Keyword Research With Semrush a Step-By-Step Guide
Want to learn SEO the easy way?
When I started, I didn’t know how helpful keywords were. But then I tried them—and wow! They worked. Just think—knowing the words people type into Google. It’s like having a treasure map.
With a tool like Semrush, more people can find your site. Keyword research isn’t hard. It’s smart. In this guide, I’ll show you how to use Semrush. I did this when I got serious about blogging.
You’ll also learn what others are doing. And you’ll see how to do it better. Let’s begin. Your next big win starts here.
Getting Started With Semrush
Semrush helps you find great keywords. This guide shows clear steps to find the best ones. You’ll also see what others are doing—and how to beat them. If SEO feels new, this will help a lot.
When I used Semrush for the first time, I was amazed. I found one keyword. It was easy to rank. That one word brought readers for months. A small step—but it changed things.
Semrush may look hard. But it’s not. It gets fun fast.
Step one? Make your Semrush account.
Go to the site and click “Sign Up.” You can try it free. Or pick a plan.
It’s simple.
Type your email.
Pick a password.
Follow the steps.
Check your inbox and click the link.
I signed up on a weekend. I wanted to know why my blog wasn’t working. In just a few hours, I saw so much.
Now you have the same tool the pros use. It’s your turn to use the data and grow.
Navigating The Dashboard (Very Easy to Read)
When you log in, the Semrush dashboard is the place to start. It might look like a lot. I felt that way at first too. But each part has a job.
On the left, there’s a menu. It has tools like Domain Analytics and the Keyword Magic Tool. Hover your mouse over each one to learn more.
Not sure where to begin? Click the Projects tab. I used that when I first checked a friend’s website. It showed me how the site was doing and what to fix.
You can move parts of the dashboard around. I like putting my favorite tools at the top. That way, I get to them fast.
Every tool gives you data. But you can change how it looks to match your goals. This helps you stay focused. Ready to grow your site? You’re all set to begin.
Understanding Keyword Research
Keywords help people find your site. They show what your readers search for.
When I started writing blogs, I didn’t know about this. Then I learned, and my site got more visits. Semrush helps you find the best words to use.
Importance Of Keyword Research
Good keywords can bring more people to your site.
One time, I picked the right word for a post. It got lots of views. That’s how much it matters. If you skip this step, you miss chances to grow.
There are short words and long ones. Short ones like “SEO” get lots of clicks. But they are hard to rank for.
Long words like “best SEO tips for blogs” are easier. They help you reach the right people.
I use long ones now. They bring in readers who want what I offer.
Semrush helps you find great keywords fast. It shows you what people look for.
This makes it easy to plan new posts. It also helps more people find your site.
This tool gives you lots of ideas. Just type one word to start.
It shows you other words that people use. You can sort them by search count or how hard they are.
I used this tool last week for a blog. I found 10 good ideas in just a few minutes.
If you’re stuck, this tool can help. It saves time and helps you write better.
The Keyword Overview Tool is great when you want to check how a keyword works. It shows you things like how many people search for it, how it trends over time, and how hard it is to rank for it. I use this tool a lot to see if a keyword is worth my time. It helps me decide before I spend hours writing.
You can also see the top pages that rank for your keyword. One time, I was shocked to see low-quality pages at the top. But the tool showed me they had strong backlinks and related terms. That’s why they ranked well.
Seeing this helped me plan better content. I found ways to fill in what those pages missed. This tool makes that easier. It explains why some pages win, which has really helped me with blog posts and landing pages.
Both the Keyword Overview Tool and the Keyword Magic Tool are super helpful. They give you real tips you can use. Want to grow your traffic? Try both tools—they’re a big help.
Finding Relevant Keywords
Picking the right keywords is key for SEO. Think of your site like a shop in a busy street. To bring in the right people, your signs need to match what they’re looking for. I learned this when my old site got traffic—but not the right kind.
Semrush makes keyword picking easy. It helps you find keywords that bring the right visitors. Let’s see how to do that.
Search Volume and Difficulty
Search volume shows how many times a keyword gets searched each month. More searches can mean more visitors. But it also means more people are trying to rank for it. I once tried a big keyword and quickly saw it was too hard. It felt like selling lemonade where everyone else already is!
Semrush gives you a difficulty score. This tells you how hard it is to rank for a word. I now look for ones that are easier but still useful. It’s like picking a race where I have a real chance to win.
Long-tail keywords are longer and more exact. They’re great because people use them when they know what they want. They’re easier to rank for and bring better traffic. I once used “best budget laptops for students” instead of just “laptops” and saw way better results.
Semrush helps you find these longer terms fast. They help you reach people who are ready to buy or act. Think about how you search—you use longer terms when you’re sure. That’s why these keywords work so well.
Are your keywords too wide? Or are they hitting the mark? Semrush can help you stay on track.
Analyzing Competitor Keywords
Checking what keywords your rivals use can change the game. You can see what works and use that info to grow your own site. I did this for a blog series and saw our traffic double in three months.
It also helps you find what’s missing in your content and what your readers want more of.
The Competitor Research Tool from Semrush is easy to use. It shows the keywords your rivals rank for. This helps you see their plan and how they get traffic.
You can also check how hard the keywords are and how often people search for them. I use it before writing new posts so I’m not guessing. It’s like getting the playbook before the game starts.
Finding keyword gaps is a smart way to grow. These are words your rivals use but you don’t. That’s traffic you’re missing! I once found a gap through Semrush and wrote a quick post. That post is now in the top five!
Semrush makes this easy. You just compare your site with others. It shows what you’re missing. Then you can make content that fills the gap and brings in new visitors.
Creating A Keyword Strategy
Creating a keyword plan helps bring steady traffic to your website. I've learned it's not just about popular words. It's about knowing what your audience types into Google and matching it with your goals. Semrush gives you easy tools to make a strong plan that lasts.
Start with keywords that match your goals. Use a mix of short (broad) and long (specific) keywords. Short keywords bring more people. Long ones often lead to more sales. When I made content for a small product, a long keyword helped me rank on page one fast. Semrush shows you how hard a keyword is and how many people search for it. Hard means more competition. But Semrush helps find good spots with decent traffic and less competition. I always suggest starting there. Think about what your audience wants. Are they just looking, or ready to buy? Knowing this helps you write content that connects and gets results.
Once you have your keywords, group them. Base it on topics or what people want. This keeps your content clear. It also helps Google understand your site. I use Semrush’s grouping tool to stay neat. It saves time. At first, I used a spreadsheet. It helped me stay on track and spot what worked. Ever wonder why another site ranks better with the same content? It's often about how they organize their keywords. That small step matters. Building a keyword plan is like building a house. You need a good plan and tools. With Semrush, you’re ready to build something strong.
Tracking Keyword Performance
Watching how your keywords do keeps your plan sharp. You’ll learn what works and what doesn’t. Semrush makes this part easy. It shows real-time data to help you make changes fast.
This tool shows where your keywords rank each day. Semrush updates it daily. I once saw a drop in rank and fixed a broken link fast. That saved me traffic. Tracking helps you fix problems early. It also shows what’s working so you can keep doing it.
Adjusting Strategy Based On Data
Don’t just collect data—use it. Semrush shows keyword trends and what’s losing ground. I’ve changed blog topics, dropped weak keywords, and updated old posts based on that. Doing this often keeps your site strong. Staying on top of things helps you grow over time.
Going deeper with keyword research helps you grow. Over time, I found tricks that save time and bring better results. Here are some advanced tips using Semrush.
Leveraging Filters And Reports
Filters help find what matters. I filter by search volume and difficulty to stay focused. Semrush makes this easy. I check reports to spot trends. These help plan my next post. One time, I saw a CPC trend that led to a top blog post. **Exploring Related Keywords** Related keywords reach more people. Semrush suggests useful terms you may not think of. I use them to cover new angles in my content. Watch trends. Some words work better in certain seasons. I once updated a post with seasonal keywords and saw a fast traffic jump. These keywords help you grow without starting over.
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Use Semrush To Do Keyword Research?
Log in. Go to the Keyword Magic Tool. Type your main keyword. Look at volume, difficulty, and CPC. Use filters to find the best ones. Save them and use them in your SEO plan.
How To Perform Keyword Research Step By Step?
Know your audience. Use Google Planner and Semrush. Check what your rivals use. Focus on long keywords. Choose the ones that match your content goals.
Is Semrush Really Worth It?
Yes. It gives keyword tools, competitor info, and audits. It helped me grow blogs and win clients. If you care about SEO, Semrush is a great tool.
Is Semrush Good For Keywords?
Yes. It gives full keyword info, shows trends, and helps with ideas. I use it in all my projects. It really works.
Learning keyword research with Semrush helps your content grow. It shows what works. Use that to write better and reach the right people. Try new things. Practice helps. Good keywords open doors. With Semrush, you’re ready to go. Keep at it—you’ll see results.
