Keyword research is a fundamental part of SEO, helping businesses target the right search terms to attract potential customers. Semrush provides a powerful suite of keyword research tools to simplify this process. Here’s a detailed guide on how to use Semrush keyword research tools effectively, to enhance SEO and PPC strategies for your organization. Let’s begin!
Semrush Keyword Research Tools
1. Semrush Keyword Overview Tool
Keyword overview tool provides a snapshot of a keyword’s search volume, competition level, cost-per-click (CPC), and SERP features. It helps evaluate if a keyword is worth targeting.
Image Credits: Semrush
How to Use
- Go to the Semrush Dashboard and select “Keyword Overview” from the left menu.
- Enter a keyword and choose the country you want data for.
- Click “Search” to get a detailed analysis.
Review key metrics such as:
- Search Volume: How often users search for this keyword monthly.
- Keyword Difficulty (KD%): A higher score means it’s harder to rank for.
- CPC & Competitive Density: Useful for PPC campaigns.
Use this data to decide whether to target the keyword.
2. Semrush Keyword Magic Tool
Keyword Magic Tool generates a massive list of keyword variations, related terms, and long-tail keywords based on a seed keyword. It helps find low-competition, high-conversion keywords.
Image Credits: Semrush
How to Use:
- Open the Keyword Magic Tool under the “Keyword Research” section.
- Enter a broad seed keyword related to your business.
- Click “Search” to generate keyword ideas.
Use filters to refine results:
- Include/exclude words to focus on specific keyword types.
- Sort by search volume, keyword difficulty, or CPC to prioritize the best keywords.
- Filter by intent (informational, navigational, transactional, commercial) to match your goal.
Export the selected keywords to your Keyword Manager for tracking.
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3. Semrush Keyword Gap Tool
Keyword Gap Tool compares your keyword profile against competitors to find ranking opportunities. It identifies missing, shared, or unique keywords.
Image Credits: Semrush
How to Use:
- Go to the Keyword Gap Tool on the left menu.
- Enter your domain name and up to four competitors’ URLs.
- Click “Compare” to generate a competitive analysis.
Review keyword categories:
- Missing: Keywords competitors rank for, but you don’t.
- Weak: Keywords you rank for but at a lower position.
- Strong: Keywords where you rank better than competitors.
Export valuable keywords and add them to your content strategy.
4. Semrush Position Tracking Tool
Position Tracking Tool tracks your website’s ranking changes for target keywords over time. It monitors competitor rankings in the same niche.
Image Credits: Semrush
How to Use:
- Go to Position Tracking under “SEO Dashboard.”
- Click “Set Up Tracking” and enter your domain name.
- Add keywords you want to track (import from Keyword Manager or enter manually).
- Select your target location (global, national, or local).
- Review the daily updates on your keyword rankings and make strategy adjustments.
5. Semrush Topic Research Tool
Topic Research Tool finds popular content ideas, headlines, and related questions based on your keyword. It helps create SEO-friendly blog posts and landing pages.
Image Credits: Semrush
How to Use:
- Go to Topic Research under the “Content Marketing” section.
- Enter a broad topic or keyword related to your niche.
- Click “Search” to generate a list of trending subtopics.
Review:
- Popular headlines and article ideas.
- Common questions users ask (for FAQ or blog post ideas).
- Related searches to expand content coverage.
Use the insights to create engaging, keyword-rich content.
6. Semrush Organic Research Tool
Organic Research Tool shows which organic keywords drive traffic to competitor websites. It helps uncover hidden keyword opportunities.
Image Credits: Semrush
How to Use:
- Open Organic Research in the left menu.
- Enter a competitor’s domain and select a target country.
- Click “Search” to get insights.
Review:
- Top organic keywords.
- Ranking positions for each keyword.
- Keyword movement (rising vs. declining keywords).
Extract valuable keywords to improve your SEO strategy.
7. Semrush Keyword Strategy Builder
The Keyword Strategy Builder in Semrush is designed to streamline the creation of a comprehensive SEO content strategy by:
- Analyzing extensive keyword lists (up to 10,000 keywords at once).
- Generating structured content plans from seed keywords.
- Managing clustered keyword lists based on topics and search intent.
Image Credits: Semrush
How to Use:
Access the Tool
- Log in to your Semrush account.
- Navigate to the “Keyword Strategy Builder” under the “Keyword Research” section.
Create a Keyword List:
- Click on “Create list” to start a new project.
- Enter up to five seed keywords relevant to your business or content focus.
- Select the target location to tailor the keyword data to your market.
- Click “Create list” to generate a structured roadmap of topics and pages.
Review the Topical Overview:
- Once processed, the tool presents a visual representation of suggested pillar pages and subpages based on your seed keywords.
- Each cluster represents a group of keywords with similar search intent, suitable for targeting within the same page.
Analyze Keyword Clusters: Examine essential metrics for each cluster, such as:
- Search Volume: Average monthly searches for the keywords in the cluster.
- Keyword Difficulty (KD%): Indicates the competitiveness of the keywords.
- Search Intent: Understanding user intent helps in crafting relevant content.
- Prioritize topics based on potential impact and competitiveness.
Manage and Refine Keyword Lists:
- Organize keywords by adding or removing them to refine your strategy.
- Use filters to segment keywords by location, language, or SERP features.
Integrate with Other Semrush Tools:
- SEO Writing Assistant: Send keyword clusters to receive content recommendations tailored to your target keywords.
- Position Tracking: Monitor the performance of your targeted keywords over time, allowing for ongoing optimization.
Implement Your Content Strategy:
- Content Creation: Develop content based on the structured plan, ensuring each piece aligns with the identified keyword clusters and search intents.
- Internal Linking: Utilize the hierarchical structure of pillar pages and subpages to establish a robust internal linking framework, enhancing site navigation and SEO performance.
Incorporating Semrush’s comprehensive suite of keyword research tools empowers businesses to develop data-driven SEO strategies. By leveraging these tools, you can identify high-value keywords, analyze competition, monitor performance, and create targeted content, ultimately enhancing your website’s visibility and driving sustainable organic growth.
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- Comprehensive SEO Tools: Conduct in-depth keyword research, analyze competitors, and perform site audits to enhance your search engine rankings.
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With ZNetLive, you gain access to Semrush’s powerful features, backed by our dedicated support and expertise. Take control of your digital marketing strategy today.
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