Introduction — based on a Reddit discussion
This article synthesizes a lengthy Reddit thread on keyword research and strategy to give you a practical, step-by-step guide to creating keywords optimized for SEO. I read the discussion and distilled the consensus, noted where people disagreed, and added expert-level advice so you can move from theory to action without wading through dozens of comments.
What Redditors Mostly Agreed On
- Search intent first: Understand whether a query is informational, navigational, commercial, or transactional before targeting it.
- Use a mix of tools and manual checks: Tools provide volume and difficulty, but actual SERP analysis and competitor page reviews are essential.
- Prioritize relevance over raw volume: High-volume keywords with poor alignment to your offering perform worse than lower-volume, high-intent terms.
- Long-tail keywords matter: They’re easier to rank for and often convert better.
Where Redditors Disagreed
- Some argued for chasing high-volume, high-competition keywords to drive brand visibility; others preferred quick wins via low-difficulty, niche queries.
- There was debate about whether keyword tools’ difficulty scores are trustworthy. Many said they’re directional, not definitive.
- Opinions diverged on keyword stuffing vs. strict keyword density rules—most leaned toward natural language and user experience rather than metrics-based stuffing.
Practical, Step-by-Step Workflow to Create Keywords Optimized for SEO
Below is a pragmatic workflow combining Reddit tips and SEO best practices. Treat it as a template you can modify for your niche or campaign.
1. Start with seed ideas
- Brainstorm core topics your audience cares about (products, problems, use-cases).
- Pull queries from customer-facing teams: sales, support, and community forums (including Reddit).
2. Expand with tools
- Use Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz, Ubersuggest, or Keywords Everywhere for volume and related keywords.
- Check Google Autocomplete and “People Also Ask” for natural phrasing and question-style queries.
- Use AnswerThePublic and forums to capture long-tail and question-based queries.
3. Assess intent and map to funnel stages
- Label keywords as informational, commercial investigation, or transactional.
- Map informational queries to blog posts and transactional queries to product/landing pages.
4. Score keywords (Volume, Difficulty, Intent)
Create a simple scoring model such as:
- Volume score (1–5)
- Difficulty/competition score (1–5; lower is better)
- Intent multiplier: transactional/commercial = 2, informational = 1
Final score = (Volume / Difficulty) * Intent. This helps prioritize “keywords optimized” for impact.
5. Do SERP analysis for top contenders
- Inspect top-ranking pages for content depth, structure, headings, and use of lists or tables.
- Note SERP features: featured snippets, People Also Ask, video/carousel, local packs. These indicate what Google expects.
- Identify content gaps you can fill—data, case studies, fresh examples, or better UX.
6. Cluster and plan content
- Group related keywords into topic clusters and assign a pillar page + supporting articles.
- Avoid keyword cannibalization by ensuring each target phrase has a unique primary page.
7. Optimize the page (on-page basics)
- Use the primary target in title tag, H1, and within first 100 words naturally.
- Include related keywords and synonyms across headings and body copy.
- Use structured data where appropriate (product, FAQ, recipe, article) to enhance SERP appearance.
8. Measure and iterate
- Track rankings, impressions, clicks, and conversions in Google Search Console and an analytics platform.
- Run A/B tests on meta tags and page layouts for high-impression queries.
- Refresh content periodically to maintain rankings—especially for competitive topics.
Specific Tips from Reddit That Work in Practice
- Use Google Search Console’s “Queries” and “Pages” reports to find low-hanging fruit—pages ranking at positions 8–20 can often be nudged to top results with small updates.
- Leverage site search and community threads (Reddit, Quora) to capture authentic user phrasing you wouldn’t find with tools alone.
- Look at advertiser CPC to infer commercial value—higher CPC often signals better conversion potential.
- Don’t ignore branded vs. non-branded split. Branded searches can reveal what existing customers expect and where product messaging should improve.
- When in doubt, write the most helpful resource possible. Many Redditors reported success by creating the best, most complete answer for a query.
Common Pitfalls Mentioned on Reddit
- Relying solely on volume metrics without human validation of intent.
- Targeting too many near-identical phrases across multiple pages, causing internal competition.
- Chasing big keywords too early; not building topical authority first.
Expert Insight #1 — Advanced Prioritization: ROI-Driven Keyword Selection
Beyond raw volume and difficulty, calculate a simple ROI score for each keyword: Expected Traffic x Conversion Rate x Average Order Value / Difficulty. You don’t need exact numbers—use estimates. This allows you to prioritize keywords that actually move the business needle rather than just bringing visitors.
Example: a low-volume query with 8% conversion and high AOV can outrank a high-volume query with 0.5% conversion in terms of revenue potential.
Expert Insight #2 — Leverage Semantic and Entity-Based SEO
Modern search favors topic authority and entities over exact-match keywords. Use these methods to align with how Google understands content:
- Use related named entities (people, products, brands, concepts) naturally in content.
- Apply TF-IDF or NLP tools to identify missing semantic terms competitors are using.
- Answer specific questions and include clear definitions, structured lists, and data to improve chances for featured snippets and voice search.
Quick Checklist: Make Your Keywords Truly Optimized
- Is the intent matched to the page type?
- Does the primary page satisfy the top SERP features for that intent?
- Have you included natural variations and question forms?
- Is the content superior and more complete than what’s already ranking?
- Are internal links and structured data in place?
- Is there a plan for promotion and link acquisition?
Tools and Resources Mentioned by Redditors
- Keyword research: Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz, Ubersuggest
- Question discovery: AnswerThePublic, People Also Ask, Reddit/Quora
- SERP & on-page: Keywords Everywhere, Screaming Frog, Sitebulb
- Analytics & ranking: Google Search Console, Google Analytics, rank trackers
Final Takeaway
Creating keywords optimized for SEO is a mix of data-driven selection, intent-focused mapping, and high-quality content creation. Reddit’s discussion reaffirms best practices: prioritize intent, use tools as aids not absolutes, aim for topical authority with clusters, and continuously measure and refine. Use the step-by-step workflow above, apply the expert insights to prioritize ROI and semantic relevance, and you’ll build a keyword strategy that drives both traffic and business outcomes.
Read the full Reddit discussion here.