Local SEO Keyword Research in Semrush: A Step-by-Step Guide

To conduct local SEO keyword research in Semrush, start by identifying the target location for your business. This could be a city, state, or even a specific neighborhood.

First, enter your target location into the Semrush tool, and the platform will automatically suggest relevant keywords based on the area. For example, if your business is located in New York City, Semrush might suggest keywords like "NYC restaurants" or "Manhattan hotels".

Next, use the Keyword Magic Tool to generate a list of potential keywords related to your business. This tool allows you to filter by factors like search volume, competition, and keyword difficulty. For instance, you can use the tool to find keywords like "best Italian restaurants in Brooklyn" or "top-rated gyms in Manhattan".

Semrush also provides a keyword clustering feature that helps group similar keywords together, making it easier to identify patterns and trends in your target location.

Worth a look: Keyword Ranking in Google

Search volumes indicate the level of interest in a keyword and can help you choose the best keywords for search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) marketing. High-volume keywords aren't always relevant to your business and tend to attract strong competition from other websites.

Many factors influence actual monthly search volumes, including seasonality, trends, marketing campaigns, user behavior, and market factors. These factors can cause search volumes to fluctuate over time, making it essential to consider trends when analyzing search volumes.

To understand search volume trends, you can use tools like Semrush's "Trend" graph or Google Trends. Google Trends shows how search interest has changed since 2004, allowing you to identify evergreen keywords, seasonal keywords, fad keywords, declining keywords, and rising keywords.

Search volume is a crucial metric to understand in the world of search engine optimization. It refers to the average number of monthly searches for a particular search term in a particular location.

Keyword search volume specifically refers to searches in Google. For example, "dog food" has a Google search volume of 135K in the U.S.

Search volume can vary greatly depending on the location. This means that the number of searches for a particular term can be significantly different in different parts of the world.

The Keyword Overview tool in Semrush shows that "dog food" has a Google search volume of 135,000 in the U.S. This is an estimated number of searches for that term in a typical month.

Search volumes are a crucial metric in understanding how people interact with your online presence. They indicate the level of interest in a keyword and can help you choose the best keywords for search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) marketing.

High-volume keywords may attract strong competition from other websites, but they can also drive significant traffic to your site. However, it's essential to consider search volumes alongside other keyword metrics.

Many factors influence actual monthly search volumes, including seasonality, trends, marketing campaigns, user behavior, and market factors. These factors can cause search volumes to fluctuate over time.

Seasonal keywords are terms that get more interest at specific times of year. For the best results, you must plan your SEO and PPC efforts accordingly. Evergreen keywords, on the other hand, get consistent interest across the year and are good candidates for SEO and long-term ad campaigns.

Here's a breakdown of different types of keywords based on their search volume trends:

Local search volumes and keyword relevance are also important to consider. Keyword research tools can be less accurate for hyper-local search volume attributions and keywords with lower total volume, like less than 100. However, these tools are still useful for exploring relevant keywords for your business.

To find local keyword search volumes, you can use tools like Semrush's Keyword Magic Tool or Keyword Overview tool. These tools can help you understand your potential reach in target areas and better understand your localized audiences.

Keyword Research is a crucial step in local SEO. It helps you identify the most relevant and specific keywords that your target audience uses when searching for businesses like yours in your area.

To start, you need to brainstorm the solutions you offer and list them as seed keywords. For example, if you own a bakery, your seed keywords might include "bakery", "carrot cake", and "wedding cakes." You can also use tools like Google Keyword Planner to find related keywords.

Listing location terms is also essential. This includes spatial terms like "local", "nearby", and "near me", as well as specific place names like cities, towns, and areas. For instance, if you serve the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, you might add Minneapolis, St. Paul, Maplewood, and Brooklyn Park to your list.

You can use free keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner or paid tools like Semrush's Keyword Magic Tool to find relevant local keywords. To use Semrush's tool, enter one of your seed keywords, select your location, and click "Search." The tool will populate a list of keywords that contain your seed keyword or are variations on it.

To find explicit local keywords, add your location modifiers to the "Include keywords" filter in Semrush's Keyword Magic Tool. This will help you identify keywords that have local intent. You can also use the "Export" button to download your keyword data.

Once you have a list of local keywords, you can use them to structure your keywords effectively. This means combining relevant search terms for your business with the specific city, town, or area you serve. For example, if you own a bakery in Miami, you might use keywords like "bakery in Miami", "best custom birthday cake in Miami", and "what bakery in Miami delivers croissants?"

Here's a table summarizing the steps to find local keywords:

By following these steps and using the right tools, you can find the most relevant and specific local keywords that will help you attract more customers to your business.

Analyzing competitors is a crucial step in developing a comprehensive local search strategy. You can find your competitors by searching a local keyword in Google, and then use Semrush's Domain Overview tool to see their keyword strategy.

To identify your competitors, use Google to search for a local keyword phrase relevant to your business, and find the top three results on the SERP. You can also use a tool like I Search From to see the search engine results for a specific location.

Once you've identified your competitors, use Semrush's Keyword Gap tool to compare your website with theirs, revealing keywords for which each site ranks and highlighting any differences. This can help you identify areas where your competitors excel and find opportunities to improve your local SEO efforts.

Comparing Competitors' Keywords

To find competitors' keywords, start by searching a local keyword in Google and identifying your top competitors. Then, use Semrush's Domain Overview tool to find competitors that rank for similar keywords. You can also use Semrush's Keyword Gap tool to compare your website's keywords with your competitors' and identify opportunities for improvement.

Here are some key metrics to look for when analyzing competitors' keywords:

By analyzing your competitors' keywords, you can identify gaps in their approach and seize opportunities to improve your local SEO efforts.

When analyzing competitors, it's essential to understand their service areas. This can be a crucial factor in determining their target audience and local SEO strategy.

A service business that serves a wider area than just one city or town needs to list out all those locations. For instance, a maid service in Dallas that cleans homes in multiple areas and neighborhoods would list out locations like Dallas, Lower Greenville, Highland Park, Uptown, and Park Cities.

You can use the Google Keyword Planner to search keywords by city, which can help you understand a competitor's service areas. This tool lets you search keywords by country, territory, region, or city.

Analyzing a competitor's service areas can help you identify potential gaps in the market and areas where you can differentiate your business. By understanding their target audience and local SEO strategy, you can develop a more effective marketing plan.

A competitor's service areas can be broken down into specific neighborhoods or areas, like the maid service example. This can help you understand their target audience and develop a more targeted marketing strategy.

Here are some examples of service areas that a competitor might list:

Competitor analysis is a crucial step in developing a comprehensive local search strategy. By examining how your competitors rank for local keywords, you can identify gaps in their approach, seize opportunities they may have missed, and refine your keyword targeting strategy accordingly.

To start, use Google to search for a local keyword phrase relevant to your business and find your competitors who rank in the top three results on the SERP. If you're physically not in the location where your business operates, use a tool like I Search From to see the search engine results for the location you select.

You can also use Semrush's Domain Overview tool to take a look at your competitor's keyword strategy. Simply enter your competitor's URL, select your location from the drop-down, and click "Search" to see important metrics like the domain's organic search traffic and the top organic keywords it ranks for.

To find competitors' keywords, fill any gaps in your local SEO keyword research by looking at your competitors' keywords. Use Semrush's Keyword Gap tool to compare your website's keywords with your competitors' to identify opportunities for improvement.

Here are some key metrics to look for when analyzing your competitors' keywords:

By using these tools and metrics, you can gain valuable insights into your competitors' keyword strategies and identify opportunities to improve your own local SEO efforts.

SEO Optimization is crucial for local search visibility. To get your business to appear on the SERP, you need to optimize your Google Business Profile with relevant keywords your would-be customers are searching for.

Google's algorithm looks at relevance and proximity for local searches, so including your target keyword in your business description is essential. This will help Google rank your business in relevant local search results.

Optimizing your Google Business Profile can also lead to more customers. An optimized profile lets users find your business in local keyword searches and interact with you in various ways.

To apply local keyword insights to your Google Business Profile, include relevant keywords naturally in your business description. For example, if you're a bakery near South Beach Miami, your business description could mention your location.

Use descriptive file names and include relevant keywords naturally when naming your images. For instance, change the generic file name "Image_123" to "bakery near South Beach Miami."

Make sure your Google Business Profile is categorized accurately. Choose category names that resemble or match your target keywords.

Here's a quick reference guide to help you optimize your Google Business Profile:

By following these tips, you can improve your local search visibility and attract more customers to your business.

Tracking and Measuring your local keyword success is crucial to understand what's working and what's not. You can use Google Analytics to see if you're getting more organic traffic to your website.

Organic traffic is unpaid traffic to your website. You can find this information in Google Analytics to see how many people are coming to your website right from the search engine. If you're getting more organic traffic, it's a pretty sure bet that your keyword strategy is working.

You can also use a paid keyword tool like Ahrefs to track keyword-specific performance. You can enter your website URL or specific pages on your site and see which keywords it's ranking for.

Another way to measure local keyword success is by using Google Business insights. Within the Google Business dashboard, you can see metrics such as where customers are seeing your listing, how many clicks it's driven to your website, and more.

Here are some ways to track your local keyword rankings:

By tracking your local keyword rankings, you can see if your local SEO efforts are paying off and take action straight away if you notice any ranking drops.

To identify local keywords, you need to follow a simple process. This process has four key steps.

First, create a spreadsheet for your keywords. This will help you organize and keep track of your research.

Next, brainstorm your seed keywords. These are the initial keywords that will help you get started with your research.

Then, find local keywords using the data from your seed keywords. This is where the magic happens, and you start to uncover the specific keywords that will bring targeted customers to your business.

Finally, use data to prioritize which keywords to target. This is where you'll want to focus on the keywords that have the highest search volume and relevance to your business.

Here's a quick rundown of the steps:

Competitor analysis is a crucial step in developing a comprehensive local search strategy. It helps you understand who you're competing with for space online.

To conduct competitor analysis, start by using Google to search for a local keyword phrase relevant to your business. Find your competitors who rank in the top three results on the SERP.

You can also use a tool like I Search From to see the search engine results for a specific location. For example, if you own a bakery in Miami, you can use this tool to see the search results as if you're searching from Miami, Florida.

According to the search results, your competitors may be Rosetta Bakery and Arahi's Bakery. Now that you know who they are, use Semrush's Domain Overview tool to take a look at their keyword strategy.

By examining how your competitors rank for local keywords, you can identify gaps in their approach and seize opportunities they may have missed. You can use SEMrush's Keyword Gap tool to compare your website with those of your competitors and reveal keywords for which each site ranks.

Excluding search terms that include your competitors' brand names can help you focus on relevant local keywords that drive local organic traffic. By continually monitoring and adapting your approach, you can keep dominating the local SEO landscape in your area.

Developing a solid SEO strategy is crucial for local businesses, and it starts with conducting thorough keyword research. Competitor analysis is a vital part of this process, revealing what terms people in your area are searching for and how your competitors target those searches.

By understanding what keywords your competitors are targeting, you can identify untapped opportunities and create a chance to leverage them. This can help you rank higher for specific keywords since there isn't as much competition.

To create a successful SEO strategy, you should focus on local SEO keyword research. This involves understanding and targeting the right local keywords to increase your visibility in local search results.

Local keyword research helps you identify search terms your target audience uses when looking for products or services in your area. By targeting these keywords, you can capture local leads actively searching for businesses like yours.

To prioritize your keywords, collect keyword data and focus on keywords that are relevant to your business, get good traffic, and are fairly easy to rank for.

Here's a rough guide to help you get started:

By optimizing your website and Google Business Profile with your target keywords, you can improve your local SEO campaign and ensure your website remains relevant and visible in local search results.

Related reading: Website to Search for Cruelty Free Beauty Brands

Google Keyword Planner is a free tool provided by Google Ads that's an excellent starting point for local keyword research. It allows you to find relevant keywords, assess search volumes, and get suggestions for new keywords to target.

SEMrush and Ahrefs are powerful all-in-one SEO tools that offer a range of local keyword research features. With SEMrush, you can find local keywords, analyze search volumes, track your local rankings, and much more. Ahrefs allows you to explore local keywords, check search volumes, and assess keyword competition.

Google Search Console is a valuable tool for analyzing your website's performance in search results, but it's not specifically designed for keyword research. You can gain insights into the keywords driving traffic to your website and identify opportunities for optimization by utilizing the search analytics feature.

Here are some top local keyword research tools to consider:

Having the right tools at your disposal is essential for conducting effective SEO. Google Keyword Planner is a free tool provided by Google Ads that's an excellent starting point for local keyword research.

Google Keyword Planner allows you to find relevant keywords, assess search volumes, and get suggestions for new keywords to target. You can also filter results based on location to get more accurate data for your specific area.

SEMrush is a powerful all-in-one SEO tool that offers a range of local keyword research features. With SEMrush, you can find local keywords, analyze search volumes, track your local rankings, and much more.

Ahrefs is another comprehensive SEO tool that provides valuable insights for local keyword research. Ahrefs allows you to explore local keywords, check search volumes, and assess keyword competition.

Google Search Console is a valuable tool for analyzing your website's performance in search results. By utilizing the search analytics feature, you can gain insights into the keywords driving traffic to your website and identify opportunities for optimization.

Here are some of the top tools to consider for local keyword research:

Having the right tools and resources can make a huge difference in your SEO efforts.

Local keyword research is essential for capturing local leads and improving brand engagement. To conduct effective local keyword research, you can use a local keyword research template like the one mentioned in Example 3. This template is a free worksheet that helps you identify the best local keywords for your business.

A well-structured template can save you time and effort in the long run. It's built like a worksheet, so you can walk through the steps to fill in and identify the best local keywords for your business.

To take your local SEO strategy to the next level, you'll also want to use the right tools. Some of the best local keyword research tools include Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Google Search Console. These tools can help you find relevant local keywords, analyze search volumes and competition, and uncover valuable insights that can inform your local SEO strategy.

Here are some key features to look for in a local keyword research tool:

By using a local keyword research template and the right tools, you can ensure that your website remains relevant and visible in local search results.

Local keyword research is a must for success in local SEO. Nearly half of all searches conducted on Google have local intent.

Google understands where a person is searching from, which is why optimizing for both implicit and explicit local searches is so important. This can increase your chances of appearing on the first page for relevant searches.

Local keywords can also translate into higher purchase intent. 88% of local searchers call or visit the business within a day.

Optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP) is crucial. Google can use your GBP information in the local pack and other Google Maps results.

Adding local keywords to your business description can help Google match your GBP to relevant queries. This can mean more eyes on your business.

Local keyword research can help you select business categories, too. But you should only choose categories that are specific and representative.

Adding keywords to various parts of your GBP isn’t guaranteed to positively impact your rankings. But it can help potential customers understand what your business is about.

Now that you've found your target keywords, it's time to apply them in Semrush.

Use the "Keyword Magic Tool" to find local keywords and phrases that people in your area are searching for.

Start by entering your target keywords and selecting a location to get a list of relevant local keywords.

You can also use the "Topic Explorer" to drill down into specific topics and find related keywords that people in your area are searching for.

Use the "SERP Analyzer" to analyze the top 10 results for your target keywords and see what keywords are being used by your competitors.

Make sure to filter the results by location to get a list of local keywords that are being used by your competitors.

By following these steps, you can find the best local keywords to target with your SEO efforts.