Keyword Research

This skill helps you discover, analyze, and prioritize keywords for SEO and GEO content strategies. It identifies high-value opportunities based on search volume, competition, intent, and business relevance.

When to Use This Skill

Starting a new content strategy or campaign
Expanding into new topics or markets
Finding keywords for a specific product or service
Identifying long-tail keyword opportunities
Understanding search intent for your industry
Planning content calendars
Researching keywords for GEO optimization

What This Skill Does

Keyword Discovery: Generates comprehensive keyword lists from seed terms
Intent Classification: Categorizes keywords by user intent (informational, navigational, commercial, transactional)
Difficulty Assessment: Evaluates competition level and ranking difficulty
Opportunity Scoring: Prioritizes keywords by potential ROI
Clustering: Groups related keywords into topic clusters
GEO Relevance: Identifies keywords likely to trigger AI responses

How to Use

Basic Keyword Research

Research keywords for [topic/product/service]

Find keyword opportunities for a [industry] business targeting [audience]

With Specific Goals

Find low-competition keywords for [topic] with commercial intent

Identify question-based keywords for [topic] that AI systems might answer

Competitive Research

What keywords is [competitor URL] ranking for that I should target?

Data Sources

See CONNECTORS.md for tool category placeholders.

With ~~SEO tool + ~~search console connected: Automatically pull historical search volume data, keyword difficulty scores, SERP analysis, current rankings from ~~search console, and competitor keyword overlap. The skill will fetch seed keyword metrics, related keyword suggestions, and search trend data.

With manual data only: Ask the user to provide:

Seed keywords or topic description
Target audience and geographic location
Business goals (traffic, leads, sales)
Current domain authority (if known) or site age
Any known keyword performance data or search volume estimates

Proceed with the full analysis using provided data. Note in the output which metrics are from automated collection vs. user-provided data.

Instructions

When a user requests keyword research:

Understand the Context

Ask clarifying questions if not provided:
- What is your product/service/topic?
- Who is your target audience?
- What is your business goal? (traffic, leads, sales)
- What is your current domain authority? (new site, established, etc.)
- Any specific geographic targeting?
- Preferred language?
Generate Seed Keywords

Start with:
- Core product/service terms
- Problem-focused keywords (what issues do you solve?)
- Solution-focused keywords (how do you help?)
- Audience-specific terms
- Industry terminology

Expand Keyword List

For each seed keyword, generate variations:

## Keyword Expansion Patterns

### Modifiers
- Best [keyword]
- Top [keyword]
- [keyword] for [audience]
- [keyword] near me
- [keyword] [year]
- How to [keyword]
- What is [keyword]
- [keyword] vs [alternative]
- [keyword] examples
- [keyword] tools

### Long-tail Variations
- [keyword] for beginners
- [keyword] for small business
- Free [keyword]
- [keyword] software/tool/service
- [keyword] template
- [keyword] checklist
- [keyword] guide

Classify Search Intent

Categorize each keyword:

Intent	Signals	Example	Content Type
Informational	what, how, why, guide, learn	"what is SEO"	Blog posts, guides
Navigational	brand names, specific sites	"google analytics login"	Homepage, product pages
Commercial	best, review, vs, compare	"best SEO tools [current year]"	Comparison posts, reviews
Transactional	buy, price, discount, order	"buy SEO software"	Product pages, pricing

Assess Keyword Difficulty

Score each keyword (1-100 scale):

### Difficulty Factors

**High Difficulty (70-100)**
- Major brands ranking
- High domain authority competitors
- Established content (1000+ backlinks)
- Paid ads dominating SERP

**Medium Difficulty (40-69)**
- Mix of authority and niche sites
- Some opportunities for quality content
- Moderate backlink requirements

**Low Difficulty (1-39)**
- Few authoritative competitors
- Thin or outdated content ranking
- Long-tail variations
- New or emerging topics

Calculate Opportunity Score

Formula: Opportunity = (Volume × Intent Value) / Difficulty

Intent Value assigns a numeric weight by search intent:

Informational = 1
Navigational = 1
Commercial = 2
Transactional = 3

### Opportunity Matrix

| Scenario | Volume | Difficulty | Intent | Priority |
|----------|--------|------------|--------|----------|
| Quick Win | Low-Med | Low | High | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Growth | High | Medium | High | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Long-term | High | High | High | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Research | Low | Low | Low | ⭐⭐ |

Identify GEO Opportunities

Keywords likely to trigger AI responses:

### GEO-Relevant Keywords

**High GEO Potential**
- Question formats: "What is...", "How does...", "Why is..."
- Definition queries: "[term] meaning", "[term] definition"
- Comparison queries: "[A] vs [B]", "difference between..."
- List queries: "best [category]", "top [number] [items]"
- How-to queries: "how to [action]", "steps to [goal]"

**AI Answer Indicators**
- Query is factual/definitional
- Answer can be summarized concisely
- Topic is well-documented online
- Low commercial intent

Create Topic Clusters

Group keywords into content clusters:

## Topic Cluster: [Main Topic]

**Pillar Content**: [Primary keyword]
- Search volume: [X]
- Difficulty: [X]
- Content type: Comprehensive guide

**Cluster Content**:

### Sub-topic 1: [Secondary keyword]
- Volume: [X]
- Difficulty: [X]
- Links to: Pillar
- Content type: [Blog post/Tutorial/etc.]

### Sub-topic 2: [Secondary keyword]
- Volume: [X]
- Difficulty: [X]
- Links to: Pillar + Sub-topic 1
- Content type: [Blog post/Tutorial/etc.]

[Continue for all cluster keywords...]

Generate Output Report

# Keyword Research Report: [Topic]

**Generated**: [Date]
**Target Audience**: [Audience]
**Business Goal**: [Goal]

## Executive Summary

- Total keywords analyzed: [X]
- High-priority opportunities: [X]
- Estimated traffic potential: [X]/month
- Recommended focus areas: [List]

## Top Keyword Opportunities

### Quick Wins (Low difficulty, High value)

| Keyword | Volume | Difficulty | Intent | Score |
|---------|--------|------------|--------|-------|
| [keyword 1] | [X] | [X] | [type] | [X] |
| [keyword 2] | [X] | [X] | [type] | [X] |

### Growth Keywords (Medium difficulty, High volume)

| Keyword | Volume | Difficulty | Intent | Score |
|---------|--------|------------|--------|-------|
| [keyword 1] | [X] | [X] | [type] | [X] |

### GEO Opportunities (AI-citation potential)

| Keyword | Type | AI Potential | Recommended Format |
|---------|------|--------------|-------------------|
| [keyword 1] | Question | High | Q&A section |
| [keyword 2] | Definition | High | Clear definition |

## Topic Clusters

[Include cluster maps]

## Content Calendar Recommendations

| Month | Content | Target Keyword | Type |
|-------|---------|----------------|------|
| [Month] | [Title] | [Keyword] | [Type] |

## Next Steps

1. [Action item 1]
2. [Action item 2]
3. [Action item 3]

Validation Checkpoints

Input Validation

Seed keywords or topic description clearly provided
Target audience and business goals specified
Geographic and language targeting confirmed
Domain authority or site maturity level established

Output Validation

Every recommendation cites specific data points (not generic advice)
Search volume and difficulty scores included for each keyword
Keywords grouped by intent and mapped to content types
Topic clusters show clear pillar-to-cluster relationships
Source of each data point clearly stated (~~SEO tool data, user-provided, or estimated)

Example

User: "Research keywords for a project management software company targeting small businesses"

Output:

# Keyword Research Report: Project Management Software

**Generated**: [current month and year]
**Target Audience**: Small business owners and teams
**Business Goal**: Software signups and trials

## Executive Summary

- Total keywords analyzed: 150+
- High-priority opportunities: 23
- Estimated traffic potential: 45,000/month
- Recommended focus areas: 
  - Task management workflows
  - Team collaboration
  - Small business productivity

## Top Keyword Opportunities

### Quick Wins (Priority: Immediate)

| Keyword | Volume | Difficulty | Intent | Score |
|---------|--------|------------|--------|-------|
| project management for small teams | 1,200 | 28 | Commercial | 92 |
| simple task management software | 890 | 25 | Commercial | 89 |
| best free project management tool | 2,400 | 35 | Commercial | 85 |
| how to manage remote team projects | 720 | 22 | Informational | 82 |
| project tracking spreadsheet alternative | 480 | 18 | Commercial | 80 |

### Growth Keywords (Priority: 3-6 months)

| Keyword | Volume | Difficulty | Intent | Score |
|---------|--------|------------|--------|-------|
| project management software | 18,000 | 72 | Commercial | 65 |
| best project management tools [current year] | 8,500 | 65 | Commercial | 62 |
| project management app | 12,000 | 68 | Commercial | 58 |

### GEO Opportunities (AI-citation potential)

| Keyword | Type | AI Potential | Recommended Format |
|---------|------|--------------|-------------------|
| what is project management | Definition | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Clear definition + methodology |
| agile vs waterfall | Comparison | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Side-by-side comparison table |
| project management methodologies | List | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Comprehensive list with pros/cons |
| how to create a project plan | How-to | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Step-by-step guide |
| project management best practices | List | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Numbered best practices |

## Topic Clusters

### Cluster 1: Project Management Fundamentals

**Pillar**: "Complete Guide to Project Management" (8,500 volume)

Cluster articles:
1. What is project management? (2,200 volume)
2. Project management methodologies explained (1,800 volume)
3. How to create a project plan (1,400 volume)
4. Project management best practices (1,200 volume)
5. Project management roles and responsibilities (890 volume)

### Cluster 2: Team Collaboration

**Pillar**: "Team Collaboration Tools Guide" (4,200 volume)

Cluster articles:
1. How to improve team communication (1,600 volume)
2. Remote team management tips (1,400 volume)
3. Best practices for distributed teams (920 volume)
4. Team productivity tools comparison (780 volume)

## Content Calendar Recommendations

| Month | Content | Target Keyword | Type |
|-------|---------|----------------|------|
| Week 1 | Simple Task Management Guide | simple task management software | Blog + Demo |
| Week 2 | Project Management for Small Teams | project management for small teams | Pillar Page |
| Week 3 | Agile vs Waterfall: Complete Comparison | agile vs waterfall | Comparison |
| Week 4 | Free PM Tools Roundup | best free project management tool | Listicle |

## Next Steps

1. **Immediate**: Create landing pages for top 5 quick-win keywords
2. **Week 1-2**: Write pillar content for "Project Management Fundamentals"
3. **Week 3-4**: Build out cluster content with internal linking
4. **Ongoing**: Track rankings and adjust strategy based on performance

Advanced Features

Intent Mapping

Map all keywords for [topic] by search intent and funnel stage

Seasonal Analysis

Identify seasonal keyword trends for [industry]

Competitor Gap

What keywords do [competitor 1], [competitor 2], [competitor 3] rank for 
that I'm missing?

Local Keywords

Research local keywords for [business type] in [city/region]

Tips for Success

Start with seed keywords that describe your core offering
Don't ignore long-tail - they often have highest conversion rates
Match content to intent - informational queries need guides, not sales pages
Group into clusters for topical authority
Prioritize quick wins to build momentum and credibility
Include GEO keywords in your strategy for AI visibility
Review quarterly - keyword dynamics change over time

Keyword Intent Taxonomy

Understanding search intent is critical for keyword selection and content planning.

Intent Classification Matrix

Intent Type	User Goal	SERP Signals	Content Strategy	Conversion Potential
Informational	Learn something	Featured snippets, PAA, knowledge panels	Guides, tutorials, explainers	Low (nurture)
Navigational	Find specific site/page	Brand results, sitelinks	Brand pages, login pages	Medium (brand)
Commercial Investigation	Research before buying	Comparison results, reviews, "best" lists	Comparisons, reviews, buying guides	High (mid-funnel)
Transactional	Complete an action	Shopping results, ads, product pages	Product pages, pricing, signup	Highest (bottom-funnel)

Intent Signal Words

Intent	Signal Words	Example Keywords
Informational	how, what, why, when, guide, tutorial, learn, examples	"how to improve SEO", "what is schema markup"
Navigational	[brand name], login, sign in, official, website	"Ahrefs login", "Google Search Console"
Commercial	best, top, review, comparison, vs, alternative, pricing	"best SEO tools 2026", "Ahrefs vs SEMrush"
Transactional	buy, purchase, discount, coupon, free trial, download, hire	"buy Ahrefs subscription", "SEO audit tool free"

Topic Cluster Architecture

Hub-and-Spoke Model

                    ┌──────────────┐
              ┌─────│  Sub-topic A  │
              │     └──────────────┘
              │     ┌──────────────┐
┌─────────┐   ├─────│  Sub-topic B  │
│  PILLAR  │───┤     └──────────────┘
│  PAGE    │   ├─────┌──────────────┐
└─────────┘   │     │  Sub-topic C  │
              │     └──────────────┘
              └─────┌──────────────┐
                    │  Sub-topic D  │
                    └──────────────┘

Pillar Page: Comprehensive overview (3,000-5,000 words) targeting broad keyword Cluster Pages: Focused articles (1,500-2,500 words) targeting specific long-tail keywords Internal Links: Every cluster page links to pillar; pillar links to all cluster pages

Topic Cluster Planning Template

Pillar Topic	Pillar Keyword	Cluster Topic	Cluster Keyword	Volume	Difficulty	Status
[Broad topic]	[Head keyword]	[Subtopic 1]	[Long-tail 1]	[X]	[X]	[Draft/Published]

Keyword Prioritization Framework

Which score to use: Use the Priority Score (below) for initial keyword triage and shortlisting. Use the Opportunity Score (Step 6 above) for final content calendar prioritization, where the additional GEO and competitive factors provide more nuanced ranking.

Priority Scoring Matrix

Score each keyword 1-5 on these factors, then calculate weighted total:

Factor	Weight	Score 1 (Low)	Score 5 (High)
Search Volume	20%	<100/mo	>10,000/mo
Keyword Difficulty	25%	KD >80 (hard)	KD <20 (easy)
Business Relevance	30%	Tangential to offering	Core to offering
Search Intent Match	15%	Informational only	Transactional/commercial
Trend Direction	10%	Declining	Growing

Priority Score = Σ(Factor Weight × Score) / 5

Priority Categories

Priority	Score Range	Action
P0 — Must Target	4.0-5.0	Create content immediately
P1 — High Value	3.0-3.9	Queue for next content sprint
P2 — Opportunity	2.0-2.9	Plan for future content calendar
P3 — Monitor	1.0-1.9	Track but don't prioritize

Seasonal Keyword Patterns

Seasonal Analysis Framework

Season Trigger	Example Keywords	Planning Lead Time	Content Strategy
Calendar events	"Black Friday SEO", "New Year marketing plan"	3-4 months ahead	Publish 6-8 weeks before peak
Industry events	"[Conference] takeaways", "Google algorithm update"	1-2 months / reactive	Pre-plan templates, react quickly
Budget cycles	"marketing budget template Q1", "SEO ROI report"	2-3 months ahead	Target planning season (Oct-Dec)
Seasonal demand	"summer marketing ideas", "holiday email campaigns"	2-3 months ahead	Refresh annually with new data

Reference Materials

Keyword Intent Taxonomy — Complete intent classification with signal words and content strategies
Topic Cluster Templates — Hub-and-spoke architecture templates for pillar and cluster content

Related Skills

competitor-analysis — See what keywords competitors rank for
content-gap-analysis — Find missing keyword opportunities
seo-content-writer — Create content for target keywords
geo-content-optimizer — Optimize for AI citations
rank-tracker — Monitor keyword position changes over time
memory-management — Store keyword data in project memory
serp-analysis — SERP patterns inform keyword strategy

keyword-research