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Keyword Research

Keyword research is a practice used by search engine optimization professionals to find and research actual search terms people enter into the search engines when conducting a search. Search engine optimization professionals research keywords in order to achieve better rankings in their desired keywords. Currently, there are approximately 1.5 billion people online, worldwide, which is an increase of 405% from December 2000. In August 2008 alone, there were 11.7 billion searches within the United States. Keyword research is a crucial and necessary practice for the success of any business online.

Preparing for Keyword Research

Search engine optimization is crucial to internet marketing strategy and without proper keyword research, it is near impossible to expect any results from SEO’s. Keyword research is the first fundamental step in SEO. Right keyword selection is very often the difference between an effective and a failed SEO strategy. A typical process for keyword research begins with a list of target keywords based on industry information, then finding out the traffic levels for each target keywords, and finally refining the keyword list based on search volume and level of competition

Keyword Research Best Practices

  • Keep your one way backlinks related and as close to your niche topic as possible. Keeping backlinks in such a manner is one of the most powerful SEO practices anyone can utilize.
  • Use low competition keywords. If your keywords have low competition, it will take your site straight to the top.
  • Keywords should be from both the domain URL and the website’s title. This will dramatically increase the effectiveness of the keywords used.
  • Do not use a hit or miss methodology. Always use the tools available to you. There are plenty of tools online that are both free and paid you can use to your advantage.
  • Do not limit yourself to just one tool. It is widely known that the more perspectives the better. The more tools you use, the more you will see which keywords are truly effective.
  • Always keep a record of the keywords you find and used. Sorting them by traffic statistics will greatly aid you in making informed decisions.

Keyword Research Resources

Keyword Research: Training and Certificates

OMI – Keyword Research Certification: Online Market Institute offers a course online that teaches you how to leverage industry-standard keyword research tools to organically and continuously determine the most relevant keyword phrases for your site.

Search Engine College – Keywords Research Certification: Keyword research has often been referred to as the most crucialaspect of a successful search engine marketing campaign. Unless you know how to effectively research and integrate your target keywords, you are not going to attract relevant traffic to your site. The certification course from SEC will show you how to accomplish this in the fastest and most effective way possible.


Symetri Internet Marketing offers a 4 hour training session, attendees will explore the tools available for identifying, researching and zeroing in on the right keywords for your SEO or PPC campaign. They will walk through the process in theory first and then work on a real world example that leverages the latest tools available. Training is available throughout the year during certain dates.

Google Adwords – Adwords Training: Google provides a Google Adwords learning center that contains all the information you’ll need in order to pass the New AdWords Certification Program Exams. Being certified for Google Adwords means you have all the necessary skills to move your website forward at full speed, bringing high traffic. Simply put, mastering Google Adwords greatly contribute to the optimization of your website.

Tweets About Keyword Research

Featured Blog Posts on Keyword Research

  • Which Keyword Research Service? & Does It Really Matter?
    Ok, as I said in an earlier post, I’m going to test a keyword research service. Why? ‘coz I can’t find decent keywords to save my life. So hopefully this might help. I have no problems setting up webpages and affiliate links and I’m pretty good at tracking my traffic and sales. But lord do I suck [...]
  • Keyword Research – Just How Hard Can It Be?
    Find out whether keyword research services a up to scratch. I'm about to embark on test using one of these services.

News on Keyword Research

  • Research and Markets: Keyword Intelligence: Keyword Research for Search … – Bradenton Herald
    Research and Markets: Keyword Intelligence: Keyword Research for Search …Bradenton HeraldKeyword research can make or break a marketing campaign, an optimization strategy, and pay-per-click ad campaigns. Written by a keyword research expert, this essential resource drills home the importance of targeting the right keywords or phrases in …and more »
  • Expand Your Service Department's Online Exposure – Dealer Marketing Magazine
    Expand Your Service Department's Online ExposureDealer Marketing MagazineVideo SEO is accomplished by producing multiple unique videos about the products and services you sell, optimizing (properly keyword-tagging) each video to show up for first-page organic keyword search queries, distributing these videos to multiple …Tapping Into Google's Algorithm for Searcher IntentClickZall 6 news articles »
  • Net Savings Link Announces SpyderShare Inc. Contract for Development of Search … – MarketWatch (press release)
    Net Savings Link Announces SpyderShare Inc. Contract for Development of Search …MarketWatch (press release)SpyderShare analyzes your site, design and coding from start to finish to ensure that proper industry standards and user scalability are in place for growth including on page optimization, keyword research, directory submissions, social bookmarking, …and more »
  • The Keyword Research Rabbit Hole – Search Engine Land
    Search Engine LandThe Keyword Research Rabbit HoleSearch Engine LandA few weeks ago, I wrote about how to use your first meeting with a client to understand their business and collect information that could later inform your keyword research. Now, you're back at your desk and wondering what to do with all that …and more »
  • Be Careful Using AdWords for Keyword Research – SEOmoz (blog)
    SEOmoz (blog)Be Careful Using AdWords for Keyword ResearchSEOmoz (blog)Now I'd love to hear from you – what are your experiences around keyword research in AdWords? Are you seeing the same thing we are? You can share your thoughts in the comments and/or use the poll below (from a new service called Quipol that has some …5 Edgy Paid Search Techniques… and New Ad Units Coming in 2012Traffick (blog)all 6 news articles »

For More Information on Keyword Research Services

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