Types of Keywords in SEO

Search Engine Optimization(SEO)

SEO helps a website to get a Higher Rank in search engine result pages (SERP) by generating and increasing the amount of traffic by optimizing the content and elements. Some of the popular search engines are Google , Yahoo, Bing , Yandex and etc. Keyword research is one of the important factors for an SEO.

What is Keyword Research?

Keyword Research is a crucial factor that helps a website or webpage to Rank higher in search engine results and improve its SEO. This practice is wildly used by many professional who analyze the keywords users used for when looking for information or product online. 

SEMrush is one of the popular tool for conducting keyword research.

What is a Keyword?

Keywords are the terms users enters into the search engines when looking for information, products or services. They play a crucial role in SEO.

Classification of Keywords

There are basically four types of keyword

  1. Based on Length
  2. Based on Intention
  3. On site Keywords
  4. Geo-Targeting Keywords

1. Keyword Based on Length

They are further classified into three types

i. Long Tail Keywords

These keywords typically indicate to high intent purchase a product while facing competition. Although they attract less traffic is very low but the conversion to generate business is very high. This is why we primarily work on long Tail keywords. They helps a website reaching better ranking and positively impact UX Signals (User Experience Signals).

ii. Mid Tail Keywords

After achieving rankings and enhancing UX Signals with Long Tail Keywords we move on to Mid Tail keywords. While competition may be higher on these keywords, it is generally easier for them to rank as we have established a good foundation with long tail keywords. Jumping directly to mid tail keywords without focusing on long tail would likely to take more time to generate good UX signals and achieve rankings.

iii. Short Tail

After focusing on both Long tail and Mid tail keywords, achieving Rankings and generating good UX signals, it will now take less time to rank in Short Tail keywords. These keywords can also generate good business through SEO.

2. Keywords Based on Intention

   Based on intention, the keywords can further be classified into 4 types

i. Informational Keywords

Information Keywords are those terms or words which user enters into search engines to gain information or knowledge. Whether of the product they are planning to purchase or to learn something.

Example – How to play guitar.

ii. Transactional Keywords

Transactional Keywords are those terms or words which user enters into search engines they are ready to make a transaction or purchase. These keywords have a strong intention of buying or purchasing the product.

Example – buy running shoes online

iii. Commercial Keywords

Commercial Keywords are those terms or words that specify a user’s intent to compare or research of the product that user is in the phase of decision making before making a purchase.

Example – PS 5 Vs PS 4

iv. Navigational Keywords

Navigational Keywords are those terms or words which user enters into search engines when to want to reach a specific website or a webpage.

Example– Nike shoes

Intention Based keywords in SEO content strategy

Studying keywords based on intention is crucial for developing on effective SEO content strategy for websites. Before delving into the importance of intention- based keywords it is essential to understand the three main types of content sections typically found on websites:

i. Transactional keywords

These pages target keywords with transactional intent, where users are ready to make a purchase or complete a specific action.

Examples: Service pages, product pages and check out pages aimed at converting visitors into customers

ii. Blog Sections

This section focuses on creating content that targets informational or commercial investigation keywords. It includes articles, guides and posts that educate, inform or compare products or services to assist users in their research and decision-making process.

iii. User-Defined Sections

These pages serve specific user needs but are not primarily aimed at ranking in search engines.

Example: Login pages, User account pages and support pages designed to facilitate user interaction s or provide assistance.

3. On-Site Keywords

On-Site keywords are specific words or phrases strategically used within the content of a website to help it appear in search engine results when people search for those terms. They play a crucial role in SEO by indicating search engines what a webpage is about.

It is again divided into two parts:

i. Primary Keywords

These are the main keywords or phrases that best describe the main topic of a webpage.

Example– If a webpage is about ‘‘Best running shoes’’ then “Best running shoes” will be the primary keyword.

ii. Secondary Keywords

These are related terms or variations of the primary keywords that supports the main topic.

Example- So on a webpage created on “Best running shoes” itself, than secondary keywords could be “Top running shoes” for running, affordable running shoes and etc.

4. Geo-Targeting Keywords

Geo-Targeting keywords are specific keywords that include geographical terms and locations to attract users searching for products or services in a particular area.

Example – Best Pizza in New York, Hair salons in Mumbai and etc.

Factors Influencing Keyword Research

1. Search Volume

It means number of times a keyword is searched over a particular period of time. Higher search volumes mean higher interest and higher competition on that keyword.  

2. Competition

It means number of websites trying to rank on that specific keyword. Iit means the higher the competition, the greater the difficulty in achieving a high rank.

3. Keyword relevance

It means selecting or choosing relevant Keywords for a website to work on SEO.

4. Trend

This means it changes over time which is often influenced by seasons or events.

5. User Intent

It is basically the intent behind the user’s search query whether it is informational or transactional etc.

Summarizing it, Keyword is essential in SEO for improving search visibility. It is classified in Length, Intent, Geo-Targeting and on-Site each serving different purpose. It is crucial for optimizing content and driving organic traffic.