How to Do Keyword Research as a Beginner: A Personal Journey

As a beginner, I remember feeling overwhelmed by keyword research. It felt like an endless ocean of words, phrases, and numbers. I questioned myself: Which keywords should I choose? Will they rank? Will they connect with my audience?

I wasn’t alone in this struggle, and if you’re reading this, you might be facing the same challenges. Don’t worry—I’ve been there. And today, I’ll share the steps that helped me master keyword research in a way that felt personal, relatable, and not just about the numbers.
 

 The Keyword Research Journey: Step by Step 

1. Understand What Your Audience Is Searching For

   • - Ask yourself: What do I want to know when I search for something online?
   • - Relate it to your field: Are people looking for tips, solutions, or products?
   • - Use tools like Google’s autocomplete to get a feel for what’s trending in your niche.
      

2. Start With Broad Topics

   • - Choose a few broad topics that are central to your content. For example, if you’re in the health industry, these might be “fitness,” “diet,” or “mental wellness.”
   • - Once you have your topics, it’s time to break them down:
     • - Use Google Search or AnswerThePublic to find common questions or phrases.
     • - See what other related terms come up.
        

3. Use Free Tools to Find Keywords

   • - When I started, I didn’t have access to paid tools, so free tools became my best friend.
     • - Google Keyword Planner: A great tool to start exploring keyword search volume.
     • - Ubersuggest: Offers insights into competitor keywords and backlinks.
     • - Google Trends: Helps you see keyword popularity over time.
        

4. Analyze the Competition

   • - Look at who’s already ranking for the keywords you want to target.
   • - Ask yourself:
     • - Are these competitors using strong keywords?
     • - How can you offer something different or better?
   • - Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to find out what keywords your competitors are using.
      

5. Focus on Long-Tail Keywords

   • - As a beginner, targeting long-tail keywords helped me rank faster and more effectively.
     • - Example: Instead of targeting “fitness,” go for “best fitness routines for busy moms” or “how to stay fit during winter.”
   • - Long-tail keywords are more specific, and though they may have lower search volume, they often lead to higher engagement.
      

6. Make Sure the Keywords Are Relevant

   • - Keyword research isn’t just about picking the most popular words. It’s about choosing keywords that match the intent of your audience.
     • - Are they looking for information, a product, or a solution to their problem?
     • - Does your content answer that need?
        

7. Track Your Progress

   • - After you’ve implemented your keywords, track your success.
     • - Are your chosen keywords bringing traffic?
     • - Is the audience engaging with your content?
     • - Adjust as needed: keyword research is ongoing.

Blogs We've Written That Are Ranking Now

Here’s proof that keyword research, when done right, works. The following blogs are ranking well, thanks to proper keyword strategy:

• - Can AI Replace Human Intelligence?
• - The Siliguri Corridor: The Chicken’s Neck of India
• - Top 200+ Free High DA Sites [2024] | Build SEO Quality Backlinks

These blogs are living examples of how the right keywords can help you reach the top of search results and draw in the audience you’re targeting.
 

Common Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Avoid Them)

• - Overcomplicating the Process: Start small, with a handful of keywords, and build up over time.
• - Ignoring Audience Intent: Make sure your keywords align with what your audience truly wants.
• - Not Updating Keywords: Trends change, and so should your keywords.
   

Embrace the Learning Process

As a beginner in keyword research, it’s easy to feel lost but don’t let that stop you. Each search term, every keyword you explore, is a step forward. Remember, keyword research is part science, part art. It’s about finding the balance between what people are searching for and how you can provide value. Take your time, experiment, and keep learning. Before you know it, you’ll have a solid grasp of keywords that will help your content rank and resonate.

Good luck on your journey!