Assuming you have a website, you will also have content on it. Whether you like it not, your website communicated with search engines every time you put some new content on it. This is the process for all websites. But how does a search engine know what your content is about? This comes down to the use of keywords or Search Engine Optimization (SEO) keywords. In other words, the types of keyword you use in your content inform the search engine about the content you’ve created and the value it provides. Meanwhile, by using different types of keywords in SEO, you make communication with the search engines more effectively. You can consider keywords like middlemen. They connect two different types of online users, one being the people seeking information and the other being the people providing the sought information. In that, a user types in a keyword in the search engine which in turn scours the web for websites bearing the keyword and then presents the best SEO websites on the topic to the user. The main goal of keywords is to connect the right user with the right website and thus, search engines and websites are completely dependent on SEO keyword content. So what exactly is a keyword? Keywords are usually simple words present in the content on a website. They inform search engines about having the content that the user is searching for. These words give define a brief description of the content on the website, the idea, and the topic. Besides, different types of keywords in SEO are essential for the website’s content to improve its search engine rankings. For example, consider your website is an online shop selling life jackets. In all of its varieties. To promote your products and the website, you write articles regarding life jackets. In this case “life jacket” is your keyword. Meanwhile, another person searching for life jackets is directed to your website by the search engine because your content keyword and his search keywords match. However, it must be noted that the probability of the user reaching your website is directly proportional to have accurately you have done your website SEO. Keywords are very important for the success of your website. Firstly, they are words referring to the words and phrases that people use to search for information. Secondly and more importantly, keywords inform search engines of the content on your website. Thus it is vital to design your content around the popular and frequently used keywords of your industry. This will help in boosting your website ranking on the Search Engine Result Page (SERP). By using different types of keywords for SEO, you aim to navigate users to your website after using a similar or rather, the same search term or keyword. By using the same words that the audience uses for searching you impress the audience with your accuracy. However, if you use the wrong keywords, you’ll hardly if ever get traffic to your website. This is because you are using keywords that do not match your content or the searches of your potential audience. To put it in another way, if you use the right keywords, you prosper. User wrong keywords then your bus hasn’t started, let alone leave the station. There are many ways to improve SEO but keyword research is the critical step for improving on-page SEO. Right keywords increase search visibility which leads to an increase in traffic to websites. Hence you also increase revenue. Therefore one should have an understanding of the different types of keywords in SEO before choosing the right keywords. SEO aims to get your website to the top of the SERP using the right keywords. This is achieved by using high-ranking keywords in your website content. You May Also Like Myths About SEO

7 Different Types of Keywords in SEO

There are different types of keywords SEO but here are the 7 important types of keywords in SEO.

1. Short-Tail Keywords

Generally, short-tail keywords are used by someone looking into a topic or searching for a product online. Short-tail keywords are search phrases of three words or less. For example, “left-handed guitar”, “Hibiscus” and “Top smartphone” are all short-tail keywords. This type of keyword is also known as competitive keywords, general keywords, head terms, short keywords, or broad keywords. Short-tail keywords are very broad and hence generate many results. These types of keywords are very competitive and more difficult to rank highly. They also have a low conversion rate since the result is broad and not specific. Short-tail keywords will serve you best if you simply want to drive traffic to your website, however, its competitive nature does not ensure the user scrolling down the SERP. Besides, the bounce rate of your website may increase if the content you provide is not exactly what the visitor who clicked through to your website sought. Hence, Short-tail keywords are important but do not need your absolute attention.

2. Long-Tail Keywords:

This type of keyword is more specific and targeted than short-tail keywords and the search terms contain more than three words. Good examples for Long-tail keywords are “How to update android 10”, “Best bookshop near me’ and “is helmet necessary all the time?” Long-tail keywords have a lower search volume in comparison to short-tail keywords. Thus, they are also less competitive. However, this type of keyword is more specific in result since the searcher knows what they are looking for. Long-tail keywords have a higher conversion rate since it is more towards quality than quantity. It may be noted that long-tail keywords may not drive in much traffic to the website but in most cases has higher click-through and conversion rates. Using proper long-tail keywords will improve your search ranking and consequently, website traffic.

3. Product Keywords

Keywords that best describe exactly what you sell are known as product keywords. Typically, they describe brands, colors, sizes, models, and any other relevant features of your products. For example, “Bajaj Pulsar 220F”, “Royal Blue Three Piece suit” and “Orange ice cream with roasted nuts”. Product keywords are used by visitors who are specifically looking for your product or service. These folks have usually done their research and are on the verge of purchasing your product. Thus, product keywords are very targeted and hence, bear a high conversion rate.

4. Customer-Defining Keywords

Search terms that your specific audience or customer base uses to describe themselves are called Customer-defining keywords. Such keywords describe age groups, genders, preferences, professions, and characteristics. For example, “bike for boys”, “low maintenance battery”, and “best brush for modern art”. It is necessary to have a good understanding of your customers/audience and their needs for the success of your business depends on it. Researching on how your customers define themselves lets you complement your content and keywords to their needs. Thus your content will connect with people most likely to buy your service or products. It is worth noting that the use of Customer-defining keywords is not limited to only websites selling products and can also be used by a blogger in their content for the same industry.

5. Branded Keywords

Search terms that use keywords that include the name of your business or brand are branded keywords. For example, “Ramu’s Hotel Menu”, “Raj cycles puncture shop” and “Orchid art gallery art exhibition”. Branded keywords have a high degree of user intent and are therefore very valuable. It shows that the searcher already knows about your brand and is specifically looking for it. They also have a high click-through rate. Naturally, there is very little competition for branded keywords since they are unique by their very nature and point towards a specific business. So your website must come on the top of the SERP.

6. Market-Defining Keywords

These types of keywords include search terms that describe your business or industry. Market-defining keywords are the most common keywords that searchers use for initial research on a particular issue. Thus the keywords can be very broad. For example, “small guitar”, “chocolate pudding” and “pubs”. Market-defining keywords are difficult to rank highly due to their broadness. It might be easy to include Market-defining keywords into your content for some little mileage but shouldn’t become your primary fodder.

7. Geo-Targeted Keywords

Keywords that target a specific location, such as a local area, city, state, or country are known as Geo-targeted keywords. Such keywords usually indicate the location of the searcher. “Second-hand bike Bangalore”, “Where to sell used guitar?” and “best thrift store in Mumbai” are good examples of Geo-targeted keywords. Websites promoting location-specific products or services make use of Geo-targeted keywords. It may be noted that searches using geo-tagged keywords are more likely to buy the product from the actual store. Besides, the Google algorithm splits results geographically to ensure local businesses have a chance to appear in its top SERP. You May Also Like SEO vs PPC: Which Is Better for Your Business?

Conclusion

There is no single type of keyword that is better than the others. You’ll have to experiment with different types of keywords SEO to find what works best for your website. This article explains the different types of keywords for SEO and if you are still confused, get in touch with OneCity’s talented and experienced SEO team to get the best keyword SEO results. You May Also Like What Is Keyword Cannibalization?