In today's digital wave, Google SEO (Search Engine Optimization) plays an indispensable role for websites to stand out in the fiercely competitive online world. Among the many key aspects of Google SEO, keyword strategy can be regarded as the cornerstone, which is the core element that determines whether a website can accurately reach its target audience, improve search rankings and traffic. Next, let's delve into the keyword strategy in Google SEO. ​
1、 The Importance of Keyword Research
Keyword research is not simply about selecting a few popular keywords, it plays a crucial role in Google SEO. Essentially, keywords serve as a bridge between user search needs and website content. By delving deeper into the vocabulary entered by users in the Google search box, websites can accurately understand the needs, interests, and intentions of their target audience. For example, when users search for "sports shoes", it may just be a broad expression of demand; But if you search for "breathable sports shoes suitable for long-distance running", you can clearly show the user's clear requirements for product features and usage scenarios. By optimizing content based on these precise keywords, websites can better meet user needs in Google search results, stand out, and significantly increase website exposure and traffic. ​
2、 Methods of keyword mining
（1） Utilize Google Keyword Planner
As a free and authoritative keyword research tool provided by Google, Google Keyword Planner can be regarded as a "treasure trove" for keyword mining. When using it, simply enter the seed keywords related to the business, and it will present us with a series of related keywords based on Google's vast search data, and display in detail the average monthly search volume, competition level, and other key data for each keyword. Not only that, the tool also supports filtering keywords that match the target audience based on set GEOgraphical location, language, and other conditions. For example, a company specializing in outdoor equipment that primarily targets the US market can obtain keywords that better fit the search habits of American users by setting its geographic location to the US, making its promotion more targeted. ​
（2） Utilize third-party tools
In addition to Google Keyword Planner, there are many excellent third-party keyword mining tools on the market, such as Ahrefs, SEMrush, etc. Taking Ahrefs as an example, its keyword research module is powerful, providing not only search volume, keyword difficulty value (KD) and other data, but also in-depth analysis of the traffic potential of keywords. Through Ahrefs, we can discover some "blue ocean keywords" with relatively low competition but certain traffic potential, providing new breakthroughs for website optimization. For example, in the fiercely competitive e-commerce clothing industry, using Ahrefs may uncover keywords such as "retro style high waisted jeans" that are segmented and have search popularity, helping e-commerce websites accurately target their customer groups. ​
（3） Analyze competitors
As the saying goes, 'Know yourself and know your enemy, you won't be defeated in a hundred battles.' Analyzing the keywords that competitors in the same industry use in Google SEM (search engine marketing) can be a shortcut to obtaining high-quality keywords. By studying competitors' keyword strategies, we can not only discover their core keywords, but also uncover some long tail keywords or segmented domain keywords that we have not considered. For example, a newly established online English education platform may discover precise and in demand keywords such as "workplace English scene dialogue practice" by analyzing the keywords posted by top industry platforms, in order to find differentiated development paths in competition. ​
（4） Follow Google search dropdown and related searches
When entering keywords in the Google search box, the dropdown menu will automatically display some relevant popular search terms; After the search is completed, the "related search" keyword will also be displayed at the bottom of the page. These keywords are generated based on the real search behavior of a large number of users, reflecting their current search needs and trends, and can serve as an important supplement to keyword research. For example, when entering "weight loss" in the Google search box, popular search terms such as "weight loss methods" and "weight loss recipes" may appear in the drop-down menu, indicating that these terms are currently highly searched by users. Websites can create relevant content around these keywords to meet user needs and improve search rankings. ​
3、 Keyword types and applications
（1） Core keywords
Core keywords are usually short words or phrases directly related to the business or product, with high search volume and wide coverage. Taking a website that sells electronic products as an example, core keywords such as "mobile phone", "computer", "tablet", etc. In website optimization, core keywords are generally placed in key positions such as the title and description of the homepage and important column pages to clarify the website's theme and core business, attract the attention of search engines, and improve the website's ranking in core business related search results. ​
（2） Long tail keywords
Long tail keywords are derived from core keywords and are more specific and precise, typically composed of multiple words. For example, "Latest price of Apple phones" and "Recommended lightweight and portable laptops". Although the search volume for individual long tail keywords is relatively low, they are numerous and can accurately match users' specific needs. Reasonable layout of long tail keywords in website content creation can attract potential customers with clear needs, improve the accuracy and conversion rate of website traffic. For example, a website focused on digital product reviews can attract users who are particularly interested in the battery life of a new XX brand tablet by writing product review articles containing a large number of long tail keywords, such as "XX brand new tablet battery life evaluation", providing valuable information to users and improving the website's ranking in relevant search results. ​
（3） Navigation keywords
Navigation keywords are mainly used to help users find specific websites or pages, such as "Google Search", "Baidu Official Website", etc. For corporate websites, brand names and keywords containing brand names belong to navigation keywords. In the process of website optimization, ensuring that brand related navigation keywords occupy an advantageous position in search results can enhance brand recognition and user loyalty. When users search for a company's brand name, they can quickly and accurately find the company's official website, which helps establish a good brand image and promotes interaction and transactions between users and the company. ​
（4） Problem oriented keywords
Problem based keywords are presented in a questioning sentence structure, reflecting the search needs of users when searching for answers or solutions. For example, "how to lose weight quickly" and "how to choose skincare products that suit oneself". The website creates high-quality answer content for these question type keywords, which not only satisfies users' thirst for knowledge, but also establishes the professional image of the website in the industry and attracts more potential customers. For example, a health and wellness website provides comprehensive and scientific weight loss advice to users by providing detailed answers to question based keywords such as "how to achieve healthy weight loss through diet and exercise", thereby attracting long-term attention from users interested in weight loss and increasing website traffic and user stickiness. ​
4、 Building a keyword matrix
Organically combining different types of keywords to construct a keyword matrix is an effective strategy for improving website search coverage and traffic. There are various ways to construct a keyword matrix, with common combinations such as "product category+core keywords" and "service type+long tail keywords". Taking a decoration company as an example, the following keyword matrix can be constructed: "living room decoration+decoration style", "kitchen decoration+decoration budget", "bedroom decoration+environmentally friendly materials", etc. Through this approach, it is possible to comprehensively cover users' search needs in different decoration scenarios, increase the website's exposure in various related search results, and attract more potential customers to visit the website. ​
When constructing a keyword matrix, it is necessary to fully consider users' search habits, business characteristics, and market competition. At the same time, regularly update and optimize the keyword matrix, adjust the combination and layout of keywords based on changes in search volume, competition level, and actual traffic conversion effect of the website, to ensure that the keyword matrix always remains efficient and targeted, providing strong support for the website's Google SEO optimization.

In today's digital wave, Google SEO (Search Engine Optimization) plays an indispensable role for websites to stand out in the fiercely competitive online world. Among the many key aspects of Google SEO, keyword strategy can be regarded as the cornerstone, which is the core element that determines whether a website can accurately reach its target audience, improve search rankings and traffic. Next, let's delve into the keyword strategy in Google SEO. ​
1、 The Importance of Keyword Research
Keyword research is not simply about selecting a few popular keywords, it plays a crucial role in Google SEO. Essentially, keywords serve as a bridge between user search needs and website content. By delving deeper into the vocabulary entered by users in the Google search box, websites can accurately understand the needs, interests, and intentions of their target audience. For example, when users search for "sports shoes", it may just be a broad expression of demand; But if you search for "breathable sports shoes suitable for long-distance running", you can clearly show the user's clear requirements for product features and usage scenarios. By optimizing content based on these precise keywords, websites can better meet user needs in Google search results, stand out, and significantly increase website exposure and traffic. ​
2、 Methods of keyword mining
（1） Utilize Google Keyword Planner
As a free and authoritative keyword research tool provided by Google, Google Keyword Planner can be regarded as a "treasure trove" for keyword mining. When using it, simply enter the seed keywords related to the business, and it will present us with a series of related keywords based on Google's vast search data, and display in detail the average monthly search volume, competition level, and other key data for each keyword. Not only that, the tool also supports filtering keywords that match the target audience based on set GEOgraphical location, language, and other conditions. For example, a company specializing in outdoor equipment that primarily targets the US market can obtain keywords that better fit the search habits of American users by setting its geographic location to the US, making its promotion more targeted. ​
（2） Utilize third-party tools
In addition to Google Keyword Planner, there are many excellent third-party keyword mining tools on the market, such as Ahrefs, SEMrush, etc. Taking Ahrefs as an example, its keyword research module is powerful, providing not only search volume, keyword difficulty value (KD) and other data, but also in-depth analysis of the traffic potential of keywords. Through Ahrefs, we can discover some "blue ocean keywords" with relatively low competition but certain traffic potential, providing new breakthroughs for website optimization. For example, in the fiercely competitive e-commerce clothing industry, using Ahrefs may uncover keywords such as "retro style high waisted jeans" that are segmented and have search popularity, helping e-commerce websites accurately target their customer groups. ​
（3） Analyze competitors
As the saying goes, 'Know yourself and know your enemy, you won't be defeated in a hundred battles.' Analyzing the keywords that competitors in the same industry use in Google SEM (search engine marketing) can be a shortcut to obtaining high-quality keywords. By studying competitors' keyword strategies, we can not only discover their core keywords, but also uncover some long tail keywords or segmented domain keywords that we have not considered. For example, a newly established online English education platform may discover precise and in demand keywords such as "workplace English scene dialogue practice" by analyzing the keywords posted by top industry platforms, in order to find differentiated development paths in competition. ​
（4） Follow Google search dropdown and related searches
When entering keywords in the Google search box, the dropdown menu will automatically display some relevant popular search terms; After the search is completed, the "related search" keyword will also be displayed at the bottom of the page. These keywords are generated based on the real search behavior of a large number of users, reflecting their current search needs and trends, and can serve as an important supplement to keyword research. For example, when entering "weight loss" in the Google search box, popular search terms such as "weight loss methods" and "weight loss recipes" may appear in the drop-down menu, indicating that these terms are currently highly searched by users. Websites can create relevant content around these keywords to meet user needs and improve search rankings. ​
3、 Keyword types and applications
（1） Core keywords
Core keywords are usually short words or phrases directly related to the business or product, with high search volume and wide coverage. Taking a website that sells electronic products as an example, core keywords such as "mobile phone", "computer", "tablet", etc. In website optimization, core keywords are generally placed in key positions such as the title and description of the homepage and important column pages to clarify the website's theme and core business, attract the attention of search engines, and improve the website's ranking in core business related search results. ​
（2） Long tail keywords
Long tail keywords are derived from core keywords and are more specific and precise, typically composed of multiple words. For example, "Latest price of Apple phones" and "Recommended lightweight and portable laptops". Although the search volume for individual long tail keywords is relatively low, they are numerous and can accurately match users' specific needs. Reasonable layout of long tail keywords in website content creation can attract potential customers with clear needs, improve the accuracy and conversion rate of website traffic. For example, a website focused on digital product reviews can attract users who are particularly interested in the battery life of a new XX brand tablet by writing product review articles containing a large number of long tail keywords, such as "XX brand new tablet battery life evaluation", providing valuable information to users and improving the website's ranking in relevant search results. ​
（3） Navigation keywords
Navigation keywords are mainly used to help users find specific websites or pages, such as "Google Search", "Baidu Official Website", etc. For corporate websites, brand names and keywords containing brand names belong to navigation keywords. In the process of website optimization, ensuring that brand related navigation keywords occupy an advantageous position in search results can enhance brand recognition and user loyalty. When users search for a company's brand name, they can quickly and accurately find the company's official website, which helps establish a good brand image and promotes interaction and transactions between users and the company. ​
（4） Problem oriented keywords
Problem based keywords are presented in a questioning sentence structure, reflecting the search needs of users when searching for answers or solutions. For example, "how to lose weight quickly" and "how to choose skincare products that suit oneself". The website creates high-quality answer content for these question type keywords, which not only satisfies users' thirst for knowledge, but also establishes the professional image of the website in the industry and attracts more potential customers. For example, a health and wellness website provides comprehensive and scientific weight loss advice to users by providing detailed answers to question based keywords such as "how to achieve healthy weight loss through diet and exercise", thereby attracting long-term attention from users interested in weight loss and increasing website traffic and user stickiness. ​
4、 Building a keyword matrix
Organically combining different types of keywords to construct a keyword matrix is an effective strategy for improving website search coverage and traffic. There are various ways to construct a keyword matrix, with common combinations such as "product category+core keywords" and "service type+long tail keywords". Taking a decoration company as an example, the following keyword matrix can be constructed: "living room decoration+decoration style", "kitchen decoration+decoration budget", "bedroom decoration+environmentally friendly materials", etc. Through this approach, it is possible to comprehensively cover users' search needs in different decoration scenarios, increase the website's exposure in various related search results, and attract more potential customers to visit the website. ​
When constructing a keyword matrix, it is necessary to fully consider users' search habits, business characteristics, and market competition. At the same time, regularly update and optimize the keyword matrix, adjust the combination and layout of keywords based on changes in search volume, competition level, and actual traffic conversion effect of the website, to ensure that the keyword matrix always remains efficient and targeted, providing strong support for the website's Google SEO optimization.