Table of Contents
Introduction
Related keywords play a crucial role in search engine optimization (SEO) by providing context and understanding to search engines about the content of a webpage. These keywords are not necessarily synonyms but are closely connected to the primary keyword being targeted. By finding and optimizing for related keywords, you can increase your chances of ranking well for a larger number of keywords and reaching a wider audience. In this guide, we will explore five effective ways to find related keywords and discuss how to use them in your SEO strategy.
How to Find Related Keywords
To find related keywords, you can utilize various methods and tools. Here are five effective ways to find related keywords:
- Do Keyword Research
Keyword research is one of the most efficient ways to find related keywords. By using tools like Semrush’s Keyword Magic Tool, you can enter your seed keyword, choose a country, and conduct a search. The tool will provide you with a list of related keywords along with their important metrics. You can further explore different match modifiers like broad match, phrase match, exact match, or related to refine your search. Broad match shows any variation of your seed keyword, phrase match shows keywords with the exact seed keyword, exact match shows keywords with the exact seed keyword in the exact order, and related shows keywords similar to your seed keyword based on similar search engine results.
- Analyze Your Competitors
Analyzing your competitors can provide valuable insights into related keywords. Start by conducting a Google search for the query you are interested in targeting. Then, use Semrush’s Organic Research tool to analyze the top-ranking URLs for that query. By entering each URL and selecting “Exact URL,” you can view the keywords that page is ranking for. This process can help you compile a comprehensive list of related keywords that you can use for your own content.
- Utilize Content Creation Tools
Content creation tools like Semrush’s SEO Content Template can help you find related keywords. By entering your target keyword and creating a content template, the tool will analyze the top-ranking competitors for that keyword and provide recommendations, including a list of semantically related keywords. These related keywords may not be synonyms but are closely connected and provide valuable context to your content.
- Evaluate Your Content’s Performance
Google Search Console is a free tool that can provide insights into the performance of your site in Google search. By accessing the “Search results” section under “Performance,” you can see the queries your site is currently ranking for. To analyze a specific page, select “Page” from the drop-down menu, enter the page’s URL, and apply the filter. This will show you the keywords the page is ranking for, allowing you to identify related keywords that you can add to your content to improve its relevance and ranking.
- Use Google Autocomplete and Related Searches
Google Autocomplete and related searches can be useful in finding related keywords. When you start typing a query into Google, Autocomplete predicts the search terms based on popular searches. These predictions are related keywords that you can incorporate into your content. Additionally, scrolling down to the bottom of the search results page will reveal a section with related searches, which are keywords strongly related to your initial search term.
How to Use Related Keywords for Content Optimization
Once you have identified related keywords, it’s important to know how to use them effectively to optimize your content. Here are two key strategies:
- Build Topic Clusters
Topic clusters are groups of interlinked pages that focus on a specific subject. They consist of a central “pillar” page that focuses on the main keyword and a cluster of pages covering related keywords. By interlinking these pages and providing comprehensive coverage of the topic, you can improve search engine understanding and establish authority on the subject. For example, if your main keyword is “copywriting,” your pillar page could focus on that keyword, while the cluster pages would cover related keywords like “copywriting tips,” “copywriting techniques,” and “copywriting examples.”
- Add Relevance to Existing Content
Search engines determine the relevance of a page to a specific topic by analyzing keywords and context. It’s important to include related keywords throughout your content to demonstrate its relevance to the main keyword. Incorporate these related keywords naturally in titles, headings, body text, images, videos, and other elements of your content. By doing so, you can improve your chances of ranking well for both the main keyword and related keywords.
Conclusion
Related keywords are essential for SEO optimization as they provide context and understanding to search engines about the content of a webpage. By using various methods to find related keywords and incorporating them effectively into your content, you can improve your chances of ranking well for a larger number of keywords and reaching a wider audience. Remember to conduct keyword research, analyze your competitors, utilize content creation tools, evaluate your content’s performance, and leverage Google Autocomplete and related searches. By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your SEO strategy and drive more organic traffic to your website.