Many people write great content, but 90% of pages still get no organic traffic from Google. The reason? They don’t know how to do keyword research. Without the right keywords, even the best article can stay hidden. According to Ahrefs, pages get no traffic from Google mainly because they target the wrong keywords.
The good news is that keyword research is simple once the basics are clear. This guide breaks it down step by step in a way that beginners can understand and follow.
You’ll learn how to find the best keywords, choose the right topic, and make your content easier to discover online.
Ready to make your content visible? Let’s start learning how to do keyword research.
How to Carry Out Keyword Research
Keyword research is a method in SEO used to pick a topic to write on, choose the correct focus keyword, or gather a set of keywords to build content around. The main purpose is to understand the strengths and weaknesses of any keyword before using it in content.
Understanding how to do keyword research is the first step in creating content that performs well in search engines. When keywords are used correctly, they help attract organic traffic and improve visibility on platforms like Google.
For beginners, the keyword research process starts with a broad topic idea. This could be a service, product, or question people ask online.
The goal is to discover what users are actively searching for and build content that meets that intent. Applying keyword research techniques for beginners helps content stay relevant, useful, and better aligned with search demand.
Basic Ways to Get or Generate Keywords
1. Brainstorm and Use Google
Start by brainstorming around your main topic idea. Pick a basic keyword and paste it into Google. Click search and look at the first 3 websites that appear on the first page. Observe how they structure their content, especially the way they use the keyword in the headline and subheadings.
For example, if your topic is “causes of pimples”, check how the top-ranking pages write their titles and arrange their content. This gives clues on what’s working in search.
Next, check the metrics of the keyword, such as search volume, search difficulty, and competition level. This will help determine if it’s worth targeting. Use tools like:
- Google Keyword Planner
- Ubersuggest
- Ahrefs
- SEMrush
These tools help identify high-traffic keywords and allow analysis of competition and user intent. This step enables you to choose keywords that are easier to rank for and ensures your content is optimized from the start.
2. Analyze Top-Ranking Pages
Studying existing top-ranking content gives insight into what is already working. Look for:
- Common subheadings
- Keywords or phrases they repeat
- Use of internal links and content structure
This approach helps you avoid guesswork and ensures your content is comprehensive without copying others. It also makes it easier to include natural keyword clusters, which improves the overall quality and semantic strength of your article.
Using keyword clusters is one of the most effective keyword research techniques for beginners because it allows content to rank for multiple variations of a keyword.
Types of Keywords
a. Short-Tail Keywords
Short-tail keywords are general terms, usually 1–2 words, such as “marketing” or “laptops.” They often have high search volumes but also high competition. These keywords lack clear intent and are harder to rank for.
b. Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are longer and more specific phrases like “best budget laptops for students” or “how to do keyword research for blogs.” They usually have lower search volumes but convert better because they show clear intent.
c. Intent-Based Keywords
There are three main categories of search intent behind keywords:
- Informational: Users want to learn something (e.g., “what is keyword research?”)
- Navigational: Users want to visit a specific site (e.g., “YouTube login”)
- Transactional: Users are ready to act (e.g., “buy wireless headphones online”)
Choosing a mix of keyword types and intents helps your content rank across different user journeys from learning to buying.
How To Get Keyword Clusters for Your Content Title
After selecting a main keyword, it’s important to identify related keywords, subtopics, and clusters to build depth into your content. This helps improve visibility for multiple related searches.
a. Use Google Autocomplete
Start typing your keyword into Google’s search bar. The autocomplete feature suggests common variations people search for. For example:
- How to do keyword research for YouTube
- How to do keyword research using free tools
- How to do keyword research in 2025
These suggestions reflect actual user queries and make great subtopics.
b. Use Keyword Tools for Clustering
Tools like AnswerThePublic, SEMrush, and Keyword Insights help group keywords into themes or clusters. For example, if your main keyword is “keyword research”, your clusters might include:
- free keyword research tools
- Keyword difficulty explained
- Beginner SEO checklist
Covering these clusters improves both user experience and SEO.
c. Check the “People Also Ask” Box
This section on Google search results shows real questions people are asking. Common questions for keyword research might include:
- What is keyword research?
- How do I find keywords for SEO?
- What tools are best for keyword research?
These questions are useful for creating an FAQ section or expanding your content naturally.
d. Study Your Competitors
Check top-ranking pages for your target keyword. What subheadings do they use? What keywords do they repeat?
Use these insights to improve your content structure. But always add new angles or perspectives to bring unique value. Keyword clustering is about full topic coverage, not repeating the same phrase endlessly.
Conclusion
Learning how to do keyword research can feel challenging at first. But once the basics are understood, starting with topic ideas, analyzing keyword types, and using tools to find search variations, it becomes much easier to apply.
Focus on real user intent when choosing keywords. Use long-tail variations. Build your article around keyword clusters like “keyword research techniques for beginners” to increase reach and relevance.
Test different tools. Analyze top-ranking content. And most importantly, create content that answers real questions.
Start now: Choose a topic, research your keywords, and write content that not only ranks but also helps readers.
FAQ Section
Q: What is keyword research in SEO?
A: Keyword research is the process of finding the words and phrases people use in search engines to find content, products, or services.
Q: Why is keyword research important for beginners?
A: It helps beginners target the right audience, improve search rankings, and create content that people are looking for.
Q: What tools are best for keyword research?
A: Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, AnswerThePublic, and SEMrush are great tools for finding relevant and low-competition keywords.
Q: How often should keyword research be done?
A: It’s best to do keyword research before creating new content, and review keywords regularly to stay up to date with trends.
