| name | keyword-research |
| description | Use when the user asks to "find keywords", "keyword research", "what should I write about", "identify ranking opportunities", "topic ideas", "what are people searching for", "which keywords should I target", or "give me keyword ideas". Discovers high-value keywords with search intent analysis, difficulty assessment, and content opportunity mapping. Essential for starting any SEO or GEO content strategy. For analyzing competitor keywords specifically, see competitor-analysis. For content topic gaps, see content-gap-analysis. |
| license | Apache-2.0 |
| metadata | {"author":"aaron-he-zhu","version":"2.0.0","geo-relevance":"medium","tags":["seo","geo","keywords","search intent","content strategy","topic research","content planning","search volume","long-tail keywords"],"triggers":["find keywords","keyword research","what should I write about","identify ranking opportunities","topic ideas","search volume","content opportunities","what are people searching for","which keywords should I target","give me keyword ideas"]} |
Keyword Research
SEO & GEO Skills Library · 20 skills for SEO + GEO · Install all: npx skills add aaron-he-zhu/seo-geo-claude-skills
Browse all 20 skills
Research · keyword-research · competitor-analysis · serp-analysis · content-gap-analysis
Build · seo-content-writer · geo-content-optimizer · meta-tags-optimizer · schema-markup-generator
Optimize · on-page-seo-auditor · technical-seo-checker · internal-linking-optimizer · content-refresher
Monitor · rank-tracker · backlink-analyzer · performance-reporter · alert-manager
Cross-cutting · content-quality-auditor · domain-authority-auditor · entity-optimizer · memory-management
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
Output Validation
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
Related Skills
