Since the internet became publicly accessible in 1991, people have needed ways to find specific content. After all, the internet isn’t comparable to a local telephone directory: with millions of websites popping up even in the early years, it would be impossible to know what is out there – let alone how to find it – without some search functionality.

Search engines provide this service, and have relied upon the use of queries from users. Fundamentally, these queries are based on the use and analysis of keywords. Since the internet began, the use and complexity of keywords has evolved substantially.

If you’re looking to understand how keywords work in content creation, SEO and other comparable endeavors, then keep reading to find out how to use keywords in 2020.

Use a Keyword Explorer

Ultimately, using keywords properly in 2020 requires some research. In the old days, you could stuff keywords into content and have a relatively successful experience in ranking for select results. Today, you must invest your time and effort into finding the right keywords.

In order to do this, you can start out by brainstorming a list of relevant words and phrases for your blog or website’s content. From there, the use of one of many keyword explorers allows you to figure out who’s pinging links to content with select keywords and how much competition can be expected.

Choose the Right Keywords

With your broader ideas determined, it now becomes an issue of filtering out which keywords aren’t worth your time and which ones provide real promise. There are a few different criteria you’ll want to consider in selecting the right keywords.

First of all is search volume. This measures the amount of searches (usually over the course of a month) that a particular keyword or SERP (search engine results page) generates.

Another important aspect of choosing the right keywords is search intent. Just because a keyword or phrase is related to your brand doesn’t mean it is ideal for your exact needs. For instance, some keywords within a niche may be best suited for those seeking to provide general information on a product, while others are better for targeting people who are ready to purchase said product.

Considering these prime factors before settling on a list of keywords in 2020 is crucial for optimizing performance.

Using Keywords Properly

With your keywords selected, how exactly should they be used?

It’s important to include keywords throughout your page and copy when pinging links to search engines. These keywords should not be forced into the content, but instead used wherever they make logical sense and do not disrupt the reading experience.

Likewise, incorporating the primary keyword into each page’s title tags and URL addresses will further improve its performance in search results. This helps search engines more effectively determine what the content is about and how to index and rank it.

For those who want to better their SEO and content creation experience, understanding the basics of keyword use in 2020 is fundamental. By researching which keywords are best suited for your experience, organically including keywords in content and finding ways to insert them into titles and URLs, you can create a seamless keyword experience that improves your content for 2020 and beyond.