Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What is a Keyword?
- Types of Keywords in SEO
- What is Keyword Research?
- Why Keyword Research is Important
- How to Do Keyword Research
- AI Keyword Research: Boost Your Strategy
- Latest SEO & AEO Trends 2025
- Case Study: Smart Keyword Strategy
- Case Study: Using Keywords in URLs
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Introduction
One more new and important concept that everyone should know today is AI-driven search intent. In the current digital era, search engines use AI to understand user intent and provide the most relevant information.
Knowing how to optimize your content for AI-based intent is becoming crucial for reaching the right audience effectively.
So, let’s start by understanding what a keyword is. After that, we will explain each topic in simple and easy-to-understand language, so everyone can follow along without any confusion.
What is a Keyword?
A keyword is the main word or phrase that people type or speak when searching on Google, YouTube, or even AI Voice Search. In simple words, it’s the term that connects your content with the audience.
Why are keywords important?
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They tell search engines and users what your content is about.
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Using the right keywords helps your content appear easily on search engines and AI platforms.
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Keywords help you target the right audience.
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With AI Voice Search, using the right keywords ensures your content is suggested accurately when users ask questions verbally.
Why is it called a “Keyword”?
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Because it is the “key” to your content.
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Keywords are the words that create a connection between your content and your audience.
Where did keywords come from?
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In the digital marketing and SEO world, search engines started using keywords to understand user search queries.
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Now, with AI and voice search, keywords have become even more crucial for visibility and reach.
Examples:
- Google: “What is SEO”
- YouTube: “Best Hindi movie”
- E-commerce: “Men’s t-shirt” or “Women’s t-shirt”
- Voice search: spoken queries like “Best smartphone under 20k”
Types of Keywords in SEO
Keywords are generally classified into four main types, each serving a different purpose. Let’s explore them one by one with examples and explanations:
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Informational Keywords
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Purpose: Used when someone wants information or to learn something.
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Why this name? Because the user’s main goal is to gather information, not to buy or take action.
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Example:
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“What is SEO?”
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“Benefits of meditation”
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“How to make chai?”
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Usage: Use these keywords to educate your audience, write blogs, tutorials, or guides.
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Transactional Keywords
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Purpose: Used when someone wants to buy or take a specific action.
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Why this name? Because the searcher is ready for a transaction — like purchasing, subscribing, or signing up.
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Example:
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“Buy iPhone 15 online”
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“Subscribe to SEO course”
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“Book flight tickets to Delhi”
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Usage: Use these to drive sales, conversions, or actions on your website or platform.
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Navigational Keywords
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Purpose: Used when someone wants to reach a specific website or page.
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Why this name? Because the searcher’s intent is to navigate directly to a brand or platform.
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Example:
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“Facebook login”
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“YouTube Studio”
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“Amazon Deals page”
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Usage: Use these keywords to help users find your brand or website easily.
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Commercial / Commercial Investigation Keywords
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Purpose: Used when someone is researching before making a purchase.
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Why this name? Because the searcher is investigating products or services before committing to a transaction.
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Example:
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“Best laptops under $500”
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“iPhone 15 vs Samsung S23”
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“Top SEO tools 2025”
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Usage: Use these keywords to attract users who are close to buying and provide comparison guides or product reviews.
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Different Keyword Lengths You Should Know
Keywords can be classified based on their length and specificity, which helps you target the right audience more effectively. Let’s break them down:
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Short-Tail Keywords
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Definition: General and short, usually 1-2 words.
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Example: “Laptop”, “Shoes”, “SEO”
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Features: High search volume, high competition, broad intent.
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Medium-Tail Keywords
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Definition: Slightly longer, usually 2-3 words.
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Example: “Best laptops 2025”, “Running shoes for men”
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Features: Moderate competition, more targeted than short-tail, good balance of traffic and conversions.
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Long-Tail Keywords
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Definition: Long and specific, usually 3+ words.
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Example: “Best budget laptops under $500 for students”, “How to make masala chai at home”
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Features: Low competition, highly targeted, higher chance of conversions.
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AI-Optimized Content (No Keywords)
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Definition: With AI-driven search, exact keywords are sometimes not necessary.
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Example: A voice search like “How to make perfect chai?” finds content that answers naturally, even if the exact keyword isn’t repeated.
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Benefit: AI understands user intent and context, making content more natural and conversational.
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What is Keyword Research?
Keyword research is the process of finding out what people are searching for online. It helps you design content according to users’ demand and search intent. Choosing the right keywords is essential for ranking and attracting the right audience.
1. How to Choose the Right Keywords
Keyword research is the foundation of any successful content strategy, whether you are a blogger, YouTuber, business owner, or creating AI-friendly content. Let’s break it down step by step:
Step 1: Understand User Intent
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Why it’s important: Google, YouTube, and AI now focus on what the user really wants, not just the keywords.
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Types of intent:
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Informational: User wants to learn (“What is SEO?”)
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Transactional: User wants to buy or take action (“Buy iPhone 15 online”)
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Navigational: User wants to reach a website (“YouTube Studio login”)
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Commercial Investigation: User is researching before buying (“Best laptops under $500”)
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Example:
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Blogger writing about “Meditation benefits” → target informational intent
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YouTuber making a video “How to install WordPress step by step” → informational intent + tutorial keywords
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E-commerce site selling shoes → target transactional keywords like “Buy running shoes online.
Step 2: What to Focus On
When choosing keywords, keep these points in mind:
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Relevance: Keyword should match your content topic.
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Search Volume: How many people are searching for it.
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Competition: How hard it is to rank for it.
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User Intent: Make sure the keyword matches what the user wants.
Avoid:
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Irrelevant keywords just for traffic
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Overstuffing keywords in content
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Very broad terms with high competition if your site/channel is new
Step 3: Tools for Keyword Research
You can use tools to find and analyze keywords:
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For Bloggers & Websites: Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, SEMrush, Ubersuggest
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For YouTubers: TubeBuddy, VidIQ, Keyword Tool (YouTube)
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For AI-Friendly Content: ChatGPT, Jasper, SurferSEO, Clearscope
Example:
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Blogger: Search “Best SEO tools 2025” in Google Keyword Planner → shows search volume, difficulty
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YouTuber: TubeBuddy → helps find tags & keywords for video ranking
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AI content: Use ChatGPT or SurferSEO to generate topic ideas and keyword suggestions
Step 4: Manual Keyword Research
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You can also do it manually:
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Type a topic in Google → check related searches at the bottom
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Check “People also ask” for questions users are searching
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For YouTube → check autocomplete suggestions
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Benefit: Understands real user intent and current trends
Example:
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Type “How to make chai” in Google → suggestions: “How to make masala chai at home”, “How to make chai with ginger” → these are potential long-tail keywords
Step 5: AI Keyword Research
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AI tools can suggest keywords, search intent, and content structure.
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Example: Ask AI → “Give me 10 blog keywords for meditation benefits targeting beginners” → AI will generate relevant and user-intent based keywords.
Key Factors to Consider
When choosing keywords, pay attention to:
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Relevance: Keyword must match your content topic
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Search Volume: Number of people searching for it
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Competition: How hard it is to rank
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User Intent: Ensure the keyword matches what the user wants
Avoid:
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Irrelevant keywords for traffic only
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Overstuffing keywords in content
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Very broad, high-competition keywords if you are a beginner
Tools for Keyword Research
You can use tools to find keywords quickly:
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Bloggers/Websites: Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, SEMrush, Ubersuggest
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YouTubers: TubeBuddy, VidIQ, Keyword Tool (YouTube)
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AI Content: ChatGPT, Jasper, SurferSEO, Clearscope
Example:
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Blogger: “Best SEO tools 2025” in Google Keyword Planner → see search volume & difficulty
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YouTuber: TubeBuddy → find video tags and keywords for ranking
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AI content: ChatGPT → generate relevant keywords and topic ideas
Manual Keyword Research
You can also do research manually:
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Type topic in Google → check related searches at the bottom
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Check “People also ask” → find common user questions
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On YouTube → use autocomplete suggestions
Example:
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Type “How to make chai” → suggestions: “How to make masala chai at home”, “How to make ginger chai” → these are long-tail keywords
AI Keyword Research
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AI tools help understand user intent and suggest relevant keywords
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Example prompt for AI:
“Give me 10 blog keywords for meditation benefits targeting beginners” → AI generates keywords ready for SEO & natural content
Why Keyword Research is Important
- Reach the Right Audience: Your content reaches people who are actually searching for it.
- Increase Traffic: Targeting relevant keywords boosts website traffic.
- Understand Competition: Identify easy vs highly competitive keywords.
How to Do Keyword Research
Step 1: Brainstorm Ideas
- Digital marketing tips
- How to do SEO
- Best social media strategies
Step 2: Use Keyword Tools
- Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, SEMrush, Ahrefs
- Check search volume & competition
Step 3: Analyze Competition
Check top-ranking pages and their targeted keywords. Compare content quality.
Step 4: Focus on Search Intent
- Informational → “What is SEO?”
- Commercial → “Best SEO tools”
- Transactional → “Buy a SEMrush subscription”
- Navigational → “SEMrush login”
Step 5: Choose the Right Keywords
Focus on high-volume & low-competition keywords. Beginners start with long-tail keywords.
Step 6: Use Keywords in Content
- Title
- Headings
- URL
- Meta description
- Body content
AI Keyword Research: Boost Your Strategy
AI Keyword Research uses Artificial Intelligence to identify the best keywords based on user intent, trends, and semantic context.
Why it matters:
- Understand user intent better
- Save time & effort
- Discover hidden opportunities (long-tail keywords)
- Stay updated with search trends
- Optimize content naturally
How to do it:
- Choose an AI tool: Ahrefs AI, SEMrush Keyword Magic Tool, Ubersuggest AI, ChatGPT
- Analyze search intent
- Generate keyword suggestions
- Check competition & difficulty
- Select high-volume, low-competition keywords
- Use them naturally in Title, Headings, URL, Meta, and Body
Example:
- Main keyword: “AI SEO Tools”
- AI suggestions: “Best AI SEO tools 2025” (Informational)
- “AI keyword research for bloggers” (Informational/How-to)
- “Buy AI SEO software” (Transactional)
Latest SEO & AEO Trends 2025
1. AI-Generated SEO Content
AI content tools are now mainstream for producing high-quality, user-focused content.
2. E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)
Google emphasizes Experience, so content should show real expertise and credibility.
3. Zero-Click Searches
Many users get answers directly on SERP without clicking links. Optimize for featured snippets and direct answers.
4. Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
With AI chatbots (ChatGPT, Perplexity), GEO focuses on visibility in AI-generated answers, different from traditional SEO.
5. Best Practices for 2025
- Conversational summaries & natural language
- Structured Data & schema markup
- Off-site authority building
- Optimize for direct answers and AI visibility
Case Study: Smart Keyword Strategy
- Focus on long-tail keywords → rank faster
- Include short keywords in long-tail → double chances
- Start with low competition + high search volume
Case Study: Using Keywords in URLs
- Include main keyword in URL → e.g., www.yoursite.com/keyword-research
- Use proper anchor tags for internal/external linking
FAQ
- Q1: What is keyword research? It’s identifying the exact words and phrases people search for online.
- Q2: Which keyword tool is best for beginners? Google Keyword Planner (free) and Ubersuggest (beginner-friendly).
- Q3: Should I only target high-volume keywords? No, beginners should focus on long-tail keywords for faster ranking.
- Q4: What is AI keyword research? Using AI tools to analyze user intent, trends, and generate optimized keyword suggestions.
Conclusion
Keyword research doesn’t just bring traffic; it helps create content people need. SEO is not instant, but with consistent research and execution, you can reach Google’s first page.
By focusing on keyword intent, natural usage, long-tail queries, AI-driven trends, and latest AEO/GEO strategies, you can:
- Reach the right audience
- Improve website traffic
- Build topic authority
Consistent research, strategic planning, and user-focused content are the keys to long-term SEO and AEO success in 2025 and beyond.
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