What Is Keyword Research?

Keyword research is the process of finding the exact words and phrases potential customers type into search engines when looking for what you offer, then evaluating each term's search volume and how competitive it would be to rank for. It forms the foundation every other SEO decision builds on.

Good keyword research goes beyond volume alone, weighing buyer intent too. A keyword with modest search volume but clear buying intent, like a specific product comparison, often converts better than a high-volume but vague term that mostly attracts browsers with no immediate intent to purchase anything at all right now or later.

Finding that intent-competition balance automatically is core to how SEO software built for agencies picks keywords for every client site.