If you’re looking to get your website seen by more people, you must understand the basics of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). This includes understanding what types of keywords are used and how best to use them.

Generally speaking, there are three major types: head terms, body terms, and long-tail keywords. In this post, we’ll cover each type in detail so you can gain a better understanding of their importance—and hopefully improve your search engine ranking!

What Are SEO Keywords?

SEO keywords are important words and phrases that relate to the content on your website. These key phrases are used by search engines to understand what sites should appear when someone searches for terms related to the topic.

SEO keywords should be chosen carefully — they should be words and phrases people use in their day-to-day search habits, as well as words and phrases that accurately describe your site content.

Crafting effective SEO keywords can seem intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll find out how powerful targeting the right keywords can be for driving traffic to your site.

How Many Keywords To Use In SEO?

Knowing how many keywords to use in your SEO strategy helps create a more effective page ranking. Although it can be tempting to chalk up every keyword possible, researching and refining your target words strategically is essential.

Aiming for two or three main primary keywords lets you focus on one topic while reiterating the core idea in different phrases, making it easier for the page to rank. Targeting four or more keywords is often too much as there simply isn’t enough space within title and meta description tags to highlight them all properly.

Taking the time to refine your keyword strategy and create an authentic tone with concise language will help you rank higher in search results.

Types Of Keywords In SEO

Here are the types of SEO keywords:

Short Tail Keywords

Also known as generic keywords are generally made up of 1-3 words and are very broad. They have high search volumes but also high competition, so they may not be the best choice for ranking purposes.

Long Tail Keywords

These keywords are longer and contain more than three words. They tend to be more specific and are used by people who already know what they are looking for. They also have lower search volumes but can be easier to rank since the competition is less fierce.

Google Ads Keywords

Google Ads campaigns use a different set of keywords than organic SEO. They are usually more specific and focus on triggering ads based on user intent, so you need to be extra careful when choosing your keyword list for a Google Ads campaign.

Customer Defining Keywords

They are the key phrases used by customers to describe a product or service. These words can help you understand how people view your business and what they expect when searching for it.

Phrase Match Keywords

These are keywords that contain a phrase rather than just one or two words. They can help you target your audience more precisely since they are more specific than other types of keywords.

Competitor Keywords

These refer to the keywords your competitors are targeting and ranking for, so they can give you some insight into what’s working for them and what you could be doing better.

Exact Match Keywords

These keywords are the same as your target keyword and appear exactly as they were typed into the search bar. Exact-match keywords can be a great way to drive targeted traffic, but you will also have to compete with other websites targeting the same keyword.

Navigational Keywords

These keywords are often used to search for a specific website or page, such as “Facebook” or “Amazon.” They can be a good source of high-quality traffic if you have an established brand.

Informational Keywords

These keywords are used by people who are looking for information on a particular topic. They can help you target an audience that is further down the sales funnel and ready to make a purchase.

Transactional Keywords: These keywords are used by people who are looking to make a purchase, so they can be highly valuable if you’re trying to drive more sales.

Why Use SEO Keywords?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for businesses today, with search engines driving a significant portion of web traffic. At the heart of this process is keyword research, the practice of finding and prioritizing keywords that can have a marked impact on search engine performance.

Good keyword selection allows businesses to generate more organic search engine traffic, ultimately reaching more potential customers. By utilizing properly targeted keywords on websites and web pages, businesses can gain visibility in search engine results and improve their online presence.

Keyword selection is about much more than generating simple search traffic; it’s about connecting with users who are actively searching for products or services that are relevant to your business. Using SEO keywords quite simply makes it easier for potential customers to discover who you are and what you do.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many types of keywords that you need to be aware of when it comes to SEO. However, don’t let this overwhelm you. Just focus on creating quality content and choosing the right keyword for each piece of content. And always keep in mind who your target audience is. If you do these things, then you’ll be well on your way to success. To learn more about the SEO services we offer at CIPR, book a free SEO consultation with an expert.