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All Types of Keywords in SEO: A Beginner’s Guide to Better Rankings

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Written by Aleksandar Grujoski

SEO

January 27, 2025

SEO can be tricky to master, particularly when trying to understand which keyword types affect rankings. No matter if you are just getting started or wish to revamp your strategy- having an understanding of all relevant keyword types, is vital to reaching online success in SEO.

This guide aims to educate SEO novices as well as experienced practitioners alike about different types of keywords in SEO, and their importance, as well as provide actionable tips for using them effectively to increase rankings. 

Whether you are new to SEO or simply seeking ways to refine your strategy, this article has everything covered for you!

Why Keywords Are the Foundation of SEO

Keyword optimization is at the core of every successful SEO strategy.

According to a 2024 survey of SEO professionals, 78% of them rate keyword optimization as one of three leading factors impacting rankings.

Keywords serve as an essential gateway between searchers and our content. Every time someone types in their query on Google, keywords play an integral part in helping them locate what they need. However not all keywords achieve equal results; some might generate greater traffic but might prove ineffective, while others may bring fewer searches but produce higher conversion rates.

The Basics of Keywords in SEO

Before we dive into the types of keywords, let’s establish a clear foundation. SEO, keywords are the terms we incorporate into our content to help search engines understand the subject matter of our pages. These phrases aren’t random; they should match what our audience is looking for online.

Main Types of Keywords in SEO

SEO Keywords

Keywords by User Intent

We’ve identified four primary categories of keywords based on user intent:

Informational Keywords

When people want to learn something, they use informational keywords. These queries often start with “how to,” “what is,” or “guide to.” For example, someone might search for “how to start keyword research” or “what is domain authority.” These keywords are perfect for blog posts, guides, and educational content.

These are the keywords people use when they’re looking for a specific website or brand. Think “Facebook login” or “Gmail inbox.” While they might not drive new traffic to our site, they’re crucial for brand visibility and ensuring our existing customers can find us easily.

Commercial Keywords

When users are in research mode but getting closer to making a purchase decision, they use commercial keywords. These often include terms like “best,” “top,” “review,” or “comparison.” For instance, “best AI SEO tools 2025” or “Ahrefs vs SEMrush comparison” are classic commercial keywords.

Transactional Keywords

These keywords indicate a strong intent to take action, usually to make a purchase. They often include terms like “buy,” “discount,” “for sale,” or “pricing.” For example, “buy SEO software” or “SEO consultant services pricing” are transactional keywords.

Keywords by Length

We categorize keywords into three main groups based on their length:

Short-Tail Keywords

These are broad, one or two-word phrases like “SEO” or “keyword research.” While they have high search volumes, they’re extremely competitive and often have unclear user intent.

Mid-Tail Keywords

These three to four-word phrases strike a balance between search volume and specificity. Examples include “SEO keyword research tools” or “local SEO strategy guide.”

Long-Tail Keywords

These longer, more specific phrases typically have lower search volumes tend to result in higher conversion rates. They’re usually four or more words, like “how to do keyword research for small business websites” or “best SEO tools for e-commerce beginners.”

Keywords by Branding

When it comes to brand visibility, we consider these types:

Branded Keywords

These include your company name, product names, or variations of them. They’re crucial for maintaining brand presence and capturing high-intent traffic.

Non-Branded Keywords

These are generic terms related to your products or services. They help attract new customers who might not be familiar with your brand yet.

Competitor Keywords

While we need to be careful with these, understanding and potentially targeting competitor-related searches can help us capture market share.

Special Keyword Categories

We shouldn’t overlook these important specialized keywords:

Local Keywords

For businesses serving specific geographic areas, local keywords are essential. They combine service-related terms with location information, like “SEO agency in Chicago” or “local SEO services Manhattan.”

Seasonal Keywords

These keywords have periodic spikes in search volume, these keywords go in combination with queries like “Black Friday …” or “Halloween …”, “Valentine’s Day …”, “Christmas …”, “Thanksgiving …” etc.

Voice Search Keywords

With the rise of voice assistants, these conversational, question-based keywords are becoming increasingly important. They tend to be longer and more natural-sounding than typed queries, like “How to use Chat GPT for SEO?”, “What industries need SEO the most?“, and “Is SEO dead in the age of AI?“.

Tips for Choosing the Right Keywords

We recommend following these best practices:

  1. Use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to identify valuable opportunities
  2. Analyze your competitors’ keyword strategies to find gaps and opportunities
  3. Focus on user intent rather than just search volume
  4. Build a diverse keyword portfolio that includes various types
  5. Regular monitor and update your keyword strategy as search trends evolve

Key Takeaways

Keep in mind that effective SEO doesn’t involve stuffing content full of keywords. Rather, it requires understanding user intent and providing value-added articles that match what people search for online. By including different keyword types in our strategy we can ensure both traffic growth and conversions occur simultaneously.

Start slow if you’re new to SEO; long-tail keywords tend to have less competition while still drawing qualified traffic. As your site authority increases, target more competitive terms gradually.

Did this guide help you better understand the different types of keywords in SEO? If it did, we’d greatly appreciate it if you shared it with your network! Whether it be fellow SEO practitioners, digital marketers, or business owners; knowledge shared helps our collective grow stronger. Don’t forget to bookmark this guide for future reference as you develop your keyword strategy.

If this guide has provided clarity or helped improve your SEO strategy, we’d love it if you could share and like this content. For tailored SEO services, check out our expertise at Visible SERP.

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