How to Do Keyword Research Without Wasting Hours

Let me get this clear - good keyword research isn’t about chasing the biggest, trending search terms.

It’s about figuring out what your target audience is actually typing into Google, and more importantly, finding stuff you actually stand a chance of ranking for.

I know that search volume matters. But it’s not everything. A keyword that only has 1,000 monthly searches that brings you buyers is way better than one with 10,000 that brings random traffic who bounce in 3 seconds.

And don’t sleep on long-tail keywords, known as those ultra specific phrases. What I mean by this is this: The keyword “Shoes”? Useless. But “best trail running shoes under £100”? That’s someone with a high buying intent. 

Understanding the Search Results

Before you commit to a keyword, Google it first and take a look at what’s already ranking. Are they blog posts? Product pages? Big name brands?

These results leave clues about the kind of content Google wants to show - and also who you’re up against.

If the whole of the first page is Amazon, Nike, and Wikipedia... I’d suggest you give it a hard pass and look for something more niche.

Also: don’t just copy your competitors, look for what they’ve missed. Gaps create opportunity.

Efficient Research Process

Forget obsessing over massive volume keywords. Some of the best ones are quieter, but way more targeted, less competitive, and bring people who actually convert.

Instead of writing a separate page for every keyword variation, group them together into themes. Like, one end-to-end page on “email marketing for small businesses” can cover tons of related search terms without spreading yourself thin.