaviors-24315) and Buyer Keywords to Determine Commercial Intent (http://www.matthewsherborne.com/buyer-keywords-to-determine-commercial-intent/).

[singh88]

I personally used Googles applications; they keyword tool. You can check what keyword has how many searches locally and globally. And I agree with some above posts, you should focus on a couple main keywords and execute those. And just work your way up. Just remember to think like a customer, ask people what they would type in a search engine to find a site like yours.

[Petrafin]

First locate your competion, by using keywords you think are right. When you view the top 10, is this where you want to be?, modify the search term until you are happy the results, then use webmaster tools, and adwords and Alexa. Make certain your H1 title is the page main Title and 3 keywords should be enough, keywords should also be in the description. Every one should be in the page text, start and finish. Check out multiple keywords like " virtual mystery shopper" to build your keywords.

Drachsi

[deepsand]

First locate your competion, by using keywords you think are right. When you view the top 10, is this where you want to be ...
Trying to beat the competition by going head-to-head on the most competitive keywords/phrases is not advisable as a general strategy.

Also seek out long-tail keyword/phrases where the competition is lighter.

[JackRT]

I almost replied to the OP's question but realized the topic is actually from 2010... it's not like it's such a unique question, not sure why it was revisited.

Well, since I am typing this... I also vote for google keyword tool (though I started using market samurai as well, which extracts the same stuff) for the analysis. Having said that, I advocate targeting a "feasible" but "competitive" keyword... I disagree with targeting a 3-4 or 5 word phrase as a keyword... yes, it'll be a little tough at the beginning but if it's just one keyword you're working on, you'll soon see results (provided that you know OR learn in time what you're doing)

[deepsand]

... I advocate targeting a "feasible" but "competitive" keyword... I disagree with targeting a 3-4 or 5 word phrase as a keyword... yes, it'll be a little tough at the beginning but if it's just one keyword you're working on, you'll soon see results (provided that you know OR learn in time what you're doing)
And, under such circumstances, the results may very well be discouraging.

Competitive single words only look like low-hanging fruit. Don't invite the fate of Tantalus.

[JackRT]

And, under such circumstances, the results may very well be discouraging.

Competitive single words only look like low-hanging fruit. Don't invite the fate of Tantalus.

My apologies, I did not mean a single word as the keyword... I meant focusing on a single "phrase". Imho, a keyword composed of 2 words is competitive yet feasible.

[deepsand]

My apologies, I did not mean a single word as the keyword... I meant focusing on a single "phrase". Imho, a keyword composed of 2 words is competitive yet feasible.
That's very much dependent on the market segment and the degree of competition.

In general, users have increased the number of words in their query strings with the passage of time. However, with respect to Google, the deployment of Instant Search has there somewhat altered search habits, the degree to which is still unclear.

The most cost effective PPC bidding requires that one use exact match, including such aspects as the singular vs the plural, so as to take advantage of those instances where the competition is using less stringent match methods.

[LloydBurrell]

Invariably the first two cited characteristics are mutually exclusive - high search volume begats competition.

In general this is true, but consider a small business trying to become relevant in a very small niche. In this case, "high volume searches" may actually refer to the searches that fit the niche best and they may very well come with low competition (and fewer potential customers, of course). As far as online marketing is concerned, I see no real difference between long-tail keywords (which focus on a very specific set of potential customers in a large niche) and relevant keywords for small niches.

[deepsand]

Well, of course, in a sufficiently small market, everyone can be above the fold. But, that's a rather rare happening.

Even if that is the case, ignoring long tail phrases is an unnecessary leaving of money on the table, both from missed opportunities and an overpaying for broad matches on shorter query strings.

And, bear in mind that, with PPC, you are still competing against the organic listings.

[tbradley22]

There should also be other competition metrics since the competition on Google Adwords is only paid competition. I have a full spreadsheet that addresses 3 measures of competition and a new algorithm to come up with a final number. They include the keyword in the URL, page rank, keyword in title tag, etc.

Good luck!

[deepsand]

There should also be other competition metrics since the competition on Google Adwords is only paid competition.
With PPC, you are still competing against the organic listings.


I have a full spreadsheet that addresses 3 measures of competition and a new algorithm to come up with a final number. They include the keyword in the URL, page rank, keyword in title tag, etc.
These are neither "measures of competition" nor characteristics of PPC listings; rather, these are characteristics of organic listings.

So, your meaning here is completely missed.