Advanced Keyword Research for SEO Beginners Course 2023

Improve your SEO skills with our advanced keyword research for SEO Beginners Course 2023. Learn how to find and analyze the best keywords for your website, evaluate keyword difficulty, and create a successful keyword strategy for 2023. Boost your search engine rankings and drive targeted traffic to your site with our expert-led training.

Welcome to the course on advanced keyword research course 2023! In this course, you will learn the latest techniques and strategies for conducting keyword research to improve the search engine optimization (SEO) of your website.

How To Do Advanced Keyword Research Like the SEO Pros Course

Before we dive into the advanced techniques, let's first review the basics of keyword research.

Keyword research is the process of finding and analyzing words and phrases that people use when searching for content on the internet. By understanding the language that your target audience is using to search for information, you can create content that is more likely to rank high in search engine results and attract organic traffic to your site.

Now that you have a foundation in the basics of keyword research, let's move on to some advanced strategies.

1. Use keyword research tools. There are a variety of tools available that can help you identify and analyze keywords, such as Google's Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and SEMrush. These tools can provide valuable insights into the search volume, competition level, and cost-per-click for specific keywords.
2. Analyze your competitors' keyword strategies. By examining the keywords that your competitors are using, you can get a sense of what is working for them and potentially identify gaps in your own keyword strategy.
3. Look for long-tail keywords. Long-tail keywords are more specific and often have lower competition levels than short-tail keywords. While they may not have as high search volume, they can still drive targeted traffic to your site.
4. Use related search terms. In addition to your primary keyword, consider including related search terms in your content to increase its relevance to users. These can be found by using the "searches related to" feature at the bottom of the search results page.
5. Utilize local keywords. If you have a local business, be sure to include relevant location-based keywords in your content to improve your chances of ranking in local search results.

By following these advanced strategies, you can effectively conduct keyword research and improve the SEO of your website. Happy keyword researching!

#1. Use keyword research tools.

There are a variety of tools available that can help you with your keyword research. Some popular options include:

1. Google Keyword Planner: This tool, which is part of Google Ads, provides data on search volume and competition level for specific keywords. It is a good option for identifying the most popular keywords in your industry.
2. Ahrefs: This tool offers a comprehensive suite of keyword research and analysis features, including data on search volume, keyword difficulty, and estimated traffic potential.
3. SEMrush: This tool provides data on search volume, keyword difficulty, and related keywords, as well as insights into your competitors' keyword strategies.
4. Keywordtool.io: This tool generates a list of long-tail keywords based on a seed keyword that you provide. It also provides data on search volume and competition level for each keyword.
5. Ubersuggest: This tool generates a list of keywords based on a seed keyword, along with data on search volume, competition level, and the number of results for each keyword.

By using one or more of these tools, you can gain valuable insights into the performance of specific keywords and identify opportunities to optimize your own keyword strategy.

#2. Analyze your competitors' keyword strategies

Examining the keyword strategies of your competitors can be a useful way to identify gaps in your own keyword strategy and discover new opportunities for targeting specific keywords. Here are some steps you can follow to analyze your competitors' keyword strategies:

• Identify your top competitors: Start by identifying the websites that are ranking well for keywords that you are targeting or would like to target.
• Use a keyword research tool: Use a tool like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to get an idea of the keywords that your competitors are ranking for. These tools can provide data on the search volume, competition level, and estimated traffic potential of specific keywords.
• Analyze your competitors' website content: Take a closer look at the content on your competitors' websites to see how they are incorporating keywords into their headings, subheadings, and body content.
• Identify opportunities: Look for gaps in your competitors' keyword strategies where you may be able to target specific keywords that they are not currently targeting.

By analyzing your competitors' keyword strategies, you can gain valuable insights into the language and terminology that is resonating with your target audience and identify opportunities to differentiate your own content and improve your search engine rankings.

Analyze your competitors' keyword strategies example

Here is an example of how you might go about analyzing your competitors' keyword strategies:

Let's say that you own an online store that sells outdoor gear, and you are looking to optimize your website for keywords related to camping and hiking.

You identify two of your top competitors as REI and Backcountry.com.

• You use a keyword research tool like Ahrefs to see which keywords these competitors are ranking for. You find that REI is ranking well for keywords like "camping gear," "hiking boots," and "backpacking tents," while Backcountry.com is ranking well for keywords like "camping equipment," "hiking clothes," and "backpacking packs."
• You take a closer look at the content on these competitors' websites and notice that REI is using a lot of product-specific keywords in their headings and product descriptions, while Backcountry.com is using more general keywords related to outdoor activities.
• Based on this analysis, you might consider incorporating more product-specific keywords into your own website's content, as well as targeting some of the more general keywords that Backcountry.com is using. This could help you to improve your search engine rankings and attract more targeted traffic to your site.

By analyzing your competitors' keyword strategies in this way, you can gain valuable insights into the language and terminology that is resonating with your target audience and identify opportunities to differentiate your own content and improve your search engine rankings.

#3. Look for long-tail keywords.

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that are less competitive and have lower search volume than short-tail keywords. They are typically more targeted and can be more effective at driving qualified traffic to your website.

For example, a short-tail keyword like "outdoor gear" might have high search volume, but it is also very broad and competitive. A long-tail keyword like "best backpacking tent for small groups" is more specific and has lower search volume, but it is also likely to attract more qualified traffic because it targets a specific audience with a specific need.

Here are some tips for finding long-tail keywords:

• Use keyword research tools: Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and SEMrush can help you identify long-tail keywords with lower competition levels and higher potential for driving targeted traffic.
• Look at related search terms: The "searches related to" feature at the bottom of the search results page can provide ideas for long-tail keywords that are related to your primary keyword.
• Analyze your competitors' keyword strategies: As mentioned previously, examining the keyword strategies of your competitors can help you identify long-tail keywords that they are not targeting.
• Incorporate long-tail keywords into your content: Once you have identified some long-tail keywords, be sure to include them in your headings, subheadings, and body content to improve the relevance of your website for those specific search terms.
• By incorporating long-tail keywords into your keyword strategy, you can attract more targeted traffic to your website and improve the effectiveness of your SEO efforts.

Here are a few examples of long-tail keywords:

• "best budget hotels in Paris"
• "vegan gluten-free dessert recipes"
• "top rated home security systems"
• "most comfortable walking shoes for plantar fasciitis"
• "how to start a garden in a small space"

As you can see, these keywords are more specific and targeted than short-tail keywords like "hotels," "dessert recipes," "security systems," and "shoes." They are likely to attract a more qualified audience and can be more effective at driving targeted traffic to your website.

#4. Use related search terms. 

Incorporating related search terms into your content can help to improve its relevance and increase the chances that it will rank well in search engine results. Here are some tips for using related search terms:

• Use the "searches related to" feature: At the bottom of the search results page, you will find a list of related searches that can provide ideas for additional keywords to include in your content.
• Use keyword research tools: Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, and SEMrush can provide lists of related keywords and phrases based on a seed keyword that you provide.
• Analyze your competitors' keyword strategies: Examining the keywords that your competitors are using can help you identify related terms that you may not have thought of on your own.
• Incorporate related search terms into your content: Once you have identified some related search terms, be sure to include them in your headings, subheadings, and body content to improve the relevance of your website for those specific search terms.

By using related search terms in your content, you can help to increase its relevance and improve the chances that it will rank well in search engine results. This can drive more targeted traffic to your website and improve the effectiveness of your SEO efforts.

#5. Utilize local keywords. 

If you have a local business, it is important to include relevant location-based keywords in your content to improve your chances of ranking in local search results. This can help to drive targeted traffic to your website from users who are searching for businesses in your area.

Here are some tips for utilizing local keywords:

Include your location in your website's title tags and meta descriptions: These tags are used to provide information about your website to search engines and are often displayed in the search results. By including your location in these tags, you can help to improve your chances of ranking in local search results.

• Use local keywords in your content: Be sure to include local keywords, such as the name of your city or neighborhood, in your headings, subheadings, and body content. This will help to increase the relevance of your website for local search queries.
• Use Google My Business: Claiming and optimizing your Google My Business listing can help to improve your visibility in local search results. Be sure to include relevant local keywords in your business description and add categories that describe your business.

By utilizing local keywords, you can improve your chances of ranking in local search results and attract more targeted traffic to your website.

few examples of Utilize local keywords. 

Here are a few examples of local keywords that a business might use:

• "best Italian restaurant in downtown San Francisco"
• "affordable dental care in Tampa"
• "top-rated auto repair shop in Los Angeles"
• "yoga studios near me"
• "hair salons in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood"

As you can see, these keywords include specific locations, which can help to increase the relevance of the content for local search queries. By incorporating local keywords like these into your content, you can improve your chances of ranking in local search results and attract more targeted traffic to your website.

What is keyword gold ratio (KGR)?

The keyword gold ratio (KGR) is a method for evaluating the difficulty of ranking for a specific keyword in search engine results. It is based on the idea that certain keywords are easier to rank for than others, and that these "golden" keywords can be identified by analyzing the ratio of the search volume for the keyword to the number of results that appear in the search engine results page (SERP).

The KGR is typically expressed as a percentage, with a higher percentage indicating a higher level of difficulty in ranking for the keyword. For example, a keyword with a KGR of 50% might be considered easier to rank for than a keyword with a KGR of 80%.

Some SEO professionals use the KGR as a way to prioritize their keyword targeting efforts and focus on keywords that are more likely to drive traffic to their website. However, it is important to note that the KGR is just one factor to consider when evaluating the difficulty of ranking for a specific keyword, and that other factors, such as the quality and relevance of the content, can also impact a website's search engine rankings.

How to find keyword gold ratio?

There are a few different ways you can find the keyword gold ratio (KGR) for a specific keyword:

1. Use a keyword research tool: Some tools, such as Ahrefs and SEMrush, provide data on the KGR for specific keywords. This data is typically based on the number of search results and the search volume for the keyword.
2. Calculate the KGR manually: You can also calculate the KGR manually by dividing the search volume for a keyword by the number of search results for that keyword. For example, if a keyword has a search volume of 10,000 and there are 100,000 search results for that keyword, the KGR would be 10%.
3. Use a KGR calculator: There are also online KGR calculators that you can use to determine the KGR for a specific keyword. These calculators typically ask you to enter the search volume and the number of search results for the keyword, and then provide the KGR as a percentage.

Keep in mind that the KGR is just one factor to consider when evaluating the difficulty of ranking for a specific keyword, and that other factors, such as the quality and relevance of the content, can also impact a website's search engine rankings.

Make Sure You Consider Keyword Density and Keyword Proximities in Content

Keyword density refers to the number of times a specific keyword or phrase appears in a webpage or piece of content, relative to the total number of words in that content. 

Keyword proximity refers to the distance between two or more keywords in a piece of content. Both keyword density and keyword proximity can be important factors in SEO, as they can help to indicate the relevance of a webpage or piece of content to specific keywords.

Here are a few tips for considering keyword density and keyword proximity in your content:

• Use your keywords naturally: Don't try to artificially increase the density of your keywords by repeating them unnecessarily. Instead, use your keywords naturally and in a way that makes sense for your content.
• Vary your keyword usage: Rather than using the same keyword or phrase repeatedly, consider using variations of your keywords to add variety and improve the readability of your content.
• Pay attention to keyword proximity: Try to place your keywords close to each other, as this can help to indicate the relevance of your content to those keywords.
• Don't sacrifice readability: While it is important to consider keyword density and proximity, it is also important not to sacrifice the readability of your content in the process. Make sure that your content flows naturally and is easy for your readers to understand.

By considering keyword density and proximity in your content, you can improve the relevancy of your webpage or piece of content to specific keywords and improve your chances of ranking well in search engine results.

What is the Best Keyword Density for SEO in 2023?

There is no specific percentage of keyword density that is considered "SEO-friendly." In the past, some experts suggested that a keyword density of 2-3% was optimal for SEO, but this is no longer the case. Today, search engines place less emphasis on keyword density and more emphasis on the quality and relevance of the content.

• Instead of focusing on achieving a specific keyword density, it is generally more effective to focus on creating high-quality, relevant content that includes your target keywords naturally. This means using your keywords in a way that makes sense for your content and your readers, rather than trying to artificially increase the density of your keywords.
• It is also important to avoid keyword stuffing, which is the practice of cramming as many keywords as possible into your content in an attempt to manipulate search engine rankings. Keyword stuffing is generally considered to be a spammy practice, and it can actually harm your search engine rankings and damage the credibility of your website.

By focusing on creating high-quality, relevant content that includes your target keywords naturally, you can improve the chances that your website will rank well in search engine results and attract targeted traffic.

What is Keyword Difficulty?

Keyword difficulty is a measure of how difficult it is to rank for a specific keyword in search engine results. It is based on a variety of factors, including the number and quality of websites that are already ranking for that keyword, the strength of those websites, and the level of competition for that keyword.

• Keyword difficulty is typically expressed as a percentage, with a higher percentage indicating a higher level of difficulty in ranking for the keyword. Some keyword research tools, such as Ahrefs and SEMrush, provide data on keyword difficulty as part of their keyword research and analysis features.
• When evaluating the difficulty of ranking for a specific keyword, it is important to keep in mind that keyword difficulty is just one factor to consider. Other factors, such as the quality and relevance of your content, the strength of your website, and your overall SEO strategy, can also impact your search engine rankings.

By considering keyword difficulty as part of your keyword research and SEO strategy, you can identify keywords that are more likely to drive targeted traffic to your website and improve the effectiveness of your SEO efforts.

How to Measure Difficulty of Keyword?

There are a few different ways you can measure the difficulty of a keyword:

1. Use a keyword research tool: Many keyword research tools, such as Ahrefs and SEMrush, provide data on keyword difficulty as part of their keyword research and analysis features. These tools typically use algorithms to analyze various factors, such as the number and quality of websites ranking for the keyword, the strength of those websites, and the level of competition for the keyword, in order to determine the difficulty of ranking for that keyword.
2. Evaluate the search results: You can also get a sense of the difficulty of a keyword by examining the search results for that keyword. Look at the websites that are ranking on the first page and consider factors such as the strength and authority of those websites, the quality of their content, and the number of backlinks they have.
3. Analyze your own website: It is also a good idea to evaluate the strength and authority of your own website in relation to the keyword you are targeting. Consider factors such as the quality and relevance of your content, the number and quality of your backlinks, and your overall SEO strategy.

By using these methods, you can get a sense of the difficulty of ranking for a specific keyword and determine whether it is a good fit for your website and your overall SEO strategy.

Are keywords important for SEO 2023?

Yes, keywords are still important for SEO in 2022 and beyond. Keywords are the terms and phrases that people use when searching for information online, and they play a crucial role in helping search engines understand the content on your website.

By including relevant keywords in your website's content, headings, and meta tags, you can help to improve its relevancy and chances of ranking in search engine results for those keywords. This can drive targeted traffic to your website and improve the overall effectiveness of your SEO efforts.

While the specific keywords that you choose to target will depend on your business and audience, it is important to keep in mind that the quality and relevance of your content is also an important factor in SEO. Therefore, it is essential to focus on creating valuable, informative content that addresses the needs and interests of your target audience, rather than just stuffing your content with keywords.

Long Tail Vs. Short Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that are less competitive and have lower search volume than short-tail keywords. They are typically more targeted and can be more effective at driving qualified traffic to your website.

For example, a short-tail keyword like "outdoor gear" might have high search volume, but it is also very broad and competitive. A long-tail keyword like "best backpacking tent for small groups" is more specific and has lower search volume, but it is also likely to attract more qualified traffic because it targets a specific audience with a specific need.

Short-tail keywords can be useful for driving general traffic to your website, but they may not be as effective at attracting targeted traffic. On the other hand, long-tail keywords can help to attract more qualified traffic, but they may have lower search volume and may not be as effective at driving overall traffic to your site.

Ultimately, the best approach will depend on your specific business and audience, and it may be useful to incorporate both long-tail and short-tail keywords into your keyword strategy. By doing so, you can attract a mix of targeted and general traffic to your website and improve the effectiveness of your SEO efforts.

What kind of SEO trends look for 2023?

It is difficult to predict exactly what SEO trends will emerge in 2023, as the field of search engine optimization is constantly evolving. However, here are a few trends that are likely to continue to be important in the coming years:

1. Quality content: Providing valuable, informative content that addresses the needs and interests of your target audience will continue to be an important factor in SEO.
2. Mobile optimization: As more and more users access the internet from mobile devices, it will be important for websites to be optimized for mobile in order to rank well in search results.
3. Voice search optimization: With the increasing popularity of voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, optimizing for voice search will become increasingly important. This may involve incorporating long-tail keywords and natural language phrases into your content.
4. Local SEO: For businesses with a local presence, optimizing for local search will continue to be important. This may involve claiming and optimizing your Google My Business listing, and including local keywords in your content.
5. User experience: Providing a good user experience, including fast loading times and a user-friendly design, will continue to be an important factor in SEO.

By staying up-to-date on these and other SEO trends, you can improve the chances that your website will rank well in search results and attract targeted traffic.

Is Meta keywords important for SEO in 2023?

The meta keywords tag is a HTML tag that was used in the past to indicate the keywords that a webpage was targeting for search engine optimization. However, the meta keywords tag is not widely used by search engines anymore, and it is generally not considered to be an important factor in SEO.

• In the past, some webmasters used the meta keywords tag to try to influence the ranking of their website by including a list of keywords that were unrelated to the content of their site. As a result, search engines began to ignore the meta keywords tag, as it was being used as a spammy way to manipulate rankings.
• Today, search engines place a greater emphasis on the content of a webpage and the context in which keywords are used, rather than the specific keywords that are listed in the meta keywords tag. Therefore, it is generally not considered to be an important factor in SEO.

Instead of focusing on the meta keywords tag, it is generally more effective to focus on creating high-quality, relevant content that includes your target keywords naturally, and on optimizing other important on-page SEO elements such as the title tag and headings.

Does Google ignore meta keywords?

Yes, Google and other search engines generally ignore the meta keywords tag. The meta keywords tag is a HTML tag that was used in the past to indicate the keywords that a webpage was targeting for search engine optimization. However, the meta keywords tag is not widely used by search engines anymore, and it is generally not considered to be an important factor in SEO.

• In the past, some webmasters used the meta keywords tag to try to influence the ranking of their website by including a list of keywords that were unrelated to the content of their site. As a result, search engines began to ignore the meta keywords tag, as it was being used as a spammy way to manipulate rankings.
• Today, search engines place a greater emphasis on the content of a webpage and the context in which keywords are used, rather than the specific keywords that are listed in the meta keywords tag. Therefore, it is generally not considered to be an important factor in SEO.

Instead of focusing on the meta keywords tag, it is generally more effective to focus on creating high-quality, relevant content that includes your target keywords naturally, and on optimizing other important on-page SEO elements such as the title tag and headings.

How many SEO keywords should I use?

The number of SEO keywords that you should use will depend on the specific goals of your website and the needs of your target audience. Here are a few guidelines to consider when determining the number of keywords to use:

• Focus on quality over quantity: It is generally more important to focus on using a few high-quality, relevant keywords rather than a large number of low-quality or irrelevant keywords.
• Use a mix of short-tail and long-tail keywords: Short-tail keywords are generally more competitive and have higher search volume, while long-tail keywords are more specific and have lower search volume. A mix of both types of keywords can help to attract a mix of targeted and general traffic to your website.
• Use variations of your keywords: In addition to your primary keywords, consider using variations of those keywords to increase the relevance of your content. For example, if your primary keyword is "dog training," you might also use variations like "train a dog" and "how to train a dog."
• Don't stuff your content with keywords: It is important to use keywords naturally in your content, rather than stuffing your content with an excessive number of keywords. This can make your content appear spammy and could harm your search engine rankings.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively determine the number of SEO keywords to use in your content to attract targeted traffic to your website and improve the effectiveness of your SEO efforts.

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