What is a Target Keyword?
A target keyword is a specific word or phrase (usually no more than 5 words, but can be longer in some cases) that you want your story to rank for in search engine result pages (SERPs). When someone searches for that word or phrase, your story will ideally appear at the top of search results.
Why is it important?
Target keywords are essential for search because they help your story become more visible to people who are searching for that information. When your story appears at the top of the search results for a particular keyword, it increases the chances that someone will click on the link to your story.
How do I choose a Target Keyword?
Choosing a Target Keyword doesn’t have to be hard. Answer the following questions and take these simple steps for choosing a Target Keyword for optimal SEO performance.
In 5 words or less, what are you writing about?
As simple as it sounds, Google your query.
What results come up?
Are the articles relevant to what you’re wanting to write about?
What questions do “People also ask” about the topic?
What are the related search queries?
Are there any other news/media covering the topic?
What is the search intent? When choosing a target keyword, think about what the user's intent might be when searching for that keyword. Are they looking for information, a specific product, or a service?
Based on your research above, choose a target keyword that best represents your content and aligns with the search intent of users.
Consider the following factors:a. Relevance: Ensure that the chosen keyword accurately reflects the topic you're writing about. It should align with the articles you found in the search results and the related search queries.
b. Search intent: Think about what users might be looking for when they search for that keyword. Are they seeking information, a specific product, or a service? Choose a target keyword that matches the user's intent.
c. Popularity: Consider the popularity of the topic based on the presence of news/media coverage and the number of related search queries. If the topic seems widely discussed or has a significant interest, it can indicate a potentially popular keyword.
Remember, the goal is to choose a target keyword that accurately represents your content, aligns with user intent, and is likely to be relevant and popular within your audience.
4. Once you have chosen a target keyword, use it strategically throughout your story, including the headline, search title, search description, subheadlines, and body copy. However, don't overuse the keyword as this can lead to keyword stuffing and can actually harm your SEO. Using the target keyword within your content should be done naturally and not forced.
By following these steps, you can choose a target keyword that is relevant, popular, and has a good chance of helping your story rank well in search engine results pages.