When it comes to optimizing search engine rankings and driving more organic traffic to your website, keyword research is a critical factor. However, there are a number of mistakes that people make that can actually reduce the effectiveness of their efforts. To help ensure that you get the most out of your keyword research, here are eight of the most common mistakes to avoid.
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Not taking into account keyword trends and seasonality: Many keyword researchers focus solely on the volume of searches and miss out on important trends and changes in the market. For example, certain keywords become popular during a certain season or time of year. When researching keywords, make sure you take trends and seasonality into account, as this can have a major impact on the success of your campaigns.
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Not focusing on keywords with commercial intent: A keyword is only valuable if it can actually drive visitors to take action. Many researchers focus on keywords with high search volume, but not on those that actually drive conversion, such as those with buying words like “best” or “discount.” Make sure you are targeting keywords that have the potential to turn visitors into customers.
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Overlooking long tail keywords: Long-tail keywords may have lower search volumes, but they often present the best opportunity for conversion. These keywords tend to be more specific and are usually easier to rank for as there is less competition. Don’t be afraid to focus on long-tail keywords, as they can be invaluable for your SEO campaigns.
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Not diversifying keyword sources: Many researchers make the mistake of only using Google’s Keyword Planner. While it can certainly be useful, it is important to remember that there are many other tools available that can provide valuable insights, such as AnswerThePublic.com and Ubersuggest. Take advantage of all the resources available to you and get the most out of your keyword research.
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Failing to pay attention to local markets: Local markets can often be overlooked in keyword research. If you have a physical store, or locally-oriented services, local keywords can be invaluable. Make sure you are targeting locally-oriented keywords, as they can be highly effective for generating local traffic.
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Not looking at related keywords: Related or “cluster” keywords offer the opportunity to take advantage of related topics that may not be visible in the main results. They can be invaluable for providing targeted, highly-relevant content to searchers. Don’t overlook the potential of related keywords and use them to boost your search visibility.
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Not grouping keywords: Grouping keywords can be an effective way of ensuring you are targeting the most relevant keywords. You can do keyword grouping by finding related topics or phrases, or by arranging keywords by sections. This can help to make the most of your keyword research and maximize the visibility of your content.
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Not researching competitors’ keywords: It can be invaluable to research the keywords that your competitors are targeting. This can give you insights into the type of content they are producing and the keywords they are targeting. Don’t overlook this as an opportunity to gain an edge over your competition.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that your keyword research is as effective and efficient as possible. The more effective your research, the better the results of your SEO campaigns. Start avoiding these mistakes today and get the most from your keyword research.