Let’s be
real: finding the right SEO keywords can feel like searching for a
needle in a haystack. While we know keywords are essential for ranking on
SERPs, figuring out which ones actually matter and attract your audience can be
quite overwhelming. However, if you want to ace keyword research and rank
for exactly what your target audience is searching for, Google Search Console
(GSC) can be a hidden gem. What’s even better is the tool is free and packed
with real-time insights from Google itself.
So, if you
are all set to roll up your sleeves and find keywords that will actually make
an impact, here’s a guide that walks you through how Google Search Console can
help you identify the terms that are already bringing in traffic, those that
are closing to rank higher, and the ones that could become your next top
drivers of organic growth.
Why Use Google Search Console for Keyword Research?
Most
businesses think why they should use Google Search Console specifically for keyword research when there are
popular tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz. Well, while these tools are quite
brilliant, Google Search Console is directly from Google itself, which makes it
an unbeatable source for accurate data about how people are finding your
website. In addition, it’s completely free!
GSC offers
you a wealth of real-time information on which keywords are bringing in, where
you are ranking in search results, and how often users see your pages in search
engine results (impressions). So, instead of speculating or only focusing on
keywords you hope to rank for, GSC lets you focus on data-backed keywords where
you are already gaining traction.
Setting Up Google Search Console for Keyword Research
Before you
are all set to take a plunge into the deep ocean of keywords research, let’s make sure you are set up correctly on
Google Search Console. If you haven’t already set up your GSC, here’s what you
need to do:
- Go to Google Search
Console and sign in with your Google Account.
- Add your website as a
property by entering the URL and verifying ownership using one of the
recommended methods.
- Once you are verified,
you will gain access to data, but it may take a few days to get any
important insights, so be patient.
- When you are all set,
head to the “Performance” section, and this is where the real fun begins.
Understanding the Key Metrics in Google Search Console
Before diving
into the keyword strategy itself, it’s helpful to understand some of the
primary metrics you will see in GSC and how they impact your SEO decisions:
·
Impressions: This is the number of times your website has
appeared in search results for a particular query. High impressions mean people
are seeing your pages but might not always be clicking through.
·
Clicks: The number of clicks your site received from
search results. This indicates the effectiveness of your title and meta
descriptions in attracting clicks.
·
Average Position: Your average ranking position for a query. An
average position of 1 means you are usually at the top.
·
Click-Through Rate (CTR): This percentage shows how many people clicked on
your site after seeing it in the search results. A high CTR means your result
is appealing to searchers.
These metrics
give you a snapshot of how well your pages are doing and help you decide which
keywords to focus on. High impressions but low clicks, for instance, might mean
you need to tweak your meta titles to make them more engaging.
How to Find High-Potential Keywords in Google Search Console
In case you
are want to know how to find high-potential keywords in GSC, here’s how you can do it!
·
Step 1: Open
the Performance Report
First, log in
to Google Search Console and click on the “Performance” tab. Here, you will see
an overview of your clicks, impressions, CTR, and average position. It’s a
great place to start getting a general feel for which keywords are already
working for you.
·
Step 2:
Explore the “Queries” Tab
The “Queries”
tab shows you a list of search queries that are bringing users to your site.
It’s a goldmine for finding keywords that you might not even know you are
ranking for. Here’s how to analyze it:
o
Sort by Clicks: To start, sort the data by clicks. This will show
you which keywords are already driving traffic to your site. These are usually
your most valuable keywords and should be prioritized.
o
Look for High-Impression, Low-Click Keywords: Keywords with high impressions but low clicks
could mean people see your site but aren’t clicking on it. You might need to
tweak your title and description to make your link more appealing, or even
create dedicated content to target this search query better.
o
Identify Mid-Range Position Keywords (Position
8-20): Keywords where your pages
rank between 8-20 are “low-hanging fruit” – with some optimization, you can
likely bump them up to higher positions and drive more traffic.
·
Step 3: Use
Filters to Dig Deeper
Google Search
Console’s filtering options allow you to be specific about which data you are
viewing, helping you find the most relevant keywords. Here’s how to use filters
effectively:
o
Filter by Date Range: Select a date range that represents recent data,
like the past three months. This gives you a current view of how keywords are
performing.
o
Filter by Country: If your business is focused on specific regions,
you can filter results to only see keywords relevant to your target market.
o
Filter by Device: Check how keywords perform on mobile versus
desktop. If some keywords perform better on mobile, it may indicate mobile
users’ needs differ from desktop users.
Prioritizing Keywords Based on Goals
Once you have
identified potential keywords, it’s time to prioritize them based on your
business goals:
·
Conversion Keywords: Keywords with high CTR and clicks may already be
driving conversions, so prioritize these to maintain and enhance your position.
·
Awareness Keywords: High-impression keywords that are currently not
getting many clicks can help increase brand visibility. Optimize these with
better content or on-page SEO to capture more clicks.
·
Opportunity Keywords: Keywords with a position between 8 to 20 that could
move up with some optimization can be extremely valuable. These are usually
long-tail keywords that, with targeted content updates, can move into
higher-ranking positions.
This
prioritization allows you to focus on keywords that directly impact your goals
rather than trying to optimize for every possible keyword.
Creating Content Around New Keywords
Once you have
identified keywords worth focusing on, it’s time to create or update content
that targets them:
·
Answer Searcher Intent: When creating content, ensure it matches the intent
behind each keyword. For example, if users are looking for information, write
educational, informative content; if they are ready to buy, create
product-focused or service-related content.
·
Include Keywords Naturally: Avoid stuffing keywords into your content.
Instead, use them naturally in headings, subheadings, and within the content.
GSC often helps you find long-tail keywords, which can improve the specificity
and relevance of your content.
·
Monitor Keyword Performance After Updates: Google Search Console is perfect for tracking how
your keyword optimizations are performing. Revisit your “Performance” tab
periodically to see if your updates have improved your rankings and CTR.
Conclusion
Believe us when we say this: keyword research doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. With Google Search Console, you can have the insights to understand what’s working and what needs improvement, and that too directly from Google’s data. So, partner with SEO services in India, take advantage of this free tool and experiment with different keywords while keeping an eye on your metrics.
Need more information on SEO keywords, or want an estimate on how keyword research is going to cost you? Contact the team at SEOTonic, get a free SEO Audit today!
Original Source: https://www.seotonic.com/how-to-find-the-right-seo-keywords-with-google-search-console/
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