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Amol Ghemud Published: August 14, 2018
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Choosing the right focus keyword search trends is really what makes or breaks most content and SEO strategies. We may search the queries with different scenarios and words, and similar to this if we search for keyword trends we may encounter search queries like Keyword Search Trends, Current SEO Keyword Trends, Google Keyword Trends, SEO Keyword Trends, etc.
Similar to this, while selecting a keyword trend if we pick something too broad and you’ll get lost in the crowd; pick something too specific and you just may alienate even your buyer persona.
Finding the best keyword trends for your SEO strategy is like picking the perfect bowl of porridge — you’ve got to find the ones that are just right or your strategy will fall flat.
Do you want to optimize your website, drive more traffic and deliver higher conversions? This is a checklist that we follow, and can get your site to rank consistently on top of search engines. Download this ultimateSEO Checklistwhich includes On-Page SEO as well as Off-Page SEO techniques that will help you rank well on the search engines.
What are Keywords?
Keywords are ideas and topics that define what your content is about. When considered for SEO, keywords are the words and phrases that searchers enter into search engines, also called “search queries.”
If you consider your page and remove all the images, video, copy, etc. and look at the words and phrases, those are your primary keywords. As a content creator, you want the keywords on your page to be relevant to what people are searching for so they have a better chance of finding your content among the results.
Why are keywords important?
Keywords acts as a linchpin between what people are searching for and the content you are providing to fill that need. The goal in ranking on search engines is to drive organic traffic to your site from the search engine result pages (SERPs), and the keywords you choose to target (meaning, among other things, the ones you choose to include in your content) will determine what kind of traffic you get.
Such keywords are based on the keyword trends which require extensive research. If you own an apparel shop, for example, you might want to rank for “apparels in (city)” — but if you’re not careful, you might end up attracting traffic that’s interested in finding a new place to dance after dark.
Keyword trends can influence the audience as much as the content does, because you might describe what you offer in a slightly different way than some people ask for it. For you to create content that ranks well organically based on SEO keyword trends and drives traffic to your site, you need to understand the needs of those visitors — the language they use and the type of content they seek.
Keywords has a very central function in SEO. If you have phrases which are accurate and unique, search engine could crawl websites and assist these websites for search results.
Current SEO keyword trends can be found using various tools available for the keyword generation like keyword planner which gives the complete information about the competition of that particular keyword, number of times that keyword is used, price estimation for bid of that keyword.
While creating content that’s searchable organically and also by utilization of paid search it’s important that your digital strategy utilizes keywords from these three main buckets below.
Each type of keyword has their own pros and cons but wrapping these all together in one solid keyword strategy will yield the strongest results.
1. Generic Keywords
Based on the title, these are very generic, unspecific terms that get searched for. Something like “Cricket Match” or “Digital Cameras” would be considered a generic term.
One might ask the question, “How does Keyword trend affect Search Result?”. Such keywords based on the SEO keyword trends for organic search are highly competitive and not specific enough to the sites actual content.
However, being able to rank a generic keyword your site should receive a decent amount of traffic from that term. Conversions for that term might be a little low as a user is hitting your site for a very generic overarching topic and nothing too specific. In a paid search scenario when running an AdWords campaign it’s nice to integrate some of these generic keywords to make sure that every opportunity is covered. As the generic keyword will be more competitive, it will cost more per click. If the ad ranks well and receives a good Ad Score from Google, decent traffic might follow. Just as with organic search, once a user gets on the website from the search engine, conversions will most likely be low for this term.
2. Broad Match Keywords
These are the core terms of SEO strategy. Terms like “ODI cricket match” or “Canon T2I Digital Camera” will present a strong opportunity and engagement than a generic term. Once you optimize for broad match terms it will provide good traffic with not as much competition.
A broad match searcher has a specific item/content that they are searching for and optimizing for these type of terms will provide an average amount of conversions.
Broad match terms are right in the middle of things and are highly recommended due to moderate competition/cost and click through rate. A site that bases the majority of its content around these type of terms should perform pretty well.
3. Long Tail Keywords
This is the last of the three types of keywords to consider is the long tail keyword. Consider the following sentence being typed into Google.
“how do I set the aperture on my Canon T3I digital camera” This sentence would be considered a long tail keyword. Long tail keywords at times do not generate big traffic and not essentially traffic drivers to your site but if you rank for a long tail term you will get traffic due to its specific nature and low competition.
From the standpoint of AdWords, these terms will be the most affordable but traffic might not be as abundant. However, conversion rates for these keyword terms should be stronger than generic or broad keywords based on the keyword trends.
Just because you’re now aware of the types of keyword, one must not venture in keyword stuffing. A question which everyone must ask is, Why Keyword stuffing is not important after Hummingbird update in Google?
The answer to this question is simple, Hummingbird is the new algorithm, which is made up of more than 200 factors that can affect ranking and search. The biggest changes were made with a sharp eye on mobile and that’s not surprising given the explosion of the mobile market in recent years.
This brought about ‘conversational search’ being added to the Hummingbird algorithm, which is designed to focus on the meaning of a phrase, rather than individual keywords. Hence keyword stuffing becomes irrelevant in an era where majority of consumers are using voice activated techniques for search queries.
Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI)
Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) is a mathematical method used to determine the relationship between terms and concepts in content. The contents of a webpage are crawled by a search engine and the most common words and phrases are collated and identified as the keywords for the page.
LSI looks for synonyms related to the title of your page. For example, if the title of your page was “Classic Cars”. The search engine would expect to find words relating to that subject in the content of the page as well, i.e. “collectors”, “automobile”, “Bentley”, “Austin” and “car auctions”.
How to benefit from LSI
Latent Semantic Indexing is not difficult; it is simple common sense. Here are some simple guidelines:
If your page title is Learn to Play Cricket, make sure your article is about cricket.
Do not overuse keywords in the content. It could look like keyword stuffing and the search engines may red flag you.
Never use Article Spinning Software – it spits out unreadable garble.
If you outsource your content, choose a quality source.
Check Google Webmaster Tools and see what keywords your pages are ranking for.
Conclusion
SEO compounds over time, so the sooner you start using the types of keywords above. The better results you’ll get in the long-run. Improving your rank for these terms will not only help improve your website’s overall authority. but in turn help increase the rank of your other keywords in the process.
Watch: SEO Keyword Trends — Your Ultimate Cheat Sheet
For Curious Minds
Keywords are the fundamental bridge connecting what people are searching for with the content you provide to meet that need. This connection is vital because it determines the quality of your website traffic; targeting the right keywords attracts visitors genuinely interested in your offerings, not just random clicks. A successful SEO strategy depends on this alignment to ensure your content ranks for queries that lead to conversions.
The effectiveness of your keyword strategy hinges on analyzing several factors using tools like Keyword Planner:
Relevance: Your content must directly address the user's need behind the keyword.
Authority: Search engines favor content from sources they deem credible and authoritative on a topic.
Volume: This metric indicates the number of times a keyword is searched, showing its potential to drive traffic.
For instance, an apparel shop must target phrases like “buy summer cotton dresses” to attract shoppers, not just researchers. Choosing keywords that accurately reflect user intent is the difference between a high bounce rate and a high conversion rate. Understanding these dynamics is the first step toward building a site that consistently ranks at the top.
Current SEO keyword trends reflect evolving user behavior, language, and market interests, making them a dynamic guide for your content strategy. Monitoring these trends allows you to adapt your content to what your audience is actively searching for right now, ensuring your website remains relevant and visible. Ignoring these shifts can lead to a decline in organic traffic as your content becomes misaligned with user needs.
A proactive approach involves using keyword generation tools to identify and act on emerging patterns. For example, a shift from “digital cameras” to “mirrorless cameras for vlogging” indicates a change in consumer priorities. Your strategy should be agile enough to capture this new intent by creating targeted content. This keeps you ahead of competitors and solidifies your authority. Explore how to integrate trend analysis into your workflow to build a resilient SEO foundation.
The choice between generic and specific keywords involves a trade-off between reach and relevance. A generic term like “Digital Cameras” has high search volume, offering massive traffic potential, but it also comes with intense competition and lower conversion rates because user intent is broad. In contrast, a specific phrase indicates a user is further along in the buying journey and more likely to convert.
Consider these key factors when making your decision:
Competition Level: Tools like Keyword Planner show how difficult it is to rank for a term. New sites often cannot compete for generic keywords.
Search Intent: A specific query signals clearer intent, making it easier to create content that converts.
Budget: Competing for generic keywords often requires a significant investment in both on-page and off-page SEO.
A balanced strategy often yields the strongest results by using specific keywords to capture high-intent traffic while building authority to eventually compete for broader terms. Learn how to structure this tiered approach effectively.
Deciding between paid search for generic keywords and organic content for long-tail keywords requires balancing immediate visibility with long-term authority. Paid search can deliver instant traffic for competitive, high-volume terms, but the results stop when you stop paying. Organic content targeting long-tail keywords builds a sustainable asset that can generate relevant traffic for years.
A hybrid approach is often most effective. Use paid search to gather data on which generic keywords convert, informing your long-term organic strategy. Meanwhile, create content around specific, lower-competition phrases to build topical authority and attract a highly qualified audience. For example, an apparel shop might run ads for “shoes” while creating blog posts about “best running shoes for flat feet”. This dual strategy captures both high-funnel and low-funnel users, maximizing your overall market presence. Discover how to blend these tactics for optimal performance.
Misunderstanding user intent is a common but costly mistake that highlights the importance of precise keyword selection. Imagine an apparel shop in Miami wants to rank for “apparels in Miami.” While logical, they might attract searchers looking for nightlife or dance clubs if that term is locally associated with entertainment, not retail. This misalignment drives irrelevant traffic, increases bounce rates, and yields zero conversions, wasting valuable SEO efforts.
This example proves that search volume alone is a vanity metric. True success comes from attracting visitors with the right intent. By targeting a more specific phrase like “buy designer apparel in Miami,” the shop would connect with users who have a clear commercial intent. This focus on precision is what separates a strategy that simply drives traffic from one that drives revenue. A deep dive into user intent can reveal which keywords will bring qualified leads to your digital doorstep.
A B2B technology company can strategically use Keyword Planner to uncover high-value, low-competition keywords that drive qualified leads. Instead of targeting broad terms, they can analyze metrics to find niche opportunities. By filtering for keywords with lower competition but sufficient search volume, they can identify phrases that signal strong commercial intent from a specific professional audience.
This data-driven approach is crucial for outmaneuvering larger competitors. For instance, instead of “cloud computing,” a smaller firm could discover and target “secure cloud storage for legal firms,” a phrase with lower volume but much higher relevance and conversion potential. This precision allows them to dominate a specific niche rather than getting lost in the crowd. Analyzing these metrics reveals untapped markets and helps you build authority where it matters most. Explore how to turn this data into a concrete content plan.
A new local service business can systematically improve its local SERP visibility by focusing on geographically-targeted keywords. This process ensures that your on-page SEO connects directly with customers in your service area, driving relevant traffic and leads from the start. A structured approach avoids guesswork and builds a solid foundation for future growth.
Follow these essential steps for effective implementation:
Brainstorm Core Services: List all services you offer, like “emergency plumbing” or “residential landscaping.”
Add Location Modifiers: Combine services with your city and neighborhood, creating phrases like “emergency plumbing in (city).”
Use Keyword Tools: Input these phrases into a tool like Keyword Planner to check search volume and find related terms.
Integrate Strategically: Place your primary keywords in page titles, headers, meta descriptions, and body content naturally.
This methodical plan ensures your website speaks the same language as your local customers, making it easier for search engines to rank you for relevant local queries. Learn more advanced on-page SEO techniques to further enhance your local presence.
A balanced keyword strategy uses different types of keywords to engage users at every stage of their journey. High-volume generic keywords are used to attract a broad audience at the top of the funnel, while specific long-tail keywords target users who are closer to making a purchasing decision at the bottom of the funnel. This combination creates a powerful content ecosystem that nurtures leads effectively.
To build this strategy, your team should:
Map Keywords to Funnel Stages: Use generic terms for awareness-stage content (blog posts, guides) and long-tail keywords for consideration/decision-stage content (case studies, product comparisons).
Create Topic Clusters: Build content around a central “pillar” page targeting a generic term, with “cluster” pages targeting related long-tail keywords.
Analyze SERP Intent: Ensure the content format matches what users expect for each query.
This structured approach ensures you capture a wide audience and guide the most qualified leads toward conversion, maximizing your content marketing ROI. Discover how to refine this funnel with precise keyword selection.
The role of exact-match keywords is shifting from a primary ranking factor to one of many contextual signals. Modern search engines now prioritize semantic understanding, meaning they analyze the overall topic of a page rather than just the presence of a specific phrase. Consequently, marketers must evolve from keyword stuffing to creating comprehensive content that thoroughly addresses a user's query.
To signal relevance effectively in the future, your focus should be on building topical authority. Instead of optimizing a page for a single keyword, create a cluster of content around a core topic, naturally incorporating related terms, synonyms, and answers to common questions. This approach demonstrates expertise to both users and search engines. A forward-thinking strategy will also emphasize user experience signals like dwell time and click-through rate. Learn how these evolving trends will shape the future of SEO.
The most common pitfall is the “vanity metric trap,” where businesses chase high search volume keywords without considering the user's intent. This often results in attracting a large volume of unqualified traffic that bounces quickly and never converts, because the content does not match their underlying goal. For example, a user searching “cricket match” is likely looking for scores, not equipment for sale.
To avoid this, a robust keyword research process must prioritize intent analysis. This involves categorizing keywords based on whether the user's goal is informational, navigational, or transactional. By focusing on keywords with clear commercial or transactional intent, you ensure your content reaches users who are actively looking to make a purchase or inquire about services. This shift from a volume-first to an intent-first mindset is the key to building an SEO strategy that generates tangible business results. A deeper look into this process can transform your conversion rates.
A balanced keyword strategy solves the “porridge problem” by diversifying your keyword portfolio across different levels of specificity and competition. Instead of relying on one type of keyword, you create a tiered approach that captures users at various stages of their journey. This prevents you from getting lost in the crowd of generic terms or targeting phrases so specific that no one searches for them.
This balanced approach involves a mix of:
Head Terms: Broad, one-or-two-word phrases with high volume and competition (e.g., “Digital Cameras”).
Body Keywords: Two-to-three-word phrases with good volume and less competition (e.g., “best mirrorless cameras”).
Long-Tail Keywords: Four-plus-word phrases with lower volume but high intent and low competition (e.g., “best mirrorless camera for travel vlogging”).
By building content around this mix, you establish authority with long-tail wins while gradually building the strength to compete for more generic terms. Discover how to structure this portfolio for maximum impact.
Content often fails to rank because it doesn't align with the type of content search engines have already determined best satisfies user intent for a given query. A well-written blog post will not rank for a keyword if the top search engine results page (SERP) is dominated by videos, product pages, or comparison tools. This mismatch between your content format and user expectations is a major cause of poor visibility.
A thorough SERP analysis is the solution. Before creating content, you must examine the current top-ranking pages to understand what format, tone, and depth search engines are rewarding. This competitor analysis reveals the unspoken rules for ranking for that specific keyword. By creating content that is not only high-quality but also fits the established SERP pattern, you drastically increase your chances of earning a top spot. Learn how to perform this analysis to inform a winning content plan.
Amol has helped catalyse business growth with his strategic & data-driven methodologies. With a decade of experience in the field of marketing, he has donned multiple hats, from channel optimization, data analytics and creative brand positioning to growth engineering and sales.
Growth Strategy and Planning
