Summary Information
- Understanding Search Engines
- What is a Search Engine? A software system designed to search for information on the World Wide Web.
- Popular Search Engines: Google, Bing, Yahoo!, DuckDuckGo
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Search Engines
- Basic Search Techniques
- Use Keywords: Start with the main words related to your topic.
- Phrase Search: Use quotes ("") to search for an exact phrase.
- Exclude Words: Use the minus (-) sign before a word to exclude it from the search results.
- Advanced Search Techniques
- Site-Specific Search: Use site: followed by a domain to search within a specific website.
- Related Sites: Use related: to find sites similar to a specified site.
- File Type Search: Use filetype: to search for specific file types, like PDF or DOC.
- Search Operators
- AND: Ensures both terms appear in the result.
- OR: Ensures either of the terms appear in the result.
- NOT: Excludes a term from the search.
- Evaluating Search Results
- Check the Domain: Trusted domains like .edu, .gov, or well-known organisations can be more reliable.
- Publication Date: Recent information might be more relevant for certain topics.
- Author Credentials: Check the author's qualifications and background.
- Safety and Privacy
- Use Private Browsing: This mode doesn't store your browsing history, cookies, or search queries.
- Consider Using Privacy-focused Search Engines: Such as DuckDuckGo.
- Avoid Clicking on Suspicious Links: Look for HTTPS and trusted domains.
- Using Search Tools
- Time Range: Filter results by the date of publication.
- Search by Image: Use reverse image search to find the origin of an image.
- Location-Based Search: Filter results based on a specific region or country.
- Google Search Console
- Google Developer Search
- Google Search Basics
- Use Voice Searches & Actions
- Staying Updated
- Google Alerts: Set up alerts for specific keywords to get updates.
- RSS Feeds: Subscribe to websites to get the latest content.
- SEO - Search Engine Optimisation
The video provides a comprehensive guide on keyword research, emphasising the importance of understanding search intent, analysing competition, and targeting keywords that align with a business’s goals.
Keyword Research with Ahrefs: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Access Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer:
- Start by logging into your Ahrefs account.
- Navigate to the “Keywords Explorer” tool from the dashboard.
2. Choose Your Target Market:
- Before entering your keyword, select the search engine and region you want to target (e.g., Google – United States).
3. Enter Your Seed Keyword:
- Type in a broad keyword related to your niche or topic into the search bar.
- Click on the “Search” button.
4. Analyze the Overview:
- Review the keyword difficulty, search volume, clicks, and global volume.
- Check out the keyword ideas on the right side, which will give you variations and related keywords.
5. Dive into Keyword Ideas:
- Click on “All keyword ideas” on the left sidebar.
- Here, you’ll see various tabs like “Phrase match,” “Having same terms,” “Also rank for,” and more. Explore these tabs to find a plethora of keyword ideas.
6. Filter Results:
- Use the filters above the keyword list to narrow down results based on volume, keyword difficulty, word count, etc.
- This will help you find long-tail keywords or keywords with low competition.
7. Analyze SERP (Search Engine Results Page):
- Click on the “SERP” button next to any keyword to see the top-ranking pages for that keyword.
- This will give you insights into your competition and the type of content that ranks for the keyword.
8. Check Keyword Difficulty:
- Look at the “KD” column to see the keyword difficulty score. A lower score indicates easier ranking potential.
9. Explore Content Ideas:
- Navigate to the “Content Explorer” tool in Ahrefs.
- Enter your keyword to find popular articles and content around that topic. This can inspire your content creation.
10. Analyze Your Competitors:
- Enter a competitor’s domain in the “Site Explorer” tool.
- Navigate to the “Organic keywords” section to see which keywords your competitor ranks for. This can give you ideas and gaps you might want to target.
11. Track Your Keywords:
- Add chosen keywords to Ahrefs’ “Rank Tracker” to monitor your website’s ranking progress over time.
12. Continuous Monitoring:
- Keyword research isn’t a one-time task. Regularly revisit Ahrefs to check for new keyword opportunities, monitor ranking changes, and stay updated with search trends.
13. Take Action:
- Once you’ve identified your target keywords, incorporate them into your content strategy. Create high-quality, relevant content around these keywords to improve your chances of ranking.
Final Thoughts:
Ahrefs is a powerful tool for keyword research, but the key lies in how you use the data. Always focus on user intent, create valuable content, and stay updated with search engine algorithm changes. With consistent effort and the right strategy, you can improve your website’s visibility and drive organic traffic.