How can you benefit from using a keyword research tool?

While it's not strictly a keyword tool, I love Syllabus.io for this. There's a "Find more keywords" feature INSIDE user intents. The keywords it recommends are terms that are actually driving traffic to the user need I'm working on, so I know they're relevant. It's not just a machine spitting out suggestions based on similar word combinations.

Save time and effort is the best recap. At first sight, we tend to pick keywords that don’t have much to do with what our clients are actually searching for. And even if they do—the competition might be too saturated to gain a top ranking on Google. Hence, use an SEO tool and select keywords that: - are in demand - aren't oversaturated - are related to what you actually offer good research > wrong content

My go-to tool for keyword research is Answer The Public. It's free, fast, and highly efficient. This is what we call a "listening tool" which means that it "listens" to the conversations people have across the web. Conversations in the case of Google might look like a search query. Listening tools aggregate all such terms and present this data to you in an easily digestible form. From here, SEO copywriters like me, use these exact search phrases or queries (since they're long-tail keywords) to create our content strategy. And by creating content that answers these highly specific questions people have, we create value, thereby increasing traffic to our website.

Using a keyword research tool is a game-changer for SEO copywriting, allowing you to save time and effort while ensuring a more strategic approach. Instead of manually sifting through countless sources, these tools generate a comprehensive list of relevant keywords based on your seed keyword, offering crucial insights like search volume, competition, and trends. This enables you to pinpoint the best keywords to target and avoid those that are too broad or overly competitive. By streamlining the process, you not only boost efficiency but also enhance the precision of your content strategy, leading to better SEO results.

Some tools, like SEMrush, name intents for keywords, which is a good place to start. I try to push past simple intent categories, though, to figure out what users really NEED when they Google. The best way to do that is to look at the URLs that are earning the most traffic for a keyword (they might not always be the #1 snippet), and figure out what need that content is answering.

Using a keyword research tool not only helps in discovering relevant keywords but also provides deep insights into your audience’s intent and needs. By examining the keywords they search for, you can better understand their pain points, interests, and where they are in the buyer’s journey. Whether they’re seeking information, looking for solutions, or ready to make a purchase, this insight allows you to craft SEO copy that aligns with their specific intent. By addressing their needs directly, you enhance the relevance of your content, attract qualified traffic, and ultimately increase conversions. Tailoring your content in this way builds trust and fosters stronger connections with your audience.

SEO tools are not just about 'searching for keywords'. They are also about finding what lies between the lines. Start building content around niche keywords. Niche keywords usually don't generate a lot of traffic, but it's a very targeted audience. You attract a reader who's specifically looking for the solution you've written about. Now, all that's left is to convert a reader into your customer.

Identify trends. Tools like Google Trends or Ahrefs can show you which topics are gaining traction in real-time. For instance, if you notice that “AI in marketing” is suddenly trending, you can quickly create content around this topic—like a blog post titled “How AI is Revolutionizing Marketing in 2024.” This timely content not only captures current interest but also positions you as an up-to-date resource in your industry. Plus, trending topics often have lower competition initially, giving you a better chance to rank higher and attract more traffic before the trend peaks.

Long lists of related keywords inside most keyword tools are great for this. This is another thing, though, that I love Syllabus.io for. It takes seed keywords and finds the URLs that are earning traffic for those keywords. Looking through a list of webpages is much more effective. You start to notice trends. There are always the, "What is X?" content. But then you'll start to find others, like "X vs. Y," that you didn't think of. Or some other specific angle.

Using a keyword research tool can reveal new opportunities to enhance your SEO copywriting by uncovering related, long-tail, and semantic keywords you may not have considered. These insights allow you to expand your content strategy, tapping into diverse topics and targeting different audience segments more effectively. Additionally, these keywords can help you optimize for emerging trends like voice search and mobile search, which are increasingly important. By diversifying your content and incorporating these opportunities, you increase your chances of ranking for a broader range of search queries and staying ahead in the competitive SEO landscape.

Traffic over rankings, though, forever. Rankings are nice, but they're not people on the site. They fluctuate and we know that Google sometimes tweaks them. Rankings alone don't convert.

Monitoring your performance is key to maximizing the effectiveness of your SEO strategy. A keyword research tool allows you to track your keyword rankings, traffic, and conversion rates, giving you clear insights into what’s working and what needs improvement. By analyzing this data, you can refine your content to better match user intent and stay ahead of changing trends. Additionally, by examining your competitors’ keywords and strategies, you can discover gaps or opportunities in your own approach, allowing you to fine-tune your SEO copywriting and achieve stronger results over time.

Creating and running—entirely on my own—a blog about marketing (SEO, Email Marketing & Copywriting), I’ve learned more than during most of my time working in the industry. Use tools, correct your own mistakes, and write high-quality content (but do it yourself, don’t rely on Chat.. ;)). Working on your own project (and then privately for clients) is the best way to boost your knowledge about SEO.

Using a keyword research tool not only helps optimize your content but also enhances your overall SEO expertise. It exposes you to evolving trends, teaches you how to spot opportunities, and refines your understanding of user behavior and search engine algorithms. With this knowledge, you can stay ahead of your competition by crafting content that is not only relevant but also future-proof. As you regularly use these tools, your SEO skills will naturally sharpen, allowing you to produce higher-quality content that satisfies both search engines and your target audience.

Develop your content strategy One of the biggest goals of Keyword Research is to create a content strategy that establishes you as the leader in your industry. The whole aim of identifying the gaps and fixing them with the right content is to position your brand as the go-to source for all information regarding your niche. Your content marketing strategy depends upon thorough keyword research. And if this cornerstone of your content strategy falls, it creates a massive impact on your reach, growth, and marketing spend.

Using a keyword research tool goes beyond just finding relevant keywords—it’s an invaluable asset for optimizing your overall SEO strategy and growing your expertise. As you delve into trends and analyze data, you’ll not only discover new content opportunities but also sharpen your understanding of user intent and search engine behavior. This knowledge empowers you to adapt to algorithm changes and stay ahead of the competition. Consistent use of these tools enhances your efficiency, helping you create high-quality, targeted content that drives engagement, conversions, and lasting SEO success.