SEO Keyword Research Step 2.1: Expand The Keyword List With ‘Related Searches’

Thursday, March 12th, 2009 | SEM, SEO

This entry is part 4 of 13 in the series Keyword Research

Keyword Research

Don’t worry – this is a simple step!

Go through your list, and enter keywords one at a time into your search engine of choice. That’s it!

Many times (though not always) search engines will offer “related terms” along with the search results. Just focus on the keywords that are particularly simple or broad (i.e., one- or two-word keywords). The search engines don’t usually offer “Related Searches” if the search phrase is too detailed.

Specific Search Engines

Google

Sometimes the related search terms will appear above the listings, sometimes below, sometimes never. Google is most likely to suggest related searches for generic, one-word searches.

Yahoo!

Yahoo! will return related terms both above and below the listings.

MSN

MSN Search, by contrast, will display the related terms on the side.

Quintura

Quintura is a search engine that uses a visual semantic map (like a tag cloud) to help users easily refine their search. For us, the cloud suggests related and alternative keywords.

For more information on using Quintura, read my post “SEO Keyword Research Tool – Quintura.”

Organizing the Keyword Research

Create a new worksheet named “Step 2,” then copy the contents of the “Step 1” worksheet into it. Then add any new keywords from this step into the “Step 2” worksheet.

I recommend this approach because it allows you to always “step back” to an earlier stage of research, if necessary. You keep all the information you accumulate, which may prove helpful when we start eliminating keywords.

But, here’s an alternative organization system if you prefer:

  1. Give every keyword thematic group its own worksheet in a single Excel (or other spreadsheet program) workbook.
  2. Color code each step – either the text, or the background color of the cell. So if the initial list of keywords are in black, the keywords you derive from this step might be blue, or the cell might be colored light blue. Then, keywords derived in the next step might be green.
Series Navigation«SEO Keyword Research Step 1: Build Your Basic Keyword ListSEO Keyword Research Step 2.2: Expand The Keyword List By Studying Your Business Competition»

Richard Goulde is a professional writer and SEO who combines compelling copy with Internet savvy -- sales, educational, PR and creative. He's based in Dallas but his words go global, so whether you're in Peoria or Paris, contact him to talk about how his work can serve your business needs.
Subscribe to this feed by email | Print This Post Print This Post

Tags: , ,

No comments yet.

Leave a comment

About Me

Compelling copy is just the start. I specialize in turbo-driving traffic to websites. How? Technical expertise. Juicy creativity. Search engine mastery.

I'm based in Dallas, but my work goes global, so whether you're in Peoria or Paris, let's talk about how my work can serve your business needs.

972-535-6140 or email me

 

"Richard writes the kind of press releases that nab national attention. He's a gifted writer and a tenacious and disciplined professional." -- Holly Hickman, former Fox News Radio space and science reporter, Miami



"You’ve done an amazing job and the pages you’ve written really make the destination come to life. Thank you!” -- Megan Fantinelli, BookSmart Tours



"Richard Goulde delivers. He's prompt, professional and full of creative ideas." -- The Orchid Group, Dallas



"Wow, I LOVED what you did to my piece. Everything you edited was right on, and overall made my entire article so much better, especially the ending, which was perfect. You really understood what I was thinking and transferred it on paper. Thank you so much. You have such a gift." -- Name withheld per NDA, but this is one of the nicest emails anyone has ever sent me, and I couldn't resist putting it on my site.