How to Do Keyword Research: The Step-by-Step Guide to Rank Higher

Want to know the #1 secret to writing content that actually ranks?

It’s all about the keywords. But not just any keywords—the right ones. Keywords are like a roadmap. Without them, you’re driving blind in the vast world of search engines.

So, how do you get started with keyword research, and how do you make sure you’re targeting the words that’ll bring traffic to your website?

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Let’s break it down together!

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Step 1??: ???????????????????? ???????? ????????????????'?? ???????????? ????????????

Before diving into the tools and tactics, you’ve got to know who you're writing for. Ask yourself:

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What is my target audience searching for?

What problems are they trying to solve?

Are they looking for information (how-to guides) or are they ready to buy something (product searches)?

Understanding intent is key because it helps you target the keywords that match your audience’s needs.

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Step 2??: ???????????????????? ???????? ????????????????

Think of seed keywords as your starting point. These are broad terms related to your niche or topic. Let’s say you’re a fitness blogger—your seed keywords could be "weight loss," "workout tips," or "healthy eating."

Now, take these seeds and turn them into fully bloomed keyword ideas.

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Step 3??: ?????? ?????????????? ???????????????? ??????????

Time to bring in the heavy hitters—keyword research tools. Here’s a list of my go-to tools for discovering high-value keywords:

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a) ???????????? ?????????????? ??????????????: Google’s own tool, perfect for finding keyword volume, trends, and competition.

Great for: Starting your research with solid data.

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b) ??????????????????????: This is Neil Patel’s tool, and it’s amazing for beginners. It shows keyword ideas, search volume, competition, and even content ideas.

Great for: An easy-to-use interface with lots of insights.

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c) ????????????: Ahrefs is a powerful, all-in-one tool for serious SEOs. You can see keyword difficulty, top-ranking pages, and even what keywords your competitors are using.

Great for: Competitive analysis and in-depth keyword data.

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d) ??????????????: Similar to Ahrefs but offers additional features like position tracking and on-page SEO audits.

Great for: Holistic SEO strategies and tracking.

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e) ?????? ?????????????? ????????????????: Moz offers a straightforward, easy-to-navigate keyword research tool that also provides suggestions on related keywords.

Great for: Simple interface with reliable results.

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f) ??????????????????????????????: ?This tool shows you what questions people are asking based on your seed keyword. It’s great for creating content that answers specific queries.

Great for: Generating content ideas and identifying user intent.

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g) ???????????? ????????????: Want to know what’s trending? This tool lets you see the popularity of a search term over time and compare different keywords.

Great for: Spotting keyword trends and seasonality.

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h) ??????????????????????.????: Similar to Ubersuggest, it pulls keyword suggestions from Google’s autocomplete feature, which can give you more diverse ideas.

Great for: Long-tail keywords and content ideas.

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i) ????????????????: A versatile tool with a mix of features from keyword analysis to website auditing.

Great for: Full-scale SEO campaigns.

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j) ???????? ???????? ??????: As the name suggests, this tool focuses on finding long-tail keywords that have lower competition but high intent.

Great for: Niche-focused keyword strategies.

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Step 4??: ?????????????? ?????????????? ??????????????

Once you’ve gathered a list of potential keywords, it’s time to dive into the metrics. The three key things to look at are:

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???????????? ????????????: This tells you how many people are searching for the keyword each month. You want a decent volume but don’t be afraid of lower volumes if the keyword is highly relevant.

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?????????????? ???????????????????? (????): How hard is it to rank for this keyword? Tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush give you a score—typically from 0 to 100. Aim for lower difficulty keywords if you’re just starting out.

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?????? (???????? ?????? ??????????): This metric is mainly for PPC campaigns, but it’s a good indicator of keyword value. High CPC means businesses are willing to pay more for clicks, suggesting the keyword has buying intent.

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Step 5??: ?????????? ???? ????????-???????? ????????????????

Long-tail keywords are more specific, longer phrases that usually have lower search volumes but higher conversion rates.

Example: Instead of “workout,” a long-tail version might be “best home workout routines for weight loss.”

These long-tail keywords are often easier to rank for because they’re less competitive and reflect clearer intent from the searcher.

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Step 6??: ?????? ???? ???????? ??????????????????????

Why reinvent the wheel? Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to see what keywords your competitors are ranking for. If they’re succeeding with certain keywords, there’s no reason you can’t target them too!

Look at their content, see where they’ve used keywords, and figure out how you can make your content better.

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Step 7??: ???????????????? ?????? ???????????????????? ???????? ????????????????

Now that you’ve got a massive list of potential keywords, it’s time to organize them. Create a spreadsheet and group them based on:

Search volume

Difficulty level

Relevance to your content

Prioritize keywords that have a balance of good search volume and low-to-moderate difficulty. These are the golden nuggets that’ll give you the best chance of ranking.

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Pro Tip: Revisit your keyword list every few months and update your content to stay fresh and relevant.

P.S.: Keyword research is the foundation of SEO success. Nail this, and you’re halfway there! Want more SEO tips? Follow me

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