One of the most important, if not THE most important, aspect of improving your business’ performance in the world of search engine optimization (SEO), is to choose the right target keyphrase for your article. A keyphrase is an integral part of getting your blog noticed by Google and other search engines. It’s what lets them know that your article has what its users are searching for. How do you go about selecting the right keyphrase for your article though? Here are 5 strategies to use when selecting your keyphrase for your topic!
What is a Keyphrase?
First before we get into the strategies of selecting a keyphrase for your article, what exactly are they and why are they important for SEO? A keyword or keyphrase is a string of word(s) used throughout an article or other writing on a website. Their purpose is to let Google and other search engines know what the content of said page or article is. For instance, when someone searches for “best proposal locations in Chicago”, how does Google know what to put on its search engine results pages (SERPs)?
Without getting too technical, Google has programs called crawlers that they use to determine the content of each page it has access to. These crawlers search for recurring keywords and keyphrases in text to then decipher the purpose of that bit of text. From there the page is indexed so that when someone searches “best proposal locations in Chicago”, Google knows exactly what articles answer that question!
5 Strategies to Choose the Right Keyphrase for your Article to Boost SEO
1. Think Like Someone Searching on Google
There are of course TONS of tools and resources out there to help you decide on the right keyphrase for your article, and we’ll be covering those soon enough, but the first strategy we always recommend is to think like someone using Google. Everyone searches for things on the internet, whether it’s through Google or another search engine. When coming up with your keyphrase for your article, think of the intent of the article itself. Who is it serving, what questions is it answering, and (most importantly) what words are people using to search for these answers? Using this thought process you’ll be able to come up with a few rough ideas for keyphrases which you can then take into the next steps to refine them.
2. Use Questions Your Clients Have Asked
Another way to brainstorm ideas for your keyphrase and article topics is something you’ve had in front of you all along, your own client questions! Whether you’re in the wedding industry or not you’ve no doubt gotten questions from clients about a wide array of subjects. One thing you can be certain of is that if your clients are asking it there’s a 100% chance that someone else has asked and will be asking the same question(s). Coming up with keyphrases and articles that answer these questions is a great start, but there’s still more to take into account!
3. Use Keyword Research Tools
The next key to selecting the perfect keyphrase for your article is to use the many keyword research tools available online! There are of course a variety of tools out there available to use for free. Our 4 favorites include:
When using these tools there are a few things to keep an eye on. You’ll want to look at the recommended keyphrases compared to the one you’ve given, the competition level, and the search volume. Finding a keyphrase with lower competition and a higher search volume will be easier to rank for and are the ones you should be targeting when first starting out.
4. Choose Long-Tail Keyphrases for Your Article
Long-tail keyphrases are those that are more specific and have a lower search volume when compared to their more broad counterparts. Why would you target them then if they have a lower search volume? Because they also often come with a lower level of competition! Think about it, how many blogs would fall under the search term “portrait photography”? Now how many fall under the term “outdoor family portrait photography tips”? The answer is MUCH fewer, and while that term may get searched much less often than the previous one, that lower competition means you have a better chance of showing up in those searches. Remember SEO is a long game about building Google’s trust in you as a credible source. You can’t just go right for the big keyphrases at the start without building up your presence first!
5. Look Towards Your Competition
Finally, you’ll want to keep an eye on your competition and the trends they’re following. Now this of course does NOT mean that you should be directly copying them or even worse plagiarizing them. This strategy is more so meant to help you keep an eye on popular trends in your industry, identify gaps in your competition’s strategies, or just get a better idea of how to write using keyphrases naturally.
Choosing the right keyphrase with SEO in mind is a strategy that can significantly impact the visibility and success of your article. Using the strategies listed above in tandem is a great way to start generating optimized keyphrases that you can create content around to start serving your audience and grow your reputation with Google! For more SEO strategies and tips keep an eye on our blog and if you’re looking to book with us for our services be sure to head to our contact page!
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