If you’re just starting to learn about SEO, one of the first things you’ll hear discussed is keyword research. But with all the tools, methods, and jargon involved, it sounds overwhelming. Here’s a secret: understanding how to do basic keyword research for beginners doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right steps, you can quickly learn what people are looking for, write about those words, and increase traffic to your website.
In this guide, we’ll break it down step by step in plain language, so even if you’ve never done SEO before, you’ll feel confident about finding the right keywords that actually rank.
Why Keyword Research Matters
Each time a person enters a phrase in Google, they are providing you with hints as to what they are looking for. If your site solves the problem or answers their question, Google may list your page as a search result. That’s how traffic is generated.
Without keywords, your content is a store in the middle of nowhere—no one knows about it. That’s why learning how to do basic keyword research for beginners is the building block of SEO. Targeting the proper terms will get you visitors who are already seeking what you have to offer.
For instance, if you’re a baking blog and you write about “cakes,” you’ll have millions of competing results. However, if you write about “easy chocolate cake recipe for beginners,” you have a better shot at ranking since it’s specific and less competitive.
Understand Search Intent
Search intent refers to the purpose behind a search. Why is someone searching for that phrase on Google?
There are three key kinds:
Informational: The user wants to learn something. Example: “What is SEO?”
Navigational: The user wants to go to a specific site. Example: “Ahrefs login.”
Transactional: The user is ready to take action. Example: “Buy SEO services.”
If you’re learning how to do simple keyword research for beginners, focus on informational and transactional intent. Informational keywords help attract readers, while transactional ones can convert visitors into customers.
Start With Free Tools
You don’t require pricey SEO software to get started. There are several free tools that can assist you in generating keyword ideas:
Google Keyword Planner: Free if you have a Google Ads account. Excellent for search volume estimates.
Ubersuggest: Provides keyword suggestions and indicates how competitive they are.
AnswerThePublic: Reveals questions people ask surrounding a keyword.
Google Autocomplete: Put your keyword in and look at Google’s suggestions.
By using these, you’ll quickly see what people are typing into search engines. It’s one of the easiest ways to learn how to do simple keyword research for beginners without spending a single dollar.
Focus on Long-Tail Keywords
Broad keywords like “SEO” or “marketing” are almost impossible to rank for because huge websites already dominate them. Instead, go after long-tail keywords—longer, more specific phrases.
Examples:
Instead of “SEO,” attempt “How to do SEO for small businesses in 2025.”
Instead of “workout,” attempt “10-minute home workout for beginners without equipment.”
Instead of “cake recipe,” attempt “easy chocolate cake recipe for beginners.
Long-tail keywords tend to have less competition but more conversion. They might get less clicks in total, but those clicks are so much more valuable. That’s why long-tail phrases are at the center of how to do basic keyword research for a beginner.
Inspect Your Competition
If you come across a keyword, Google it. Take a look at the top results:
Are you getting only huge sites like HubSpot, Forbes, or Wikipedia?
Or do you see smaller websites and local blogs?
If smaller websites are ranking, you’ve got a shot. But if the first page is dominated by huge authority sites, pick a slightly different keyword. This competitor analysis is a straightforward yet forceful aspect of how to do simple keyword research for beginners.
Assess Keyword Metrics
Solid keywords are a balance of search volume and ranking difficulty. Here’s a quick rundown:
High Volume + High Difficulty = Difficult to rank, best avoided for newcomers.
Low Volume + Low Difficulty = Easy to rank, but little traffic.
Medium Volume + Low/Medium Difficulty = The sweet spot for newcomers.
If you’re beginning, shoot for keywords that get a few hundred to a few thous
and searches a month with minimal competition. That’s the brightest approach of using how to do simple keyword research for beginners efficiently.
Develop Content That Aligns with the Keyword
When you’ve got your keyword, here’s how to utilize it:
Insert the keyword in the title and H1 heading.
Use it in the first 100 words of your blog.
Sprinkle variations naturally in subheadings (H2/H3).
Add related terms and synonyms to avoid sounding repetitive.
Include a short FAQ section that answers common questions around the keyword.
By doing this, you’ll signal to Google what your page is about while still writing naturally for humans.
Example of Simple Keyword Research
Suppose you have a fitness blog. You enter “home workout” into a tool and find:
“Easy home workout for beginners” (2,400 searches/month)
“Home workout without gym equipment” (1,200 searches/month)
“10-minute at-home workout” (700 searches/month)
If you select “simple home workout for beginners,” you’re employing the very process of how to conduct simple keyword research for beginners. You know that people are looking for it, you’ve viewed the competition, and now you can develop content on it.
Final Thoughts
Mastering basic keyword research for beginners doesn’t need complex tools or techniques. Begin with free tools, prioritize long-tail keywords, monitor your competition, and create useful content.
Keyword research is not a game of finding magic words—rather, it’s a matter of knowing what your people want and delivering it to them. When you get this down, you’ll notice consistent increases in your site traffic, regardless of your niche.
Keep in mind: SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. But any successful plan begins with one thing—the proper keywords.
