How To Conduct Keyword Research: A Beginner’s Guide To Drive Traffic
If you’re new to SEO and wondering how to conduct keyword research, you’re already heading in the right direction. Keyword research is the backbone of any successful SEO strategy. It’s how you find what your audience is searching for and how you can appear in their search results.
Whether you’re launching a new blog, optimizing your website, or simply learning how to do keyword research for beginners, this guide will walk you through every step in a simple and effective way.
What is Keyword Research and Why It Matters
Keyword research is the process of finding the right words and phrases (keywords) that people type into search engines like Google. It’s how you figure out what your target audience wants — and how you can show up when they search.
Why it’s important:
Increases your website traffic
Helps you write content people are searching for
Boosts your chances of ranking on Google
Guides your SEO content strategy
In short, learning how to find keywords for SEO is essential for online visibility and business growth.
Step-by-Step: How to Conduct Keyword Research
Let’s break it down:
1. Understand Your Niche and Audience
Before using any tool, ask:
What topics does your audience care about?
What problems do they need solutions for?
Knowing this gives you direction before diving into how to do SEO keyword search.
2. Brainstorm Keyword Ideas
Start with basic terms related to your business or blog. Use:
Google Search (look at autocomplete and “People Also Ask”)
Reddit, Quora, forums
Customer FAQs
3. Use Keyword Research Tools
Try these free and paid tools to generate and analyze keywords:
Google Keyword Planner (Free)
Ubersuggest (Free & Paid)
Ahrefs Keyword Explorer
Moz Keyword Explorer
This is where you’ll understand search volume, difficulty, and how to do keyword analysis effectively.
4. Analyze Keyword Metrics
Focus on:
Search Volume: How often is the keyword searched monthly?
Keyword Difficulty (KD): How hard it is to rank for it?
Search Intent: Is the user looking to buy, learn, or compare?
This step teaches you how to perform keyword research that aligns with your goals.
5. Choose Primary and Secondary Keywords
Your primary keyword should target the main topic (like “how to conduct keyword research”).
Secondary keywords help support the main topic and add SEO relevance.
How to Find Competitors' Keywords
Want to know how to find competitors’ keywords? Follow this:
Go to Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest
Enter your competitor’s domain
Check which keywords bring them the most traffic
This is called competitor keyword analysis, and it reveals what’s working for others in your niche. It helps you spot keyword gaps and opportunities.
Using Google Keyword Planner Effectively
Many beginners ask how to use Google Keyword Planner. Here’s how:
Create a free Google Ads account
Go to Tools & Settings > Keyword Planner
Choose “Discover new keywords”
Enter topics related to your niche
Analyze search volume, competition, and keyword ideas
It’s one of the easiest ways to do keyword research for free.
Tips for Long-Tail Keyword Research
Long-tail keywords are longer, specific phrases like “how to do keyword research for blog.”
Why they matter:
Lower competition
Higher conversion rates
Better alignment with user intent
To find them:
Use Ubersuggest or AnswerThePublic
Look at Google’s autocomplete suggestions
Check forums and online communities
Learning how to do long-tail keyword research can help beginners rank faster in search results.
FAQs
How to do keyword analysis for a website?
To do keyword analysis for a website, evaluate current ranking keywords, check their search volume, and compare them with competitors. Tools like Ahrefs or Google Search Console help monitor performance.
How to conduct keyword research like the pros?
Pros start with intent-based keyword planning. They use premium tools, conduct deep competitor research, analyze long-tail variations, and consistently test content performance to refine their SEO strategy.
How to do keyword research in Google Adwords?
Use Google Keyword Planner inside Google Ads. Enter a seed keyword, select your target country and language, and analyze search volume and competition to find the best keywords for your campaign.
How to find search volume for keywords?
Search volume shows how many times a keyword is searched per month. Use Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to find accurate search volume data.
How to do keyword research in digital marketing?
In digital marketing, keyword research aligns with buyer intent. It involves using tools to find terms people use at different funnel stages — awareness, consideration, and decision — and tailoring content accordingly.
Key Takeaways
Keyword research is your roadmap to SEO success.
Always start with intent — know your audience’s needs.
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to do keyword research for free.
Learn how to find competitors’ keywords to discover new opportunities.
Focus on long-tail keywords for better chances of ranking.
Learning how to conduct keyword research isn’t just a technical skill — it’s a strategic move to grow your organic traffic and online influence.