A Simple Guide to Improve SEO and Reach More Readers:

The world of the Internet is content-saturated. It does not matter whether you are blogging, operating a store online, or just maintaining a business site, content is a big part of reaching your audience. However, you do not just use content, and you play with the right keywords to have your content visible.

In case you do not know how to use keywords in content writing, it is all okay. This is a step-by-step guide to the process.

What are the Keywords in Content Writing?

Keywords are the words and phrases that the people input into the search engines such as Google when they are seeking information. As an illustration, when one needs to know how to bake a cake, he or she may search using the phrase easy chocolate cake recipe. That phrase is a keyword.

The appropriate keywords will make your article or page appear in the search results in a content writing in order to make it read by more persons.

Why Keywords Matter for SEO

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the art of optimization of your website, it is a process that enables your site to rank higher in search results. The keywords are essential elements of SEO. By making sure that you have the right keywords at the right place, then the search engines are able to better comprehend what your content is all about.

The advantages of proper use of keywords:

• Greater exposure in search engines
• Higher website traffic
• Better user engagement
• Higher conversion (sales, sign-ups, etc) possibilities.

How to Find the Right Keywords

You have to know what your audience is seeking out before you begin to write.

The following is how to identify the best keywords:

Use Keyword Research Tools

It has numerous free and paid tools that can aid in finding keywords.

Some popular ones include:

• Google Keyword Planner
• Ubersuggest
• Ahrefs
• SEMrush
• AnswerThePublic

Such tools demonstrate the frequency of search of this or that term and the rivalry of the keywords.

Focus on User Intent

Question to yourself: What does the user want to find when he/she searches with this keyword?

For example:

When one types in the search query for the best laptops to be used by college students, he or she is more likely to seek reviews or buying tips, rather than a list of laptops.

Choose a Mix of Keywords

There are two main types:

• One-word or two-word keywords (short-tail): laptops, marketing (competitive and broad)
• Long-tail Keywords: 3-5-word phrases such as best budget laptop to students (less competitive, more specific)

The combination of both in your content makes you attract more audiences.

Where to Use Keywords in Your Content

After identifying your keywords, the next thing would be to know where you have to put them.

These are the points where the keywords should be located:

Page Title (H1 Tag)

This is what the readers and search engines read the most. Ensure that you have your primary keyword in the title naturally.

Example:

• Good: How to Bake a Chocolate Cake: Simple Recipe to Start With.
• Beautiful: “My Chocolate Cake Adventure”

Meta Description

This is what is given in brief by your link in search results. Put your major key word here to enhance click through rates.

URL

Considerably, add keywords in the page URL.

Example:

• Good: www.example.com/bake-chocolate-cake
• Bad: www.example.com/page1?id=12345

First 100 Words

The search engines attach more attention to the start of your content. Attempt to place your key keyword early enough, but make it look like a natural phrase.

Headings and Subheadings

Where applicable use keywords in your H2s and H3s. This is used to make your content organized and to inform Google what each part entails.

Throughout the Body

You should sprinkle your keywords in the content but not in excess. Write to humans and not to the search engines.

Image Alt Text

In case you use the images, insert the alt text that contains your keywords. This enhances access and may also aid in ranking of image search.

Best Practices for Using Keywords

The keywords should not only be there but they must be used in a strategic and natural manner.

Here are some best practices:

Avoid Keyword Stuffing

The abuse of keywords is known as stuffed with keywords. It is spammy and even can damage your SEO.

Example of keyword stuffing:

• This chocolate cake recipe is the greatest chocolate cake recipe. To get a chocolate cake recipe, then use this chocolate cake recipe.
• Rather than that, write naturally and use synonyms or similar words.

Apply LSI Keywords (Latent Semantic Indexing)

These are keywords that are related to your main topic. As an illustration, the LSI keywords of digital marketing could be such aspects as SEO, social media, email campaigns, etc.

LSI keywords assist Google to interpret your contents.

Write to Your Audience First

Do not think about keywords alone, consider what your audience wants to know. Your work must be valuable, respond, and resolve issues.

Remain Natural and Naturalistic

In particular, it should be natural and direct, especially to an American audience. Do not write in a robotic or too professional manner. Make short and to the point sentences with contractions such as you’ll or they’re.

How Many Keywords Should You Use?

The number does not exist, but a decent rule of thumb is:

• 1 primary keyword per page.
• 2-4 secondary or long-tail keywords.
• Naturally use the keywords in the content.

Use them where they fit, and do not attempt to impose it.