Keyword

A keyword in SEO refers to the words and phrases that users type into search engines (like Google or Bing) to find information, products, or services. For SEO professionals, a keyword is also the term or phrase that a website or web page is optimized to rank for. It acts as the fundamental bridge between what people are searching for and the content you provide. Effective keyword research involves identifying high-volume, relevant keywords with manageable competition using tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Google Keyword Planner. Understanding the user's intent behind a specific keyword is paramount, as search engines prioritize content that genuinely answers a query or fulfills a need. While once focused on exact-match phrases, modern SEO emphasizes semantic relevance and topical authority around a core keyword, recognizing that users often phrase similar queries in various ways.