Local SEO Keyword Research: A Step-by-Step Guide

Local SEO keyword research is a crucial step in getting your business found online. By understanding what people are searching for in your area, you can tailor your website and online presence to meet their needs.

A good starting point is to brainstorm a list of keywords related to your business, including your business name, location, and services offered. For example, if you're a plumber in New York City, your list might include "plumber NYC", "emergency plumber Manhattan", and "plumbing services NYC."

Next, use online tools like Google Keyword Planner to get an idea of how many people are searching for these keywords. According to Google Keyword Planner, the average monthly searches for "plumber NYC" is around 2,900.

Understanding your target audience is key to effective local SEO keyword research. For instance, if your business caters to families with young children, you may want to focus on keywords related to kid-friendly services, such as "plumber for kids NYC."

For another approach, see: Google Keyword Planner Keyword Research 2021

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, but what does it actually mean? SEO is the process of optimizing your website and online presence to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Local SEO keyword research is a crucial part of SEO that helps businesses like plumbers in San Diego get more visibility online. By understanding what potential customers are searching for, businesses can optimize their pages for those keywords.

Optimizing your pages for local SEO keywords can have a significant impact on your business. You can enhance your visibility in SERPs, attract more organic traffic to your website, increase foot traffic and inquiries, and even boost sales.

For example, Anderson Plumbing ranks at the top of organic search results for the keyword "plumbers in san diego", earning an estimated 7.6K visits a month from organic search alone.

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Local keyword research is all about identifying the right words and phrases people use to search for your business. To do this, you need to break down your target search queries into three parts: your core term, the keyword modifier, and your location.

For more insights, see: How to Search Keywords Locally in Semrush

You can use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, Serpstat, Kparser, and Moz to automate the process of building long keyword lists and gathering data on search volumes and difficulty levels.

To get started, identify your core term, which is the main word or phrase that describes your business. Then, "extend" your core terms with keyword modifiers, which are words or phrases that provide more context to your core term. Finally, add your locations to create a list of relevant keywords.

Implicit local keywords don't specify a location or include a spatial term, but Google can still detect local intent. This means that users may search for something like "locksmith" without mentioning a specific location.

Google uses sophisticated algorithms to detect local intent and various ways of determining a user's location. This includes the type of business being searched, such as "bakery" or "dry cleaners", which typically indicate local search intent.

On a similar theme: Local Search Engine Optimisation

Implicit local intent can be detected through search history, which shows that a user has been searching for local businesses recently. For example, if you've been searching for "bakeries" while in a specific area, Google is more likely to assume you're looking for local results.

To find implicit local keywords, move your location modifiers from the "Include keywords" filter to the "Exclude keywords" filter, and then use advanced filters to filter keywords with local intent. Specifically, open the "Advanced filters" drop-down, click the "SERP Features" drop-down, scroll down and select "Local pack", and then click "Apply."

Here are some common types of businesses that typically indicate local search intent:

These types of businesses are often searched for in a specific geographic area, and Google can use this information to deliver local results.

To do keyword research, start by gathering intel about your keywords using tools like Keyword Manager from Semrush. This will help you prioritize the inclusion of the most lucrative ones.

You'll need to create a regular list in Keyword Manager and give it a name. Then, on the default "Table" tab, you'll see important metrics for your keywords, including search intent, search volume, trend, click potential, and keyword difficulty.

To prioritize your list, focus on search terms with transactional or commercial intent, as well as those with a healthy search volume and a moderate keyword difficulty level.

Here's a breakdown of the metrics to consider:

By analyzing these metrics, you can create a list of relevant keywords to focus on for your SEO strategy.

To extend your core terms with modifiers, you can use keyword modifiers to make your core term more specific. This makes the keyword less competitive, which can be easier to rank for.

Keyword modifiers are phrases that add more detail to your core term. For example, "Best hairdressers near me" uses the keyword modifier "near me" to make the core term "hairdressers" more specific.

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Keyword difficulty reflects the organic competitiveness of a search query. It is usually calculated based on the assumed "power" of top-ranking domains and pages.

Keyword modifiers can be used to pinpoint less competitive terms, which can be easier to rank for. By using a keyword research tool, you can filter the list by keyword difficulty to find less competitive terms.

Here are some examples of keyword modifiers:

By adding these modifiers to your core terms, you can create more specific and less competitive keywords that can help you improve your local SEO.

Local SEO keyword research is all about identifying the right keywords that your target audience is searching for in your area. You can use tools like Semrush's Keyword Magic Tool to find lots of relevant local keywords. Enter one of your solution seed keywords from step one, and add your website's URL for domain-specific insights.

To narrow down to keywords with local intent, apply filters in the Keyword Magic Tool. The quickest way to find explicit local keywords is to add your keyword location modifiers to the "Include keywords" filter. Make sure to use the "Any keywords" option, then click "Apply."

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You should review the filtered keyword list, looking for terms that make sense for your business and your local audience's specific needs. Check the Personal Keyword Difficulty ("PKD %") column to see how hard it will likely be for your specific website to rank for each keyword.

Aim for a balance of high search volume and realistic Personal Keyword Difficulty to find keywords you can feasibly rank for that will also attract enough searches to make your efforts worthwhile. You can save all the relevant keywords you found by selecting the checkboxes next to them and clicking the "+ Add to keyword list" button.

To find implicit local keywords, move your location modifiers to the "Exclude keywords" filter. Then, filter for search queries that trigger the local pack. You can do this by clicking "Advanced filters", selecting the "Any" drop-down under SERP features, checking the box next to "Local pack", and clicking "Apply."

Here are some key differences between implicit and explicit local keywords:

By understanding these differences, you can tailor your local SEO keyword research to target the most relevant keywords for your business.

You can use tools like Keyword Overview or Keyword Manager from Semrush to gather intel about your keywords and prioritize the inclusion of the most lucrative ones.

Check each individual keyword’s metrics in your target locations using the Keyword Overview tool. This will help you identify low-hanging local SEO keywords that you have the best chance to rank for in your specific location.

Prioritize your list of relevant keywords based on your goals, such as transactional or commercial intent, search volume, and click potential. For instance, you may want to prioritize search terms with transactional or commercial intent and include words in your content that have a healthy search volume but aren't too difficult to rank for.

You can use a tool like Keyword Manager from Semrush to create a regular list of your keywords and view important metrics such as search intent, search volume, trend, click potential, and keyword difficulty.

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Use this information to sort the table based on your priorities. For example, you may want to prioritize keywords with high search volume and low keyword difficulty.

Local keyword research revolves around identifying three parts of your target search queries: your core term, the keyword modifier, and your location. You can use tools to automate the process of building long keyword lists and gathering helpful data such as search volumes and difficulty levels.

Here are some key steps for local keyword research:

Getting accurate local search volumes for local keywords is hard because most SEO tools only show country-wide and global volumes. However, you can still check search volumes to know which pages to prioritize in your local SEO efforts.

On a similar theme: How to Use Google Search Console for Keyword Research

Competitor analysis is a crucial part of local SEO keyword research. It helps you understand who you're competing with online and what terms people in your area are searching for.

You can start by searching a local keyword in Google to find your biggest online competitors. For example, if you own an auto shop in Philadelphia, searching for "auto shop philadelphia" might reveal Don's Auto Repair and Philly Auto Repair as your main rivals.

Use tools like Semrush's Domain Overview to find competitors that rank for similar keywords. Enter your domain, select your country, and click "Search" to see your top competitors' domains.

To identify keywords your rivals rank for but you don't, use Semrush's Keyword Gap tool. Enter your URL and up to four competitors' URLs, and filter for explicit local intent using location keywords.

Competitor analysis also shows you untapped opportunities by revealing keywords that your competitors aren't targeting. This creates a chance for you to leverage the opportunity and potentially rank higher for those keywords since there isn't as much competition.

You can benchmark your rankings for certain keywords against your competitors to set realistic goals and track your progress. This can be done by referencing your keyword list and comparing your rankings to your competitors'.

Related reading: How to Find Trending Seo Keywords

Optimizing your Google Business Profile is crucial for local SEO. It's a dynamic snapshot of your business that enables users to gather basic information about your offerings right from the SERP.

To get your business profile to appear on the SERP, you need to optimize your Google Business Profile with relevant keywords your would-be customers are searching for. Optimizing your Google Business Profile helps to get you better local rankings and more customers.

Here's how to apply local keyword insights from your research to your Google Business Profile:

Optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP) can help you appear in local search results and attract more customers. You can optimize your GBP by including relevant keywords in your business description.

Your business description should include your target keyword naturally, just like in any other SEO-optimized content. For example, you could describe your bakery as "a bakery near South Beach Miami" to match the keyword "bakery near South Beach Miami".

You should also name your images before uploading them to your GBP. Use descriptive file names and include relevant keywords naturally. For instance, instead of naming an image "Image_123", name it "bakery near South Beach Miami" to include the keyword.

Categorize your GBP accurately by choosing category names that resemble or match your target keywords. This will help your business appear in relevant search results.

You can also use the "Updates" section of your GBP to post updates relevant to your business. Include relevant keywords in your updates to signal the Google algorithm that your profile satisfies a certain search intent.

Here's a quick checklist to optimize your GBP:

By following these tips, you can optimize your Google Business Profile and attract more customers to your business.

Manual top page checks are a crucial step in optimizing your Google Business Profile. They help you understand what top-ranking pages are doing right, and how you can apply those strategies to your own business.

To do a manual top page check, you can start by looking at the top-ranking pages for your target keyword. For example, if you're a plumber in London, you can check the top-ranking pages for "plumber London" or "plumbing services London".

You can also use tools like Ahrefs' Site Explorer to see which keywords and phrases the top-ranking pages frequently mention. This can give you valuable insights into what keywords are most relevant for your business.

The top-ranking pages for your target keyword can be a treasure trove of information. They often mention specific terms and phrases that are relevant to your business, such as certifications, accreditations, and popular brands.

For example, a top-ranking page for "boiler repair services" might mention terms like "gas safe registered", "city & guilds accredited", and "vaillant, worcester bosch, baxi". These terms can help inform potential customers and build trust in your business.

Here are some key terms to look for when doing a manual top page check:

By incorporating these terms into your Google Business Profile, you can improve your visibility and attract more customers. Remember, the goal of local SEO is to help potential customers find you when they're searching for services in your area.

Tracking your local keyword rankings is crucial to see if your local SEO efforts are paying off. You can track your Google Search rankings with Semrush’s Position Tracking tool. This tool shows where you appear in the organic results and whether you appear in the local pack.

To set up Semrush's Position Tracking tool, you need to set the "Device" to "Mobile" to track mobile rankings, set the "Location" to track rankings by searcher location, and enter your business name (exactly as it appears in the local pack) to track local pack rankings.

Here's a key metric to look for in Semrush's Position Tracking tool: the "SERP Features" column shows whether the keyword triggers a local pack, and if so, whether your business appears in it.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Semrush Local Keyword Ranking

To improve your visibility, it's essential to start with local keyword research. Local keyword research is the foundation of an effective local SEO strategy, enabling you to find and target terms that can attract nearby audiences.

You can use the Keyword Magic Tool to find valuable terms that are right for your local business. This tool helps you discover relevant keywords that can drive more web traffic, foot traffic, and sales.

Local metrics are crucial in evaluating the effectiveness of your keywords. To do this, use the Keyword Overview tool to check each individual keyword's metrics in your target locations.

Prioritize your keywords by targeting low-hanging local SEO keywords first, which are the keywords you'll have the best chance to rank for in your specific location. Use the Keyword Overview tool to check the local metrics for all your saved keywords.

If any of the data points suggest the term might not be a great fit, consider removing them from your list. This way, you can allocate your SEO resources where they have the highest potential to increase your local visibility and attract relevant traffic.

Switch from "Desktop" to "Mobile" results because many local searches are performed on mobile devices.

Here's a quick rundown of the metrics you should consider when evaluating your keywords:

By considering these metrics, you can prioritize your list of relevant keywords based on your goals.

Tracking your local keyword rankings is crucial to see if your SEO efforts are paying off. You can track your local keyword rankings in Google Search and Maps by monitoring whether you're ranking for new keywords, improving on current ones, and keeping an eye out for ranking drops.

To track your Google Search rankings, use Semrush's Position Tracking tool, which shows where you appear in the organic results and whether you appear in the local pack. Set the "Device" to "Mobile" to track mobile rankings and the "Location" to track rankings by searcher location.

You can also track local pack rankings by entering your business name exactly as it appears in the local pack. The "SERP Features" column shows whether the keyword triggers a local pack and if your business appears in it.

Ahrefs' Rank Tracker is another tool that allows you to track local keyword rankings. To set it up, go to your project, click "+ Add keywords", and choose your country from the dropdown. Then, start typing your locale (city/state/zip) in the text field and choose a locale from the dropdown.

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To track your rankings effectively, consider setting up triggers in Semrush's Position Tracking tool. Triggers alert you about important movements, such as when a keyword you rank for enters or leaves the top three search results. You can set triggers for when any of your rankings changes by a certain amount, enters or leaves a specific position, etc.

Here are the general steps to track your local keyword rankings using various tools:

* Semrush:

+ Set device to mobile

+ Set location

+ Enter business name exactly as it appears in the local pack

* Ahrefs:

+ Go to project

+ Click "+ Add keywords"

+ Choose country and locale

For your interest: When Conducting Research Online the Keyword

Local keyword research revolves around identifying three parts of your target search queries: your core term, the keyword modifier, and your location. You can use keyword research tools to automate the process of building long keyword lists and gathering helpful data such as search volumes and difficulty levels.

Popular local keyword research tools include Ahrefs, SEMrush, Serpstat, Kparser, and Moz, which offer additional features like associated keywords, questions people ask, and changes in search volume over time.

To get started, identify your core term and use keyword research tools to extend it with keyword modifiers and add your locations. Organize your relevant keywords by search intent.

You can also use the free Google Keyword Planner to search keywords by country, territory, region, or city. For a more in-depth keyword research experience, Semrush’s Keyword Magic Tool is great for finding specific keywords.

Here are some popular local keyword research tools and their features:

Remember, the more terms you insert in tools like Semrush’s Keyword Magic Tool, the wider your keyword list can get and the lower the chances of missing out on the most relevant keywords.

You can use keyword research tools to automate the process of building long keyword lists and gathering helpful data such as search volumes and difficulty levels.

Identifying your core term is the first step in local keyword research. This is the main word or phrase that people search for when looking for your business.

Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, Serpstat, Kparser, and Moz offer features such as associated keywords, questions people ask, and changes in search volume over time. This can help you spot emerging trends and act quickly to target newly popular keywords.

To organize your relevant keywords, you can categorize them by search intent. This will help you understand what people are looking for when they search for your keywords.

Here are the key steps you need for local keyword research:

To identify the right keywords for your local SEO, you need to use keyword research tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, Serpstat, Kparser, and Moz. These tools can automate the process of building long keyword lists and gathering data such as search volumes and difficulty levels.

A unique perspective: Ppc Competitor Keyword Research Tools

You can use these tools to spot emerging trends and target newly popular keywords by analyzing changes in search volume over time.

For local keyword research, you need to identify three parts of your target search queries: your core term, the keyword modifier, and your location.

Here are the key steps you need to follow:

Tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush can also offer additional features such as associated keywords and questions people ask, which can help you refine your keyword list.

Using a tool like KWFinder can help you find location-specific long tail keywords for your content.

You can use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, Serpstat, Kparser, and Moz to automate the process of building long keyword lists and gathering data such as search volumes and difficulty levels.

To identify local keywords, you need to find location-specific long tail keywords for your content. This involves brainstorming seed keywords and using tools like KWFinder to find relevant keywords for your target market.

Consider reading: Longtail Keyword Analysis

For example, if your target audience is in Los Angeles, Kansas, Berlin, France, or Adelaide, KWFinder can help you with local keyword research.

To optimize your content with keywords that resonate in specific locations, use KWFinder to find keywords that people search for in your target market. Simply start typing the location and the suggestions will appear.

You can also use Google Keyword Planner to search keywords by country, territory, region, or city. For a more in-depth keyword research experience, Semrush's Keyword Magic Tool is great for finding specific keywords.

The best way to find explicit local keywords is to add your location modifiers to the "Include keywords" filter. This will help you find terms that make sense for your business and your local audience's specific needs.

To find implicit local keywords, move your location modifiers from the "Include keywords" filter to the "Exclude keywords" filter. Then, filter keywords with local intent using advanced filters.

Here's a step-by-step guide to finding local keywords:

By following these steps and using tools like KWFinder and Semrush, you can find location-specific keywords that will help your website rank higher in search results and attract more targeted customers.

If you're targeting countries with multiple spoken languages, language can be a game changer for local SEO. You can select from 40+ languages to identify unique search volumes for a specific language in the selected location.

Belgium, for example, is a country where language is a significant factor in local SEO. Similarly, Switzerland is another country where language plays a crucial role.

To identify unique search volumes for a specific language, you can use keyword research tools that offer this feature. Some popular tools include Ahrefs, SEMrush, Serpstat, Kparser, and Moz.

Here are some popular languages that can be targeted for local SEO:

By targeting languages that are widely spoken in your target location, you can increase your chances of ranking higher in local search results.

Consistency is key in local SEO. Make sure to have consistent name, address, and phone number across all platforms and listings.

Having the right keywords is crucial for higher positions in the SERP. With the right keywords and information, you are on a good way to reach higher positions in the SERP.