How to Find Keywords for Blog

Finding the right keywords for your blog is one of the most critical steps in building a successful content marketing strategy. Without a clear understanding of what your audience is searching for, even the most beautifully written articles will struggle to gain visibility. Keyword research isn’t just about stuffing terms into your content—it’s about aligning your message with the intent of real people typing queries into search engines. When done correctly, keyword research helps you attract organic traffic, improve engagement, and establish authority in your niche. This guide walks you through every essential step to uncover high-potential keywords, avoid common pitfalls, and turn your blog into a magnet for targeted visitors.

Step-by-Step Guide

Define Your Blog’s Niche and Audience

Before you start typing terms into a keyword tool, you must understand who you’re writing for. Your niche defines the scope of your content, and your audience determines the language they use. Ask yourself: What problems do they face? What questions do they ask? What terminology do they use when searching for solutions?

For example, if your blog focuses on sustainable living, your audience might search for “eco-friendly kitchen swaps” rather than “green household products.” The difference is subtle but significant—it reflects real-world language. Create a simple audience persona: age, location, interests, pain points, and preferred platforms. This foundation will guide every keyword decision you make moving forward.

Brainstorm Seed Keywords

Seed keywords are the foundational terms that represent the core topics of your blog. These are broad, high-level phrases that capture the essence of your content. Don’t overthink them—just list everything that comes to mind.

For a blog about home gardening, seed keywords might include:

• home gardening
• grow vegetables
• indoor plants
• organic fertilizer
• composting at home

These aren’t meant to be final keywords—they’re starting points. Write down at least 10–15 seed keywords. You can expand them later using tools and research. The goal is to cover the major themes your blog will explore.

Use Keyword Research Tools

Manual brainstorming only gets you so far. To uncover hidden opportunities and measure search volume, you need data-driven tools. Even free tools can provide powerful insights.

Start with Google Keyword Planner. While primarily designed for paid ads, it reveals monthly search volumes and competition levels. Enter your seed keywords and note which ones have moderate to high search volume with low competition. Look for phrases with at least 100–500 monthly searches—enough to drive traffic without being dominated by giants like Amazon or Wikipedia.

Next, use Ubersuggest or AnswerThePublic. These tools show related queries, questions, and long-tail variations. For instance, typing “indoor plants” into AnswerThePublic might reveal:

• what are the easiest indoor plants to grow?
• can indoor plants survive without sunlight?
• how often should I water indoor plants?

These are goldmines. They represent actual questions people are asking—and they’re often less competitive than short-tail keywords.

Analyze Search Intent

Not all keywords are created equal. Two people might search for “best running shoes,” but their intent could be completely different. One wants to buy; another wants to compare features; a third wants to learn how to choose the right pair.

Search intent falls into four categories:

• Informational: Users want to learn something (e.g., “how to prune tomato plants”)
• Navigational: Users are looking for a specific site (e.g., “Reddit gardening forum”)
• Commercial: Users are researching before buying (e.g., “best soil for succulents 2024”)
• Transactional: Users are ready to purchase (e.g., “buy organic compost online”)

For blog content, prioritize informational and commercial intent. These users are in the awareness or consideration phase—they’re more likely to engage with long-form content, share it, and return for more. Avoid transactional keywords unless you’re selling products directly.

Expand into Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases—usually three to five words or more. They typically have lower search volume but higher conversion potential because they reflect precise user intent.

Examples:

• “how to grow basil indoors in winter”
• “best compost bin for small apartments”
• “why are my indoor plant leaves turning yellow”

These phrases are easier to rank for because they face less competition. A new blog with low domain authority has a much better chance of ranking for “how to grow basil indoors in winter” than for “indoor plants.”

To find long-tail keywords:

• Use Google’s “People also ask” section
• Check the “Related searches” at the bottom of SERPs
• Use tools like Keyword Surfer or Keyword Tool Dominator

Compile a list of 30–50 long-tail variations. Prioritize those with clear intent, reasonable search volume, and low competition.

Check Keyword Difficulty and Competition

Keyword difficulty (KD) measures how hard it is to rank for a term based on the authority of existing pages. Most tools assign a KD score from 0 to 100. As a beginner, aim for keywords with a KD under 30. Once you’ve built authority, you can target higher-difficulty terms.

Use Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to check KD scores. If you don’t have access to paid tools, use free alternatives like Ubersuggest or Keyword Surfer. Look at the top 10 results for your target keyword. Are they from established sites like BBC, Healthline, or Wikipedia? If yes, you’ll need high-quality backlinks and in-depth content to compete.

Also check the number of backlinks pointing to the top-ranking pages. If the

1 result has over 500 referring domains, it’s likely too competitive for a new blog. Look for opportunities where the top pages have fewer than 50 backlinks—that’s your sweet spot.

Group Keywords by Topic Clusters

Instead of treating each keyword as an isolated piece, organize them into topic clusters. A cluster consists of one pillar page (a comprehensive guide) and several supporting blog posts (cluster content) that link back to it.

For example:

• Pillar page: “The Ultimate Guide to Indoor Gardening”
• Cluster content:
• “How to Choose the Right Soil for Indoor Plants”
• “10 Low-Light Indoor Plants That Thrive in Apartments”
• “Common Indoor Plant Problems and How to Fix Them”

This structure helps search engines understand the depth of your expertise. It also keeps users on your site longer by encouraging internal linking. When creating content, always map your keywords to a cluster. This improves SEO performance and user experience.

Validate Keywords with Real Search Results

Never rely solely on tool data. Always manually check Google’s search engine results page (SERP) for your target keyword. Look at:

• What type of content ranks? (Blog posts, videos, product pages?)
• What’s the average word count of top results?
• Are there featured snippets? If so, structure your content to answer the question directly.
• Are there images, infographics, or tables? Include them in your post.

If the top results are all 2,000+ word guides with multiple subheadings and images, you’ll need to match or exceed that depth. If the top result is a 300-word listicle, you can outperform it with a more thorough, well-researched article.

Track and Refine Over Time

Keyword research isn’t a one-time task. Trends change. New questions emerge. Competitors update their content. Set up a system to revisit your keyword list every 3–6 months.

Use Google Search Console to see which queries are already driving traffic to your blog. Look for terms with high impressions but low click-through rates—these are opportunities to optimize your titles and meta descriptions. Also monitor which pages are ranking but not converting. Maybe the keyword intent doesn’t match your content.

Update old posts with new keywords. Add internal links. Refresh statistics. This ongoing process keeps your content relevant and your rankings stable.

Best Practices

Focus on User Intent, Not Just Volume

High search volume doesn’t always mean high value. A keyword with 10,000 monthly searches might attract visitors who aren’t interested in your content. A keyword with 500 searches might attract highly qualified readers who become loyal subscribers.

Always ask: Does this keyword align with my blog’s purpose? Will this content genuinely help the searcher? If the answer is no, skip it—even if the tool says it’s popular.

Avoid Keyword Stuffing

Search engines penalize content that artificially repeats keywords. Instead of forcing “best compost bin for small apartments” into every paragraph, use natural variations: “ideal compost container for apartment dwellers,” “compact compost solutions,” or “small-space composting options.”

Use synonyms and related terms (LSI keywords). Google understands context. Writing naturally improves readability and SEO.

Target Questions and Conversational Phrases

Voice search and mobile queries are rising. People now say, “Hey Google, how do I fix yellow leaves on my snake plant?” rather than typing “fix yellow leaves snake plant.”

Optimize for question-based keywords. Structure your content to answer common questions directly. Use H2 and H3 headings as questions: “Why Are My Indoor Plant Leaves Turning Yellow?” Then provide a clear, concise answer in the first paragraph.

Balance Short-Tail and Long-Tail Keywords

Don’t ignore short-tail keywords entirely. They’re valuable for brand awareness and authority. But prioritize long-tail keywords for traffic growth. A good rule of thumb: 70% long-tail, 20% mid-tail, 10% short-tail.

Short-tail: “indoor plants”

Mid-tail: “best indoor plants for beginners”

Long-tail: “best indoor plants for bedrooms with no windows”

Each serves a different purpose. Short-tail builds reach; long-tail drives conversions.

Use Local Keywords When Relevant

If your blog targets a specific region—say, “gardening in Florida”—include location-based keywords. Examples:

• “heat-tolerant plants for Florida yards”
• “best time to plant tomatoes in Tampa”

Local keywords often have less competition and higher conversion rates because they attract hyper-relevant traffic.

Update Old Content with New Keywords

One of the most overlooked SEO strategies is updating existing posts. A blog post from two years ago may rank for outdated keywords. Refresh it with current data, new long-tail phrases, and improved structure. This often outperforms creating new content from scratch.

For example, update “Best Indoor Plants in 2022” to “Best Indoor Plants in 2024: 15 Low-Maintenance Picks for Every Home.”

Don’t Chase Trends Blindly

Just because “AI gardening tools” is trending doesn’t mean you should write about it if your blog focuses on traditional organic gardening. Stay true to your niche. Irrelevant trend-chasing dilutes your authority and confuses your audience.

Use Keywords in Strategic Places

Place your primary keyword in:

• The title tag (H1)
• The first 100 words
• At least one H2 heading
• The meta description
• The URL slug
• Image alt text (if relevant)

Don’t overdo it. One or two natural mentions are enough. The rest should be handled by semantic variations.

Tools and Resources

Free Tools

Google Keyword Planner – Provides search volume and competition data. Requires a Google Ads account (free to sign up).

Google Trends – Shows how interest in a keyword changes over time. Great for spotting rising trends or seasonal spikes.

AnswerThePublic – Generates question-based keywords from Google autocomplete. Ideal for content ideation.

Ubersuggest – Offers keyword suggestions, difficulty scores, and content ideas. Free version has limited searches per day.

Keyword Surfer – A Chrome extension that shows search volume and related keywords directly on Google SERPs.

Google Search Console – Shows actual queries bringing traffic to your site. Essential for identifying ranking opportunities.

Freemium Tools

SEMrush – Industry-leading tool for keyword research, competitor analysis, and SEO audits. Offers a limited free trial.

Ahrefs – Best for backlink analysis and keyword difficulty scores. Its Content Gap tool helps find keywords competitors rank for but you don’t.

Moz Keyword Explorer – Provides search volume, difficulty, and opportunity scores. Easy-to-use interface for beginners.

Advanced Tools for Pro Bloggers

Surfer SEO – Analyzes top-ranking pages and recommends optimal content structure, word count, and keyword density.

Clearscope – Uses AI to suggest semantically related terms to improve topical authority.

MarketMuse – Helps build topic clusters and content briefs based on deep content analysis.

Supplemental Resources

Reddit – Subreddits like r/SEO, r/Blogging, and niche-specific communities (e.g., r/IndoorGardening) often reveal real user questions.

Quora – Search for questions related to your niche. These are goldmines for long-tail keyword ideas.

YouTube – Watch videos on your topic. Check the comments for questions viewers are asking. These often translate into blog topics.

Amazon Reviews – If you’re writing about products, read customer reviews. People mention problems, frustrations, and desires in their own words—perfect for keyword inspiration.

Real Examples

Example 1: Blog About Sustainable Fashion

Seed keyword: sustainable fashion

Seed keyword expansion:

• eco-friendly clothing brands
• how to build a sustainable wardrobe
• best secondhand clothing apps

Long-tail keywords found via AnswerThePublic:

• is sustainable fashion really better for the environment?
• how much more expensive is sustainable clothing?
• what are the most sustainable fabrics?

Search intent analysis: All three are informational. They indicate readers want education, not purchases.

Keyword difficulty: “how to build a sustainable wardrobe” has KD of 28 in Ubersuggest. Top results are blog posts with 1,500–2,500 words.

Content strategy: Create a 2,200-word guide titled “How to Build a Sustainable Wardrobe: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners.” Include subheadings for each question, real brand examples, and a downloadable checklist.

Result: Ranks on page 1 within 4 months. Gets 3,000 monthly organic visits and becomes the blog’s top-performing post.

Example 2: Blog About Remote Work Productivity

Seed keyword: remote work

Long-tail keywords from Google “People also ask”:

• how to stay focused while working from home
• best time management apps for remote workers
• how to avoid burnout working remotely

Competitor analysis: Top results for “how to stay focused while working from home” are blog posts with 1,800+ words, bullet lists, and embedded videos.

Content strategy: Write a comprehensive guide with 10 proven focus techniques, each explained with a real-life example. Include a table comparing apps like Forest, Focus To-Do, and Notion. Add a section on creating a distraction-free workspace.

Result: Ranks

3 for the keyword within 6 weeks. Gets 5,000 monthly visits. Readers share it on LinkedIn and Pinterest, driving referral traffic.

Example 3: Blog About Home Workouts

Seed keyword: home workouts

Long-tail keywords from Google Trends:

• home workouts with no equipment
• best 10-minute home workout for beginners
• how to lose belly fat at home without equipment

Keyword difficulty: “home workouts with no equipment” has KD of 35. Top results include YouTube videos and infographic-style blogs.

Content strategy: Create a visually rich post with 15 bodyweight exercises, each with a photo and video demo. Add a printable PDF workout plan. Target “beginner” and “no equipment” as modifiers.

Result: Ranks on page 1. Gets 8,000 monthly visits. Becomes a lead magnet for an email list of fitness beginners.

FAQs

How long does it take to rank for keywords?

It typically takes 3 to 6 months to rank for competitive keywords, especially for new blogs. However, low-competition long-tail keywords can rank in as little as 4–8 weeks if the content is high-quality and well-structured.

Should I target keywords with zero search volume?

Generally, no. But if a keyword has very low volume (under 10 searches/month) and extremely low competition, and it perfectly matches your audience’s intent, it can still be worth targeting—especially if it’s part of a topic cluster.

Can I use the same keyword on multiple blog posts?

It’s okay to use similar keywords across posts if they serve different intents. For example, “best running shoes” (commercial) and “how to choose running shoes” (informational) can both be targeted—but not in the same article. Avoid duplicate content by ensuring each post offers unique value.

How many keywords should I target per blog post?

Focus on one primary keyword and 2–4 secondary keywords (LSI or related terms). Overloading a post with too many keywords dilutes focus and hurts readability.

Do I need to use keyword research tools?

You don’t need paid tools to start. Google Search Console, Google Trends, and AnswerThePublic are powerful free options. As your blog grows, investing in tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush will save time and improve accuracy.

What if my keywords aren’t ranking?

Check your content depth, internal linking, and backlinks. Also review your title tag and meta description—are they compelling enough to click? Sometimes, a better headline or updated structure is all you need.

How do I know if a keyword is profitable?

Profitability isn’t just about traffic—it’s about alignment. If your keyword attracts readers who sign up for your email list, buy your product, or share your content, it’s profitable—even if search volume is low.

Conclusion

Finding the right keywords for your blog isn’t a guessing game—it’s a strategic process grounded in research, intent, and consistency. Start by understanding your audience, then use tools to uncover phrases they’re actually searching for. Prioritize long-tail keywords with clear intent and low competition. Structure your content around topic clusters to build authority. Update old posts. Track performance. Refine your approach.

Remember: SEO is a long-term game. The goal isn’t to rank for one keyword tomorrow—it’s to build a library of valuable content that consistently attracts the right people over months and years. The most successful blogs aren’t the ones with the most posts. They’re the ones with the most relevant, well-researched, and user-focused content.

Start small. Pick one seed keyword. Build one pillar page. Write three supporting posts. Track your results. Repeat. Over time, your keyword research skills will become second nature—and your blog will become a trusted resource that search engines reward with visibility, traffic, and growth.