11 Types of SEO Keywords You MUST Know

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Today, I’m sharing fresh SEO gold to go with your morning coffee: 11 types of SEO keywords to help you consistently rank #1 on Google.

1. Short-Tail Keywords

These are broad search terms that people use when there’s no particular intent for a query yet.

Aptly called “short-tail”, these are short queries made up of one or two words, like “credit card” or “seo”.

You need them for:

• Exposure: These terms have a high search volume, so ranking for these keywords will give you more visibility.

• Market research: They help you understand what broad topics your target market is interested in, which can inform your content strategy.

• Competitive insight: They also reveal where your competitors are focused. 

⚡Pro Tip: Yield the best results by pairing short-tail with long-tail keywords. More on these up next!

2. Long-Tail Keywords

These are longer, more specific terms people use when there’s a specific intent behind a search query. 

Examples:

• “most affordable vegan restaurant denver”

• “best activewear brand for summer”

💡Pro Tip: People who use such terms are closer to making a purchase, making them great for BOFU targeting.

👉🏻That’s what my team at TrioSEO specializes in. We can help you scale organic traffic and sales with BOFU-targeted SEO content strategy. Get a free SEO audit to start today!

Use long-tail keywords for:

• Targeting niche audiences: Go hyper-specific to attract niche segments or people who are most likely to convert.

• Gaining authority for a new website: There’s less competition for long-tail keywords, making it easier to build organic traffic.

• Increasing conversion rates: These search queries signify intent, making the likelihood of conversion much higher.

3. Branded Keywords

Do you know that people can steal traffic from you? 

Competitors can use your branded keywords (keywords that include your brand name) and bid for them in Google Ads to lure people away from you to them. Yikes!

Examples of branded keywords:

• “Macbook M2 Pro”

• “Lululemon yoga pants”

Defend your branded keywords by:

• Bidding on your own branded keywords to maintain visibility and push competitors down

• Taking up more space on SERPs by using ad extensions

4. Non-Branded Keywords

Targeting branded keywords is like catching fish with a rod, whereas using non-branded keywords is like casting a wide net into the deep.

Examples:

• “running shoes”

• “seo audit”

They’re great for:

• Attracting new customers by expanding your visibility and reach

• Supporting your content strategy

• Targeting people in the early stages of the marketing funnel

5. Buyer Intent Keywords

Also called “commercial intent keywords”, these signify a strong intention to make a purchase. People who use these queries are ready to convert.

Examples:

• “best laptop for video editing”

• “Grammarly premium price”

To spot buyer intent keywords, look for:

• Action verbs like “order” or “buy”

• Transactional modifiers like “best,” “review”, and “free trial”

6. Informational Keywords

During the early stages of the marketing funnel, people want to learn. They’re looking for answers, information, and guidance.

That’s where informational keywords come in. 

Examples:

• “what is SEO hubbing strategy”

• “how to make a website load faster”

Use them to:

• Attract TOFU (top of the funnel) traffic through educational blogs, how-to articles, and tips

• Lead traffic toward your solutions

• Display expertise and authority

7. Navigational Keywords

When people are aware of your brand and what they need, you can make it easier for them to find you by targeting navigational keywords. 

This ensures you quickly capture their interest (so they’re not diverted away by competition!) and provide what your audience needs–fast.

Examples:

• “TrioSEO sign up”

• “EcomBalance support”

When to target navigational keywords:

• Catching direct searches of your brand

• Directing traffic after PPC campaigns

• Addressing the need for customer support

8. Transactional Keywords

Clinch high-intent leads or BOFU (bottom of the funnel) users by targeting transactional keywords. 

These are highly specific search queries used by people who have done their research, weighed their options, and are ready to act. No time to waste here!

Examples:

• “download outsourcing resources”

• “book SEO course”

How to target transactional keywords:

• Optimize landing pages designed to convert

• Include transactional CTAs in content

• Use transactional keywords in paid campaigns

9. Geo-Targeted Keywords

Essential for local SEO, geo-targeted keywords focus on specific locations. 

Examples:

• “best hotdogs in New York”

• “most popular bakery near me”

Use them if:

• You need to build location-specific traffic, such as if you’re serving a specific geographical area

• You want to rank in local or “near me” searches

10. LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) Keywords

Boost topical relevance and help Google better interpret your context by leveraging LSI keywords.

These are search terms that are not exactly synonyms of but are related to your main keywords. 

Examples:

• “running sneakers” for “running shoes”

• “e-commerce bookkeeping” for “e-commerce accounting”

How to find LSI keywords:

• Gather related searches on Google: When you type a query on Google, go to the bottom of the page to see related searches.

• Let Google auto-complete searches: Type a query and let Google complete the phrase for you. Look at the suggestions that come up.

11. Competitor Keywords

Competitor keywords help you do a little spying in “enemy” territory so you can:

• Identify gaps in their SEO strategy

• Pinpoint their high-converting keywords

• Reveal keyword ideas you haven’t explored

There are two way to find competitor keywords:

• Analyze SERPs: Search relevant queries on Google and see who appears at the top (also check content type and structure)

• Use SEO tools: These are tools like Ahrefs and Semrush that allow you to find your competitors’ top organic keywords and keywords they’re outranking you on

Target the Right Keywords to Rank Consistently

Keyword research is #1 in SEO. Without it, your content has no real strategy.

I’ve been researching keywords for 10+ years now, and I continue to learn new types every year! Each one I discover I then incorporate into my SEO strategies. 

👉🏻Bottom line: You need to know which keywords to target, how to leverage them, and when. Nail that to drive more traffic, leads, and customers.

Become an SEO Expert Today

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Want More SEO Tips?

Next week, I’ll uncover a BIG misconception about SEO, so stay tuned!

Cheers,

Connor

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