| name | researching-seo-keywords |
| description | Expands keyword lists and analyzes search intent for content strategy. Use when the user asks about keyword research, search intent, long-tail keywords, keyword gaps, or SEO content planning. |
SEO Keyword Research Assistant
When to use this skill
- User asks for keyword research
- User needs keyword variations
- User wants to analyze search intent
- User mentions finding content gaps
- User needs low-competition keywords
Workflow
Instructions
Step 1: Gather Seed Keywords
Required inputs:
| Field | Purpose |
|---|
| Main topic/product | Core focus area |
| Target audience | Who you're reaching |
| Business goal | Traffic, leads, sales |
| Competitors | For gap analysis |
| Current rankings | What you already rank for |
Seed keyword sources:
| Source | How to Use |
|---|
| Product/service names | Direct terms |
| Customer questions | Support tickets, FAQs |
| Competitor content | What they rank for |
| Industry terms | Jargon, acronyms |
| Problem statements | Pain points |
Step 2: Generate Keyword Variations
Variation types:
| Type | Formula | Example (seed: "email marketing") |
|---|
| Long-tail | [seed] + [modifier] | "email marketing for small business" |
| Question | [question word] + [seed] | "how to start email marketing" |
| Comparison | [seed] vs [alternative] | "email marketing vs social media" |
| Best/top | best [seed] + [qualifier] | "best email marketing software 2026" |
| How-to | how to [action] + [seed] | "how to improve email marketing" |
| Guide | [seed] + guide/tutorial | "email marketing guide for beginners" |
| Tool | [seed] + tool/software | "email marketing automation tools" |
| Cost | [seed] + cost/pricing | "email marketing software pricing" |
Modifier categories:
| Category | Modifiers |
|---|
| Intent | buy, compare, review, learn, find |
| Time | 2026, today, now, quick, fast |
| Quality | best, top, free, cheap, premium |
| Audience | for beginners, for developers, for small business |
| Location | near me, in [city], [country] |
| Format | template, checklist, guide, examples |
Step 3: Search Intent Classification
Intent types:
| Intent | Signal Words | Content Type | Funnel Stage |
|---|
| Informational | how, what, why, guide, learn | Blog, guide, tutorial | Top (awareness) |
| Navigational | [brand name], login, website | Landing page, homepage | Middle |
| Commercial | best, review, compare, vs, top | Comparison, review | Middle (consideration) |
| Transactional | buy, price, discount, order | Product page, pricing | Bottom (decision) |
Intent identification patterns:
## Informational Intent
- "how to [action]"
- "what is [topic]"
- "why does [thing happen]"
- "[topic] explained"
- "[topic] tutorial"
## Commercial Investigation
- "best [product category]"
- "[product A] vs [product B]"
- "[product] review"
- "[product] alternatives"
- "top 10 [products]"
## Transactional Intent
- "buy [product]"
- "[product] price"
- "[product] discount code"
- "[product] free trial"
- "order [product] online"
## Navigational Intent
- "[brand] login"
- "[brand] website"
- "[brand] support"
Step 4: Keyword Opportunity Analysis
Opportunity scoring:
| Factor | Low Competition Signal |
|---|
| Search volume | 100-1,000/month (sweet spot for new sites) |
| Keyword difficulty | Under 30 (tool-dependent) |
| SERP features | Few featured snippets, no ads |
| Top results | Forums, outdated content, thin pages |
| Domain authority | Low DA sites ranking |
Opportunity matrix:
| Volume | Difficulty | Priority |
|---|
| High | Low | 🔥 Top priority |
| Medium | Low | ✅ Quick wins |
| High | Medium | 📈 Long-term targets |
| Low | Low | ⚡ Easy content |
| High | High | 🎯 Authority builders |
| Low | High | ❌ Skip |
Step 5: Question-Based Keywords
Question patterns to generate:
| Question Word | Focus |
|---|
| How | Process, tutorial |
| What | Definition, explanation |
| Why | Reasoning, benefits |
| When | Timing, triggers |
| Where | Location, source |
| Which | Comparison, selection |
| Can/Could | Possibility, capability |
| Should | Recommendation, advice |
| Is/Are | Verification, validation |
Question generation template:
## Questions for: [Seed Keyword]
### How questions
- How to [action with keyword]?
- How does [keyword] work?
- How much does [keyword] cost?
- How long does [keyword] take?
### What questions
- What is [keyword]?
- What are the benefits of [keyword]?
- What is the best [keyword]?
- What [keyword] should I use?
### Why questions
- Why is [keyword] important?
- Why use [keyword]?
- Why does [keyword] fail?
### Comparison questions
- [Keyword A] vs [Keyword B]?
- Is [keyword] better than [alternative]?
- What's the difference between [A] and [B]?
Step 6: Topic Cluster Organization
Cluster structure:
## Topic Cluster: [Pillar Topic]
### Pillar Page (main keyword)
- Target: [High-volume keyword]
- Intent: [Informational/Commercial]
- Content: Comprehensive guide (3,000+ words)
### Cluster Content (supporting pages)
| Topic | Keyword | Intent | Internal Link |
| ------------ | --------- | -------- | ------------- |
| [Subtopic 1] | [keyword] | [intent] | → Pillar |
| [Subtopic 2] | [keyword] | [intent] | → Pillar |
| [Subtopic 3] | [keyword] | [intent] | → Pillar |
| [Subtopic 4] | [keyword] | [intent] | → Pillar |
Cluster example:
## Topic Cluster: Email Marketing
### Pillar Page
- Target: "email marketing guide"
- Intent: Informational
- Content: Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing
### Cluster Content
| Topic | Keyword | Intent |
| --------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------- |
| Getting started | "how to start email marketing" | Informational |
| Tools | "best email marketing software" | Commercial |
| Templates | "email marketing templates" | Informational |
| Automation | "email marketing automation" | Commercial |
| Metrics | "email marketing KPIs" | Informational |
| B2B focus | "b2b email marketing" | Commercial |
| List building | "how to build email list" | Informational |
Step 7: Competitor Gap Analysis
Gap analysis template:
## Competitor Keyword Gap Analysis
### Competitors Analyzed
1. [Competitor 1 URL]
2. [Competitor 2 URL]
3. [Competitor 3 URL]
### Keywords They Rank For (You Don't)
| Keyword | Volume | Difficulty | Competitor | Priority |
| --------- | ------ | ---------- | ----------- | ---------- |
| [keyword] | [vol] | [KD] | [who ranks] | [priority] |
### Content Gaps Identified
| Topic | Competitor Coverage | Your Coverage | Action |
| ------- | ------------------- | ------------- | ------------- |
| [topic] | 3 articles | 0 articles | Create pillar |
| [topic] | 1 article | Outdated | Update |
| [topic] | None | None | First mover |
Step 8: Keyword Prioritization
Prioritization framework:
| Criteria | Weight | Score (1-5) |
|---|
| Search volume | 20% | |
| Keyword difficulty | 25% | |
| Business relevance | 25% | |
| Conversion potential | 20% | |
| Content gap | 10% | |
Priority tiers:
## Keyword Priorities
### Tier 1: Immediate (This Month)
- Low difficulty + high relevance
- Quick wins for traffic
| Keyword | Volume | KD | Intent |
|---------|--------|----|----|
### Tier 2: Short-term (1-3 Months)
- Medium difficulty + commercial intent
- Revenue-driving content
| Keyword | Volume | KD | Intent |
|---------|--------|----|----|
### Tier 3: Long-term (3-6 Months)
- High difficulty + high volume
- Authority-building pillar content
| Keyword | Volume | KD | Intent |
|---------|--------|----|----|
Output Format
## Keyword Research: [Topic/Niche]
**Seed keywords:** [List of seeds]
**Target audience:** [Who you're reaching]
**Business goal:** [Traffic/Leads/Sales]
---
### Keyword List
| Keyword | Volume | KD | Intent | Priority |
| ------- | ------ | --- | ------ | -------- |
| | | | | |
### By Search Intent
**Informational:**
- [keywords]
**Commercial:**
- [keywords]
**Transactional:**
- [keywords]
---
### Topic Clusters
[Cluster organization]
---
### Question Keywords
[Question-based keywords for FAQ/content]
---
### Quick Wins (Low KD, Decent Volume)
| Keyword | Volume | KD | Content Type |
| ------- | ------ | --- | ------------ |
| | | | |
---
### Content Recommendations
1. [Recommendation 1]
2. [Recommendation 2]
3. [Recommendation 3]
Validation
Before completing:
Error Handling
- No seed keywords: Ask for main product/service or topic area.
- Too broad: Narrow with audience, location, or specific use case.
- No volume data: Note as "volume unknown" and prioritize by relevance.
- All high difficulty: Focus on long-tail variations or question keywords.
- No competitors identified: Search top 3 ranking for seed keywords.
Resources
