{"id":174658,"date":"2024-05-09T05:36:58","date_gmt":"2024-05-09T10:36:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/?p=174658"},"modified":"2024-12-03T11:23:35","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T16:23:35","slug":"how-to-use-keywords-for-seo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/how-to-use-keywords-for-seo\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use Keywords for SEO: The Complete Beginner\u2019s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"intro-txt\">In this guide, I\u2019ll cover in detail how to make the best use of keywords in three&nbsp;steps:<\/div>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Finding good keywords<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/how-to-choose-keywords-for-seo\/\">how to select SEO keywords<\/a> that are rankable and bring value to your&nbsp;site.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Using keywords in content and meta tags<\/strong>: how to use the target keyword to structure and write content that will satisfy readers and send relevance signals to search engines.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tracking keywords: <\/strong>monitoring your (and your competitors\u2019) performance.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s really a lot you can do with just a single keyword, so at the end of the article, you\u2019ll find a few advanced SEO&nbsp;tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"intro-tok\" id=\"intro_tok\" style=\"display:none;\"><div class=\"intro-title\">Contents<\/div><a href=\"#\" class=\"expand-dots\"><span><\/span><span><\/span><span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" style><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\" \/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style \/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"How to find good keywords and build a keyword list\" data-section=\"how-to-find-keywords\">\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-174658-_yey8kxpsjqye\"><\/a>How to find good keywords and build a keyword list<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you know how to find one good keyword, you will be able to create an entire list of keywords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-174658-_woyv22vyijh2\"><\/a>1. Pick relevant seed keywords to generate keyword ideas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Seed keywords are words or phrases that you can use as the starting point in a <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/seo\/keyword-research\" data-ahr=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/keyword-research\/\">keyword research<\/a> process to unlock more keywords. For example, for our site, these could be general terms like \u201cseo, organic traffic, digital marketing, keywords, backlinks\u201d, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many good sources of seed keywords, and it\u2019s not a bad idea to try them&nbsp;all:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Brainstorming<\/strong>. This involves gathering a team or working solo to think deeply about the terms your potential customers might use when searching for your products or services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Your competitors\u2019 website navigation<\/strong>. The labels they use in their navigation menus, headers, and footers often highlight critical industry terms and popular products or services that you might also want to target.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Your competitors\u2019 keywords<\/strong>. Tools like Ahrefs can help you discover which keywords your competitors are targeting in their SEO and paid ad campaigns. I\u2019ll cover that in a&nbsp;bit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Your website and promo materials<\/strong>. Review your website\u2019s text, especially high-performing pages, as well as any promotional materials like brochures, ads, and press releases. These sources can reveal the terms that already resonate with your audience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Generative AI<\/strong>. AI tools can generate keyword ideas based on brief descriptions of your business, products, or industry (example below).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s what you can ask any generative AI for, whether that\u2019s Copilot, ChatGPT, Perplexity, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"990\" class=\"wp-image-174659\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/using-ai-to-generate-seed-keywords-for-keyword-res.png\" alt=\"Using AI to generate seed keywords for keyword research.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/using-ai-to-generate-seed-keywords-for-keyword-res.png 1280w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/using-ai-to-generate-seed-keywords-for-keyword-res-549x425.png 549w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/using-ai-to-generate-seed-keywords-for-keyword-res-768x594.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, paste your seed keywords into a tool like <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/keywords-explorer\">Ahrefs\u2019 Keywords Explorer<\/a> to generate keyword ideas. If you\u2019re using Ahrefs, you can go straight into Keywords Explorer, get AI suggestions there, and start researching right&nbsp;away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1564\" height=\"1046\" class=\"wp-image-174660\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/using-keyword-explorers-ai-feature-to-generate-ke.png\" alt=\"Using Keyword Explorer's AI feature to generate keyword ideas.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/using-keyword-explorers-ai-feature-to-generate-ke.png 1564w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/using-keyword-explorers-ai-feature-to-generate-ke-635x425.png 635w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/using-keyword-explorers-ai-feature-to-generate-ke-768x514.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/using-keyword-explorers-ai-feature-to-generate-ke-1536x1027.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1564px) 100vw, 1564px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, make sure you\u2019ve set up the country in which you\u2019ll want to rank and hit \u201cSearch\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1562\" height=\"434\" class=\"wp-image-174661\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/word-image-174658-3.png\" alt srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/word-image-174658-3.png 1562w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/word-image-174658-3-680x189.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/word-image-174658-3-768x213.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/word-image-174658-3-1536x427.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1562px) 100vw, 1562px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After hitting the \u201cSearch\u201d button, go to the <strong>Matching terms<\/strong> report. You will see a big list of keywords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2032\" height=\"1302\" class=\"wp-image-174662\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/matching-terms-report-in-ahrefs-.jpg\" alt=\"Matching terms report in Ahrefs.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/matching-terms-report-in-ahrefs-.jpg 2032w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/matching-terms-report-in-ahrefs--663x425.jpg 663w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/matching-terms-report-in-ahrefs--260x166.jpg 260w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/matching-terms-report-in-ahrefs--768x492.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/matching-terms-report-in-ahrefs--1536x984.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2032px) 100vw, 2032px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The list you\u2019ll get will be quite raw \u2014 not all keywords will be equally good and the list will likely be too big to manage. Next steps are all about refining the list because we\u2019ll be looking for <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/how-many-seo-keywords\/\"><strong>target keywords<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 the keywords that will become the topic of your content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"further-reading\"><div class=\"reading-title\">Further reading<\/div><div class=\"reading-content\">\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/seed-keywords\/\">Seed Keywords: What Are They &amp; 7 Actionable Ways to Find&nbsp;Them<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-174658-_125ninvezro7\"><\/a>2. Refine the list and cluster<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The next step is to refine your list using filters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some useful basic filters are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>KD (<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/seo\/glossary\/keyword-difficulty\"><strong>Keyword Difficulty<\/strong><\/a><strong>)<\/strong>: how difficult it would be to rank on the first page of Google for a given keyword.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Traffic potential<\/strong>: traffic you can get for ranking #1 for that keyword and other relevant keywords (based on the page that currently ranks #1).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lowest DR (<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/help.ahrefs.com\/en\/articles\/1409408-what-is-domain-rating-dr\"><strong>Domain Rating<\/strong><\/a><strong>)<\/strong>: plug in the DR of your site to see keywords where another site with the same DR already ranks in the top 10. In other words, it helps to find \u201crankable\u201d keywords.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Target<\/strong>: one of the main use cases is excluding keywords you already rank&nbsp;for.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Include\/Exclude: <\/strong>see keywords that contain specific words to increase relevancy\/hide keywords with irrelevant words.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, here\u2019s how to find potentially rankable keywords with traffic potential above 300 monthly visits. Go to the <strong>Matching terms<\/strong> report in Keywords Explorer and set filters: <strong>keyword difficulty filter (KD)<\/strong> to your site\u2019s Domain Rating, <strong>Traffic potential,<\/strong> and <strong>Volume<\/strong> filters to a minimum of&nbsp;300.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1992\" height=\"1102\" class=\"wp-image-174663\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/using-filters-to-find-the-best-keywords-.jpg\" alt=\"Using filters to find the best keywords.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/using-filters-to-find-the-best-keywords-.jpg 1992w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/using-filters-to-find-the-best-keywords--680x376.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/using-filters-to-find-the-best-keywords--768x425.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/using-filters-to-find-the-best-keywords--1536x850.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1992px) 100vw, 1992px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/keyword-clustering\/\">Clustering<\/a> is another step to refine your list. It shows you if there is another keyword you could target to get more traffic (aka parent topic). At the same time, it shows which keywords most likely belong on the same&nbsp;page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, here are some clusters distilled from low-competition topics about marketing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1676\" height=\"1260\" class=\"wp-image-174664\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/clustering-keywords-by-parent-topic-.jpg\" alt=\"Clustering keywords by parent topic. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/clustering-keywords-by-parent-topic-.jpg 1676w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/clustering-keywords-by-parent-topic--565x425.jpg 565w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/clustering-keywords-by-parent-topic--768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/clustering-keywords-by-parent-topic--1536x1155.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1676px) 100vw, 1676px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"recommendation\"><div class=\"recommendation-title\">Pro tip<\/div><div class=\"recommendation-content\">\n\n\n\n<p>Take keyword trends into account when choosing keywords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, the keyword \u201cis affiliate marketing legit\u201d is at 8.8k monthly search volume right now, but based on our forecast in Keywords Explorer (the orange part of the chart), if it continues its current growth rate it should be more than triple next&nbsp;year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1212\" height=\"868\" class=\"wp-image-174665\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/keyword-forecasting-feature-.png\" alt=\"Keyword forecasting feature. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/keyword-forecasting-feature-.png 1212w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/keyword-forecasting-feature--593x425.png 593w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/keyword-forecasting-feature--768x550.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1212px) 100vw, 1212px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The graphs will also show you if the search volume is affected by seasonality (fluctuations in search volume throughout different times of the&nbsp;year).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1226\" height=\"882\" class=\"wp-image-174666\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/identifying-keyword-seasonality-on-a-search-volume.png\" alt=\"Identifying keyword seasonality on a search volume graph.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/identifying-keyword-seasonality-on-a-search-volume.png 1226w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/identifying-keyword-seasonality-on-a-search-volume-591x425.png 591w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/identifying-keyword-seasonality-on-a-search-volume-768x553.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1226px) 100vw, 1226px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><a id=\"post-174658-_x54m5pza85s2\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Identify search intent and determine value for your&nbsp;site<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Before investing time in content, make sure you can give searchers what they want and that the keywords will attract the right kind of audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To identify the type of page you need to create to satisfy searchers, look at the top-ranking pages to see what purpose they serve (are they more informational or commercial), or simply use the <strong>Identify intents<\/strong> AI feature in Keywords Explorer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1065\" class=\"wp-image-174667\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/identify-intents-ai-feature-in-ahrefs-.png\" alt=\"Identify intents AI feature in Ahrefs.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/identify-intents-ai-feature-in-ahrefs-.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/identify-intents-ai-feature-in-ahrefs--680x354.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/identify-intents-ai-feature-in-ahrefs--768x399.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/identify-intents-ai-feature-in-ahrefs--1536x799.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>So, for example, if the top-ranking pages are ecommerce pages and you\u2019re not offering products on your site, it\u2019s going to be very hard to&nbsp;rank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, ask yourself if visitors attracted by a keyword will be valuable to your business \u2014 whether they\u2019re likely to subscribe to your newsletter or make a purchase. At Ahrefs, we use a business potential score to evaluate this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1228\" class=\"wp-image-174668\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/business-potential-score-.png\" alt=\"Business potential score. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/business-potential-score-.png 1600w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/business-potential-score--554x425.png 554w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/business-potential-score--768x589.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/business-potential-score--1536x1179.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, if a keyword checks all boxes, add it to a keyword list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1338\" height=\"862\" class=\"wp-image-174669\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/adding-a-keyword-to-a-list-in-ahrefs-.png\" alt=\"Adding a keyword to a list in Ahrefs.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/adding-a-keyword-to-a-list-in-ahrefs-.png 1338w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/adding-a-keyword-to-a-list-in-ahrefs--660x425.png 660w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/adding-a-keyword-to-a-list-in-ahrefs--768x495.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1338px) 100vw, 1338px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Now you\u2019ve got a list of relevant, valuable <strong>target keywords<\/strong> with traffic potential ready for content creation. You can repeat the process as many times as you like with different seed keywords or different filters and find new&nbsp;ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s one more great source of keywords \u2014 competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-174658-_r539ond9i4kb\"><\/a>5. Enrich the list with your competitors\u2019 keywords<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In this step, we\u2019ll do a <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/content-gap-analysis\/\">content gap analysis<\/a> to find keywords your competitors already rank for, but you don\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, let\u2019s find your competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enter your domain in <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/site-explorer\"><strong>Site Explorer<\/strong><\/a> and go to the <strong>Organic competitors<\/strong> report.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select the most relevant competitors and click on <strong>Copy <\/strong>(this copies URLs \u2014 we\u2019ll use them in another tool).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1852\" height=\"1112\" class=\"wp-image-174670\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/organic-competitors-report-in-ahrefs-.jpg\" alt=\"Organic competitors report in Ahrefs.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/organic-competitors-report-in-ahrefs-.jpg 1852w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/organic-competitors-report-in-ahrefs--680x408.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/organic-competitors-report-in-ahrefs--768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/organic-competitors-report-in-ahrefs--1536x922.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1852px) 100vw, 1852px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, we\u2019ll see which keywords you\u2019re missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Go to <strong>Competitive Analysis<\/strong> tool, paste the previously copied URLs, enter your domain on top and hit <strong>Show keyword opportunities<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1646\" height=\"986\" class=\"wp-image-174671\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/competitive-analysis-tool-in-ahrefs-.png\" alt=\"Competitive analysis tool in Ahrefs.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/competitive-analysis-tool-in-ahrefs-.png 1646w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/competitive-analysis-tool-in-ahrefs--680x407.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/competitive-analysis-tool-in-ahrefs--768x460.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/competitive-analysis-tool-in-ahrefs--1536x920.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1646px) 100vw, 1646px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the <strong>Content gap<\/strong> report, use filters to refine the report.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select keywords and add them to your&nbsp;list.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1892\" height=\"1398\" class=\"wp-image-174672\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/content-gap-report-in-ahrefs-.jpg\" alt=\"Content gap report in Ahrefs.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/content-gap-report-in-ahrefs-.jpg 1892w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/content-gap-report-in-ahrefs--575x425.jpg 575w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/content-gap-report-in-ahrefs--768x567.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/content-gap-report-in-ahrefs--1536x1135.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1892px) 100vw, 1892px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"recommendation\"><div class=\"recommendation-title\">Pro tip<\/div><div class=\"recommendation-content\">\n\n\n\n<p>If you stumble across two similar keywords there\u2019s an easy way to determine if they belong on the same&nbsp;page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enter the keyword in Keywords Explorer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scroll to <strong>SERP overview<\/strong>, click <strong>Compare with<\/strong>, and enter the keyword to compare with.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1700\" height=\"628\" class=\"wp-image-174673\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/serp-overview-feature-in-ahrefs-.png\" alt=\"SERP overview feature in Ahrefs.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/serp-overview-feature-in-ahrefs-.png 1700w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/serp-overview-feature-in-ahrefs--680x251.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/serp-overview-feature-in-ahrefs--768x284.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/serp-overview-feature-in-ahrefs--1536x567.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1700px) 100vw, 1700px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fewer common results and low SERP (Search Engine Result Page) similarity mean separate pages should target the two keywords.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"680\" class=\"wp-image-174674\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/serp-overview-feature-in-ahrefs-showing-serp-simil.jpg\" alt=\"SERP overview feature in Ahrefs showing SERP similarity score. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/serp-overview-feature-in-ahrefs-showing-serp-simil.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/serp-overview-feature-in-ahrefs-showing-serp-simil-680x226.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/serp-overview-feature-in-ahrefs-showing-serp-simil-768x255.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/serp-overview-feature-in-ahrefs-showing-serp-simil-1536x510.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" style><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\" \/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style \/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"How to use keywords in content and meta tags\" data-section=\"how-to-use-keywords-in-content\"><a id=\"post-174658-_7nci25pmf5te\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to use keywords in content and meta&nbsp;tags<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have your target keyword, you can include it in relevant places in your on-page content, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Key elements of search intent (content type, format, and&nbsp;angle).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>URL slug.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Title and&nbsp;H1.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Meta description.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subheadings (H2 -&nbsp;H6).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Main content.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Anchor text for&nbsp;links.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And, just so we\u2019re on the same page, the target keyword is the topic of the content and the main keyword you\u2019ll be optimizing for and tracking later&nbsp;on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-174658-_vyy54q98r5ir\"><\/a>Use the target keyword to determine the search intent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Search intent is the reason behind the search. Understanding it tells you what users are looking for and what you need to deliver in your content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To identify search intent, look at the top-ranking results for your target keyword on Google and identify the three Cs of search intent:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Content type<\/strong> \u2013 What is the dominating type of content? Is it a blog post, product page, video, or something else? If you\u2019ve done that during the keyword research phase (highly recommended), only two elements to&nbsp;go.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Content format<\/strong> \u2013 Some common formats include how-to guides, list posts, reviews, comparisons, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Content angle<\/strong> \u2013 The unique selling point of the top-ranking points, e.g., \u201cbest,\u201d \u201ccheapest,\u201d \u201cfor beginners,\u201d etc. Provides insight into what searchers value in a particular search.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, most top-ranking pages for \u201cavocado seed\u201d are blog posts serving as how-to guides for planting the seed. The use of easy and simple angles indicates that searchers are beginners looking for straightforward advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1428\" height=\"1406\" class=\"wp-image-174675\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/dominating-intent-on-a-serp.jpeg\" alt=\"Dominating intent on a SERP\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/dominating-intent-on-a-serp.jpeg 1428w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/dominating-intent-on-a-serp-432x425.jpeg 432w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/dominating-intent-on-a-serp-768x756.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1428px) 100vw, 1428px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"further-reading\"><div class=\"reading-title\">Further reading<\/div><div class=\"reading-content\">\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/search-intent\/\">Search Intent in SEO: What It Is &amp; How to Optimize for&nbsp;It<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-174658-_u8j5zv6gs65n\"><\/a>Use the target keyword in the URL&nbsp;slug<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A URL slug is the part of the URL that identifies a specific page on a website in a form readable by both users and search engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you look at the URL of the page you\u2019re on, that will be the last part, \u201chow-to-use-keywords-seo\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/how-to-use-keywords-seo<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>Google says to use words that are relevant to your content inside page URLs (<a href=\"https:\/\/developers.google.com\/search\/docs\/fundamentals\/seo-starter-guide#use-descriptive-urls\">source<\/a>). Usually, the easiest way to do that is to set your target keyword in the slug part of the&nbsp;URL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1196\" height=\"276\" class=\"wp-image-174676\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/example-of-a-user-friendly-url-slug.png\" alt=\"Example of a user-friendly URL slug\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/example-of-a-user-friendly-url-slug.png 1196w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/example-of-a-user-friendly-url-slug-680x157.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/example-of-a-user-friendly-url-slug-768x177.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1196px) 100vw, 1196px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"further-reading\"><div class=\"reading-title\">Further reading<\/div><div class=\"reading-content\">\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/seo-friendly-urls\/\">How to Create SEO-Friendly URLs (Step-by-Step)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-174658-_7kb7fh2vx6rm\"><\/a>Use the target keyword in the title and match it with the H1&nbsp;tag<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A title tag is a bit of HTML code used to specify the title of a webpage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>&lt;title&gt;How to Use Keywords for SEO: A-Z Guide For Beginners&lt;\/title&gt;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>The H1 tag is an HTML heading that\u2019s most commonly used to mark up a web page&nbsp;title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>&lt;h1&gt;How to Use Keywords for SEO: A-Z Guide For Beginners&lt;\/h1&gt;<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>Both are very important to Google and searchers. Since they both indicate what the page is about, you can just match them, like I did in this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Titles help Google understand the context of a page. What\u2019s more, even a slight improvement to your title can improve your rankings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1225\" class=\"wp-image-174677\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/higher-ranking-just-by-changing-the-title-of-a-pag.png\" alt=\"Higher ranking just by changing the title of a page. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/higher-ranking-just-by-changing-the-title-of-a-pag.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/higher-ranking-just-by-changing-the-title-of-a-pag-680x407.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/higher-ranking-just-by-changing-the-title-of-a-pag-768x459.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/higher-ranking-just-by-changing-the-title-of-a-pag-1536x919.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\">\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">My colleague Chris Haines made a small change&nbsp;in the tile and jumped 3 positions.<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Google advises focusing on creating good titles, which should be \u201cunique to the page, clear and concise, and accurately describe<em> the contents of the page<\/em>\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/developers.google.com\/search\/docs\/fundamentals\/seo-starter-guide#titles\">source<\/a>). It\u2019s hard to think of a better way to accurately describe the contents other than using the target keyword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If it makes sense for the title, aim for an exact match of the keyword. But if you need to insert a preposition or break the phrase, this won\u2019t make Google think your page is less relevant. Google understands close variations of the keyword really well, so there\u2019s no need to stuff in similar keywords, misspellings, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To illustrate, my old article on how to see keywords that Google Analytics won\u2019t show ranks #1 for many variations of the phrase in the&nbsp;title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1180\" height=\"542\" class=\"wp-image-174678\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/article-header-example-of-using-target-keyword-i.png\" alt=\"Article header - example of using target keyword in the title. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/article-header-example-of-using-target-keyword-i.png 1180w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/article-header-example-of-using-target-keyword-i-680x312.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/article-header-example-of-using-target-keyword-i-768x353.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1180px) 100vw, 1180px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"998\" class=\"wp-image-174679\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/keyword-variations-of-the-target-keyword-.jpg\" alt=\"Keyword variations of the target keyword. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/keyword-variations-of-the-target-keyword-.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/keyword-variations-of-the-target-keyword--680x331.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/keyword-variations-of-the-target-keyword--768x374.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/keyword-variations-of-the-target-keyword--1536x749.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"further-reading\"><div class=\"reading-title\">Further reading<\/div><div class=\"reading-content\">\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/title-tag-seo\/\">What Are Title Tags? How To Write Them for&nbsp;SEO<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-174658-_hby5dc4ptoof\"><\/a>Use the keyword in meta description<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>However, don\u2019t write meta descriptions solely for Google; Google rewrites them more than half of the time (<a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/meta-description-study\/\">study<\/a>) and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/ranking-factors\/meta-descriptions\/\">doesn\u2019t use them for ranking purposes<\/a>. Instead, focus on crafting meta descriptions for searchers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These descriptions appear in the SERPs, where users can read them. If your description is relevant and compelling, it can increase the likelihood of users clicking on your&nbsp;link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Including your target keyword in the meta description is usually natural. For instance, consider the description of the article mentioned earlier. Incorporating the keyword into the sentences simply provides a comprehensive way to describe the&nbsp;issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1346\" height=\"474\" class=\"wp-image-174680\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/example-of-a-meta-description-.png\" alt=\"Example of a meta description. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/example-of-a-meta-description-.png 1346w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/example-of-a-meta-description--680x239.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/example-of-a-meta-description--768x270.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1346px) 100vw, 1346px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"further-reading\"><div class=\"reading-title\">Further reading<\/div><div class=\"reading-content\">\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/meta-description\/\">How to Write the Perfect Meta Description<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-174658-_cvo5zrvdhw2p\"><\/a>Use the target keyword to find secondary keywords<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Secondary keywords are any keywords closely related to the primary keyword that you\u2019re targeting with your&nbsp;page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can find them through your primary keyword and use them as subheadings (H2 to H6 tags) and talking points throughout the content. Here\u2019s how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Go to <strong>Keywords Explorer<\/strong> and plug in your target keyword. From there, head on to the <strong>Related terms<\/strong> report and toggle between:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Also rank for:<\/strong> keywords that the top 10 ranking pages also rank&nbsp;for.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Also talk about<\/strong>: keywords frequently mention by top-ranking articles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1512\" height=\"762\" class=\"wp-image-174681\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/also-rank-for-and-also-talk-about-reports-in-ahref.png\" alt=\"Also rank for and also talk about reports in Ahrefs. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/also-rank-for-and-also-talk-about-reports-in-ahref.png 1512w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/also-rank-for-and-also-talk-about-reports-in-ahref-680x343.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/also-rank-for-and-also-talk-about-reports-in-ahref-768x387.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1512px) 100vw, 1512px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, to know <em>how<\/em> to use these keywords in your text, just manually look at the top ranking pages and see how and where they cover the keywords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, looking at one of the top articles for \u201cdigital marketing\u201d, we can see right away that some of the most important aspects are the definition, a template and importance. You can use the free <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/pl\/seo-toolbar\">SEO Toolbar<\/a> to break down the structure of any page instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1380\" height=\"1128\" class=\"wp-image-174682\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/content-structure-displayed-in-ahrefs-seo-toolbar-.png\" alt=\"Content structure displayed in Ahrefs SEO Toolbar. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/content-structure-displayed-in-ahrefs-seo-toolbar-.png 1380w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/content-structure-displayed-in-ahrefs-seo-toolbar--520x425.png 520w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/content-structure-displayed-in-ahrefs-seo-toolbar--768x628.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1380px) 100vw, 1380px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Another place you can look for inspiration is the People Also Ask Box in the SERPs. Use it to find words and subtopics that may be worth adding to the article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1384\" height=\"568\" class=\"wp-image-174683\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/people-also-ask-box-in-google-serps-.png\" alt=\"People Also Ask box in Google SERPs.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/people-also-ask-box-in-google-serps-.png 1384w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/people-also-ask-box-in-google-serps--680x279.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/people-also-ask-box-in-google-serps--768x315.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1384px) 100vw, 1384px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"recommendation\"><div class=\"recommendation-title\">Pro tip<\/div><div class=\"recommendation-content\">\n\n\n\n<p>Optimizing an existing article?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use the <strong>Content Gap<\/strong> tool to find subtopics you may be missing. The tool shows keywords that your competitors\u2019 pages rank for, and your page doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Go to Keywords Explorer and enter your target keyword.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scroll down to the <strong>SERP overview<\/strong>, select a few top pages, and click <strong>Open in Content Gap.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1250\" height=\"712\" class=\"wp-image-174684\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/accessing-content-gap-via-a-shortcut-in-keywords-e.png\" alt=\"Accessing content gap via a shortcut in Keywords Explorer. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/accessing-content-gap-via-a-shortcut-in-keywords-e.png 1250w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/accessing-content-gap-via-a-shortcut-in-keywords-e-680x387.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/accessing-content-gap-via-a-shortcut-in-keywords-e-768x437.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1250px) 100vw, 1250px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In <strong>Content Gap<\/strong>, click on <strong>Targets<\/strong> and add the page you\u2019re optimizing in the last&nbsp;field.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1252\" height=\"958\" class=\"wp-image-174685\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/content-gap-tool-in-ahrefs-site-explorer-.png\" alt=\"Content gap tool in Ahrefs Site Explorer. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/content-gap-tool-in-ahrefs-site-explorer-.png 1252w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/content-gap-tool-in-ahrefs-site-explorer--555x425.png 555w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/content-gap-tool-in-ahrefs-site-explorer--768x588.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1252px) 100vw, 1252px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><a id=\"post-174658-_3o2o0sux4rt7\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use primary and secondary keywords in the main content<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To rank high on search engines, it\u2019s important to include your keywords in your text. Even though Google is good at understanding similar words and variations, it still helps to use the specific keywords people might search for. Google explains that in their short guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search\/howsearchworks\/how-search-works\/ranking-results\/#relevance\">how search works<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"small\"><div class=\"quote-content\">\n\n\n\n<p>The most basic signal that information is relevant is when content contains the same keywords as your search query. For example, with webpages, if those keywords appear on the page, or if they appear in the headings or body of the text, the information might be more relevant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>When writing, it\u2019s important to incorporate keywords naturally. Start your content with the most relevant information that people are likely to search for. This ensures that key points are immediately visible to your readers and search engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1404\" height=\"1302\" class=\"wp-image-174686\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/close-variations-of-the-target-keyword-included-na.png\" alt=\"Close variations of the target keyword included naturally in the intro.\n\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/close-variations-of-the-target-keyword-included-na.png 1404w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/close-variations-of-the-target-keyword-included-na-458x425.png 458w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/close-variations-of-the-target-keyword-included-na-768x712.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1404px) 100vw, 1404px\">\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Close variations of the target keyword included naturally in the&nbsp;intro.<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a secondary keyword that\u2019s less critical but still relevant, consider giving it a dedicated section. This approach allows you to explore the topic in detail, rather than briefly mentioning it at the end of your content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1928\" height=\"602\" class=\"wp-image-174687\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/secondary-keywords-included-in-subheadings-.png\" alt=\"Secondary keywords included in subheadings. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/secondary-keywords-included-in-subheadings-.png 1928w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/secondary-keywords-included-in-subheadings--680x212.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/secondary-keywords-included-in-subheadings--768x240.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/secondary-keywords-included-in-subheadings--1536x480.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1928px) 100vw, 1928px\">\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Secondary keywords included in subheadings.<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>However, avoid overemphasizing the frequency of your keywords. Effective SEO involves more than just repeating keywords. If SEO were simply about keyword density, it would be straightforward, but such strategies don\u2019t lead to long-term success and can <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/over-optimization\/\">make your content feel spammy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, if \u2018content strategy\u2019 is a central theme of your discussion and you mention it only once, Google might perceive your content as incomplete. On the other hand, stuffing your article with the term \u2018content strategy\u2019 more than necessary won\u2019t outperform your competitors and could potentially lead to your site being <a href=\"https:\/\/developers.google.com\/search\/docs\/essentials\/spam-policies#keyword-stuffing\">flagged as spam<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-174658-_20huzjkx4nnj\"><\/a>Use the target keyword in link anchor text and\/or surrounding text<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The anchor text or link text is the clickable text of an HTML hyperlink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Google uses anchors to understand the page\u2019s context. There even seems to be a consensus that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/ranking-factors\/anchor-text\/\">anchor text is a ranking factor<\/a>, although, according to our study, it is likely a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/ranking-factors\/anchor-text\/\">weak one<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In situations like these, it\u2019s just best to stick with Google\u2019s advice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"small\"><div class=\"quote-content\">\n\n\n\n<p>Good anchor text is descriptive, reasonably concise, and relevant to the page that it\u2019s on and to the page it links to. It provides context for the link, and sets the expectation for your readers.&nbsp;(\u2026)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember to give context to your links: the words before and after links matter, so pay attention to the sentence as a&nbsp;whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So use the target keyword in the anchor text and or surrounding text but keep it natural \u2014 add only on pages that are related to the page you\u2019re linking to and use text that will help the readers understand where and why you\u2019re linking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1272\" height=\"238\" class=\"wp-image-174688\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/word-image-174658-30.png\" alt srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/word-image-174658-30.png 1272w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/word-image-174658-30-680x127.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/word-image-174658-30-768x144.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1272px) 100vw, 1272px\">\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">For example, on this page about \u201ccontent optimization\u201d there\u2019s a link including \u201cfeatured snippets\u201d in the anchor, which is also the target keyword of the page linked to.<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" style><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\" \/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style \/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"How to track keyword rankings (yours and competitors)\" data-section=\"how-to-track-keyword-rankings\">\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-174658-_ycuir0rjp51u\"><\/a>How to track keyword rankings (yours and competitors)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Rank tracking refers to monitoring the positions of a website\u2019s pages in search engine results for specific keywords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s pretty much an automated process; everything can be handled by a tool like <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/rank-tracker\">Ahrefs\u2019 Rank Tracker<\/a>. No need to check rankings manually and note them down in a spreadsheet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a keyword list ready, all you need to do is add that list to Rank Tracker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1542\" height=\"916\" class=\"wp-image-174689\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/adding-keywords-to-a-rank-tracking-list-.png\" alt=\"Adding keywords to a rank tracking list.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/adding-keywords-to-a-rank-tracking-list-.png 1542w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/adding-keywords-to-a-rank-tracking-list--680x404.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/adding-keywords-to-a-rank-tracking-list--768x456.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/adding-keywords-to-a-rank-tracking-list--1536x912.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1542px) 100vw, 1542px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The keywords will appear in Rank Tracker\u2019s <strong>Overview<\/strong> report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"765\" class=\"wp-image-174690\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/rank-trackers-overview-report-.png\" alt=\"Rank Tracker\u2019s Overview report. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/rank-trackers-overview-report-.png 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/rank-trackers-overview-report--680x254.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/rank-trackers-overview-report--768x287.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/rank-trackers-overview-report--1536x574.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Another way to add keywords is to hit <strong>Add keywords<\/strong> in the top right corner (best for adding single keywords or importing a list from a document).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"992\" height=\"262\" class=\"wp-image-174691\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/adding-single-keywords-or-keywords-from-a-list-.png\" alt=\"Adding single keywords or keywords from a list.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/adding-single-keywords-or-keywords-from-a-list-.png 992w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/adding-single-keywords-or-keywords-from-a-list--680x180.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/adding-single-keywords-or-keywords-from-a-list--768x203.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 992px) 100vw, 992px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Now to compare your performance against competitors, just go to the <strong>Competitors report<\/strong>. The metric I recommend tracking is <strong>SOV <\/strong>(<a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/share-of-voice\/\">Share of Voice<\/a>). It shows how many clicks go to your pages compared to competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1902\" height=\"1006\" class=\"wp-image-174692\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/share-of-voice-metric-in-ahrefs-.png\" alt=\"Share of Voice metric in Ahrefs. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/share-of-voice-metric-in-ahrefs-.png 1902w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/share-of-voice-metric-in-ahrefs--680x360.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/share-of-voice-metric-in-ahrefs--768x406.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/share-of-voice-metric-in-ahrefs--1536x812.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1902px) 100vw, 1902px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the key advantages of SOV is that it accounts for fluctuations in search volume trends. Therefore, if you notice a decrease in traffic but maintain a high SOV, it indicates that the drop is due to a decrease in the overall popularity of the keywords, not a decline in your SEO effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But not only can you track your competitors\u2019 keywords rankings, you can also monitor your competitors\u2019 overall keyword activity. Use a tool like Ahrefs Alerts to get notifications whenever your competitors started working for a new keyword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just to go <strong>Alerts<\/strong> tool and fill in the details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1182\" height=\"804\" class=\"wp-image-174693\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/alerts-feature-in-ahrefs-.png\" alt=\"Alerts feature in Ahrefs. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/alerts-feature-in-ahrefs-.png 1182w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/alerts-feature-in-ahrefs--625x425.png 625w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/alerts-feature-in-ahrefs--768x522.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1182px) 100vw, 1182px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" style><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\" \/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style \/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><div class=\"link-text\" data-anchor=\"Advanced keyword tips\" data-section=\"keyword-tips\"><a id=\"post-174658-_vearsgqfou4e\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advanced tips for using keywords for&nbsp;SEO<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s even more you can do with keywords and a bit more you should know to avoid some common mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-174658-_n74bj96bvljg\"><\/a>1. Use keywords to find guest blogging opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Guest blogging is the practice of writing and publishing a blog post on another person or company\u2019s website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s one of the most popular <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/seo\/link-building\" data-ahr=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/link-building\/\">link building<\/a> tactics with a few other benefits like exposure to a new, targeted audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s how to find relevant, high-quality sites to&nbsp;pitch:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Go to <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/content-explorer\"><strong>Content Explorer<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enter a broad keyword or phrase related to your&nbsp;niche.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select In title from the drop-down menu.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Run the search.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1670\" height=\"1052\" class=\"wp-image-174694\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/finding-guest-post-opportunities-using-ahrefs-con.png\" alt=\"Finding guest post opportunities using Ahrefs' Content Explorer\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/finding-guest-post-opportunities-using-ahrefs-con.png 1670w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/finding-guest-post-opportunities-using-ahrefs-con-675x425.png 675w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/finding-guest-post-opportunities-using-ahrefs-con-768x484.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/finding-guest-post-opportunities-using-ahrefs-con-1536x968.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1670px) 100vw, 1670px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, refine the list by applying these filters:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Domain Rating (DR) <\/strong>from 30 to&nbsp;60.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click the <strong>One page <\/strong>per domain filter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click the <strong>Exclude<\/strong> homepages filter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click the <strong>Exclude<\/strong> subdomains filter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1976\" height=\"1012\" class=\"wp-image-174695\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/narrowing-down-content-explorers-results-using-fi.jpeg\" alt=\"Narrowing down Content Explorer's results using filters\n\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/narrowing-down-content-explorers-results-using-fi.jpeg 1976w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/narrowing-down-content-explorers-results-using-fi-680x348.jpeg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/narrowing-down-content-explorers-results-using-fi-768x393.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/narrowing-down-content-explorers-results-using-fi-1536x787.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1976px) 100vw, 1976px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, click on the <strong>Websites<\/strong> tab to see potential websites you could guest blog&nbsp;for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"874\" height=\"670\" class=\"wp-image-174696\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/using-the-websites-tab-to-find-the-best-guest-bl.png\" alt=\"Using the &quot;Websites&quot; tab to find the best guest blogging opportunities.\n\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/using-the-websites-tab-to-find-the-best-guest-bl.png 874w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/using-the-websites-tab-to-find-the-best-guest-bl-554x425.png 554w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/using-the-websites-tab-to-find-the-best-guest-bl-768x589.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 874px) 100vw, 874px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"further-reading\"><div class=\"reading-title\">Further reading<\/div><div class=\"reading-content\">\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/guest-blogging\/\">Guest Blogging for SEO: Everything You Need to&nbsp;Know<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-174658-_14tzlauxkt80\"><\/a>2. Use keywords to find internal link opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/internal-links-for-seo\/\">Internal links<\/a> take visitors from one page to another on your website. Their main purpose is to help visitors easily navigate your website, but they can also help boost SEO by aiding the flow of <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/seo\/glossary\/link-equity\">link equity<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finding new internal link opportunities is also a time-consuming process if done manually, but you can identify them in bulk using <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/site-audit\">Ahrefs\u2019 Site Audit<\/a>. The tool takes the top 10 keywords (by traffic) for each crawled page, then looks for mentions of those on your other crawled pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Click on the Internal link opportunities report in <strong>Site Audit<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1596\" height=\"1076\" class=\"wp-image-174697\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/internal-link-opportunities-tool-in-ahrefs-.png\" alt=\"Internal link opportunities tool in Ahrefs.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/internal-link-opportunities-tool-in-ahrefs-.png 1596w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/internal-link-opportunities-tool-in-ahrefs--630x425.png 630w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/internal-link-opportunities-tool-in-ahrefs--768x518.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/internal-link-opportunities-tool-in-ahrefs--1536x1036.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1596px) 100vw, 1596px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll see a bunch of suggestions on how to improve your internal linking using new links. The tool even suggests exactly where to place the internal link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1650\" height=\"534\" class=\"wp-image-174698\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ahrefs-site-audit-showing-where-to-add-internal-l.png\" alt=\"Ahrefs' Site Audit showing where to add internal link\n\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ahrefs-site-audit-showing-where-to-add-internal-l.png 1650w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ahrefs-site-audit-showing-where-to-add-internal-l-680x220.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ahrefs-site-audit-showing-where-to-add-internal-l-768x249.png 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/ahrefs-site-audit-showing-where-to-add-internal-l-1536x497.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1650px) 100vw, 1650px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-174658-_f8q16enocoqb\"><\/a>3. Use keywords to find link building opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Link building is the process of getting other websites to link to pages on your website. Its purpose is to boost the \u201cauthority\u201d of your pages in the eyes of Google and help your pages&nbsp;rank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A good place to start is to pull up the top-ranking pages for your target keyword and research where they got their links&nbsp;from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Put your keyword into <strong>Keywords Explorer <\/strong>and scroll down to the <strong>SERP overview<\/strong>. You\u2019ll see the top-ranking pages and their number of backlinks (and linking domains).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1434\" height=\"738\" class=\"wp-image-174699\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/backlinks-to-the-top-ranking-pages-for-best-produ.png\" alt=\"Backlinks to the top-ranking pages for &quot;best productivity apps&quot;.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/backlinks-to-the-top-ranking-pages-for-best-produ.png 1434w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/backlinks-to-the-top-ranking-pages-for-best-produ-680x350.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/backlinks-to-the-top-ranking-pages-for-best-produ-768x395.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1434px) 100vw, 1434px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you click on any of the backlink numbers, you\u2019ll be redirected to a list of backlinks of a given page in <strong>Site Explorer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"958\" class=\"wp-image-174700\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/backlinks-report-in-site-explorer-.jpg\" alt=\"Backlinks report in Site Explorer.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/backlinks-report-in-site-explorer-.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/backlinks-report-in-site-explorer--680x318.jpg 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/backlinks-report-in-site-explorer--768x359.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/backlinks-report-in-site-explorer--1536x719.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>From that point, the typical process involves identifying sites with the highest potential to boost your SEO and contacting their owners if you think they\u2019d be willing to link to your content. We\u2019re covering the details of this process and everything else you need to know to <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/seo\/link-building\" data-ahr=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/link-building\/\">start with link building in this guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-174658-_1zc26so75t27\"><\/a>4. Avoid common keyword pitfalls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Four big don\u2019ts of using keywords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t use the same keyword excessively on a page<\/strong>. Repeating a keyword too frequently within a single page can lead to <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/over-optimization\/#keyword-stuffing\">keyword stuffing<\/a>, which is treated as spam by Google.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t use the same focus keyword across multiple pages<\/strong>. Each page on your website should have a unique focus keyword. Using the same keyword across multiple pages can lead to <a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/keyword-cannibalization\/\">keyword cannibalization<\/a>, where pages compete against each other in search results.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t sacrifice quality content for keyword usage<\/strong>. While keywords are essential for SEO, prioritize high-quality, informative content above all else. Don\u2019t make your content read unnatural or too long by cramming in keywords. This won\u2019t help you rank and will decrease content quality.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t use keywords just for the sake of using them. <\/strong>This means two things. First, don\u2019t target keywords not related to your website or business \u2014 this will only bring you useless traffic. Second, don\u2019t try to hit some keyword frequency goal which is often suggested by content optimization tools by just mentioning the keyword without any substance \u2014 SEO doesn\u2019t work that way anymore.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a id=\"post-174658-_hjccea8lf76t\"><\/a>Final thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This article was focused on general SEO for text-based content. For using keywords in other types of content and SEO, see these guides:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"further-reading\"><div class=\"reading-title\">Further reading<\/div><div class=\"reading-content\">\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/local-keyword-research\/\">How to do local keyword research<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/youtube-seo\/#section3\">How to do YouTube keyword research<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/long-tail-keywords\/\">How to find long tail keywords&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/find-niche-keywords\/\">How to find niche keywords&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/branded-search\/#4-how-optimize-for-branded-search\">How to find branded keywords and optimize for&nbsp;them&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/ecommerce-seo\/#keyword-research\">How to do keyword research for e-commerce sites&nbsp;<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/affiliate-keyword-research\/\">How to do keyword research for affiliate sites<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/programmatic-seo\/#how-to-get-started-with-programmatic-seo\">How to use keywords for programmatic SEO<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Got questions or comments? Find me on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/m_makosiewicz\">X<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/mateusz-makosiewicz-38154b67\/\">LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s really a lot you can do with just a single keyword, so at the end of the article, you\u2019ll find a few advanced SEO&nbsp;tips. Once you know how to find one good keyword, you will be able to create<span class=\"ellipsis\">\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\">Read more \u203a<\/div>\n<p><!-- end of .read-more --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":159,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wp_typography_post_enhancements_disabled":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[335],"tags":[],"coauthors":[412],"class_list":["post-174658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general-seo","odd"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Use Keywords for SEO: The Complete Beginner\u2019s Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How to turn keywords into traffic and rankings for your website.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, 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