How to Do Keyword Research for Blog Posts (Step-by-Step)
If you’re writing blog posts without keyword research, you’re leaving traffic, leads, and SEO growth on the table. Every successful blog starts with understanding what people are searching for — and writing content that answers those searches.
In this guide, you'll learn how to do keyword research for blog posts step by step, even if you're a beginner.
✅ Why Keyword Research Matters for Blogging
Drives organic traffic from Google
Ensures you write content people are searching for
Improves the chance of ranking for targeted topics
Gives content direction and focus
Without keyword research, you're guessing — and guessing rarely leads to consistent traffic.
✅ Step-by-Step: Keyword Research for Blog Posts
Step 1: Pick a Broad Topic
Start with a general idea related to your niche. Examples:
Fitness
Personal finance
Travel tips
Web development
Let’s say your topic is “budget travel.”
Step 2: Brainstorm Seed Keywords
Seed keywords are short phrases like:
“cheap flights”
“budget travel tips”
“low-cost vacations”
You can get ideas by:
Typing into Google Search and noting suggestions
Looking at Reddit, Quora, or niche forums
Exploring what competitors are writing about
Step 3: Use Keyword Research Tools
Use tools like:
Ubersuggest (Free)
Ahrefs Free Keyword Generator
Google Keyword Planner
KeywordTool.io
Search your seed keyword and look for:
Search volume (at least 100–1000/month is a good start)
Low to medium competition
Long-tail keywords (more specific, easier to rank)
Examples:
“how to travel Europe on a budget”
“budget travel tips for families”
“cheap places to visit in Asia”
Step 4: Analyze Search Intent
Make sure you understand the user's goal behind the keyword:
Informational? (Want to learn)
Transactional? (Ready to buy)
Navigational? (Looking for a brand or website)
For blog posts, informational intent is ideal.
Step 5: Spy on the Competition
Google your keyword and look at:
What types of content rank?
What headlines are they using?
Are there gaps you can fill?
Are the top-ranking pages from high-authority sites or smaller blogs?
This helps you know if you can realistically rank.
Step 6: Pick a Primary and a Few Secondary Keywords
Example:
Primary Keyword: budget travel tips
Secondary Keywords: cheap travel ideas, low-cost travel destinations, travel on a budget
Use these in your:
Title
Headings (H2/H3)
Meta description
Intro and conclusion
Image alt tags
Step 7: Create Content That’s Better Than the Rest
Your blog post must:
Match the keyword intent
Be well-structured and easy to read
Include real value — tips, data, examples
Have optimized headings, images, and links
Aim to answer the question better than anyone else.
✅ Bonus Tip: Use Google’s “People Also Ask” & “Related Searches”
These help you find subtopics or FAQs you can include in your post to increase depth and relevance.
✅ Conclusion
Effective blog writing starts with strong keyword research. Instead of guessing what to write about, use this method to find low-competition, high-value keywords that attract the right audience.
It only takes a little time but pays off with long-term traffic and SEO growth.