Types of Keywords in SEO: A Deep Dive Guide for Beginners

 

A complete overview of different types of keywords used in SEO to improve search rankings.

 

This article is part of our  Complete Keyword Research Guide, where we explain the full keyword research strategy step-by-step. 

 

If you've ever wondered why some blog posts rank on Google's first page while others get buried on page 10 — keywords are a huge reason. But here's the thing: not all keywords are created equal. There's a whole universe of keyword types in SEO, and knowing when and how to use each one is the difference between getting traffic and getting ignored. In this guide, we'll break down every single type of keyword, explain it in plain English, and back it up with real-world examples. Let's go! 🚀

📑 Table of Contents — Jump to Any Section

1. What Are Keywords in SEO?
2. Why Do Keywords Matter?
3. Types of Keywords by Length
4. Types of Keywords by Search Intent
5. Branded vs. Non-Branded Keywords
6. Geo-Targeted / Local Keywords
7. Special Keyword Types (LSI, Seed, Evergreen & More)
8. How to Choose the Right Keywords for Your Blog
9. Frequently Asked Questions
10. Conclusion

What Are Keywords in SEO?

A keyword is any word or phrase that a person types into Google (or any search engine) when they're looking for something. From Google's perspective, keywords are signals — they tell the search engine what your content is about and who it should be shown to.

If you've already read our article on How Google Works- Crawlimg, Indexing, and Ranking you know that Google constantly scans billions of pages. Keywords are what help Google connect the right page to the right search. That's why choosing the right keyword for every article you write is step number one in any SEO strategy.

Real World Example: When you type "best phone under 15000 in India" into Google, that whole phrase is a keyword. Google scans millions of pages to find the ones that best match that query and ranks them. The pages that used that keyword (and related terms) correctly are the ones that show up first.

Why Do Keywords Matter?

Keywords are the bridge between what people are searching for and the content you create. Without the right keywords, even the best-written article can sit in the dark, unseen by anyone.

Here's what keywords help you do:

• Attract the right audience — people already interested in what you write about
• Tell Google what your page is about so it can rank you correctly
• Align your content with the reader's search intent (what they actually want)
• Get free, organic traffic without spending money on ads
• Build authority in your niche over time as you rank for more keywords

Think of keywords like labels on a shelf in a library. If your book has no label (keyword), the librarian (Google) doesn't know where to put it — so no one finds it.

  

Overview of different types of keywords used in SEO.

 
Types of Keywords by Length

The most basic way to classify keywords is by their length. This directly affects how competitive they are and how likely you are to rank for them as a new blog.

Short-Tail

"SEO"

Volume: Very High

Competition: Very High

Mid-Tail

"SEO keyword types"

Volume: Medium

Competition: Medium

Long-Tail

"types of keywords in SEO for beginners"

Volume: Low

Competition: Low ✅

 1. Short-Tail Keywords (Head Keywords)

Short-tail keywords are broad, generic search terms. They have massive search volume (millions of searches per month) but are also incredibly competitive. For a new blog, trying to rank for short-tail keywords is like a rookie cricket player trying to bat against Virat Kohli on Day 1. Not the move.

Examples:
"SEO" → 1M+ monthly searches — ranked by Moz, Ahrefs, Google itself
"keywords" → 800K searches — nearly impossible for small blogs
"digital marketing" → 2M+ searches — forget it as a beginner!

When to use: Target these only after your blog has significant authority (DA 40+). For now, use them only naturally within your content — not as your primary target keyword.

 2. Mid-Tail Keywords

The sweet middle ground. Mid-tail keywords are more specific than short-tail but not as narrowly focused as long-tail. They have decent volume with moderate competition — reachable once your blog has some articles and a few months of history.

Examples:
"SEO keyword types" → ~12,000 monthly searches
"keyword research tools" → ~40,000 searches
"types of SEO" → ~22,000 searches

When to use: Great target once you have 15–20 published articles and have ranked for a few long-tail keywords first.

3. Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are your best friend as a new blogger. They are highly specific phrases that mimic exactly how people search in real life. Yes, fewer people search for them — but the people who do are much more likely to read your whole article and take action.

Examples:
"types of keywords in SEO for beginners" → Low competition, perfect for this article!
"how to do keyword research for a new blog" → Targeted, low competition
"best free keyword research tools for beginners in India" → Very specific, very rankable

Real-world stat: 70% of all Google searches are long-tail keywords (Source: Moz). That means most of Google's traffic is up for grabs with the right long-tail strategy!

When to use: RIGHT NOW. Every new article you write should target a long-tail keyword. This is your #1 strategy in the early stages of your blog.

Types of Keywords by Search Intent

This is where SEO gets really interesting. Google doesn't just match keywords — it tries to understand why someone is searching. That "why" is called search intent, and matching your keyword to the right intent is what separates good SEO from great SEO.

There are four main types of search intent:

📚 Informational Intent

The user wants to learn something. They're not ready to buy — they just want knowledge.

Keywords: "what is SEO", "how does Google rank pages", "types of keywords explained"

🧭 Navigational Intent

The user is looking for a specific website or page. They already know where they want to go.

Keywords: "Ubersuggest login", "Google Search Console", "Canva sign in"

🛒 Transactional Intent

The user is ready to take action — buy, sign up, or download. High conversion potential!

Keywords: "buy SEO course", "Ahrefs free trial", "download Canva app"

🔍 Commercial Investigation Intent

The user is comparing options before making a decision. They're close to buying but not yet decided.

Keywords: "Ubersuggest vs Ahrefs", "best SEO tools for beginners", "Semrush vs Moz review"

 Why Does Search Intent Matter?

If someone searches "what is keyword research" (informational) and lands on a page that immediately tries to sell them a ₹10,000 course — they'll leave instantly. Google notices this (high bounce rate) and drops your ranking. Matching your content to the right intent is what keeps people on your page longer and signals quality to Google.

Real-World Example:
You're writing a blog about "best free SEO tools" — this is Commercial Investigation Intent. Your article should compare tools, give pros and cons, and help the reader decide. It should NOT be a tutorial on how to use one tool (that's informational). Match the content type to the intent!

Before writing any article, ask yourself: "What does someone typing this keyword actually WANT?" Answer that question, and you've nailed search intent.

Branded vs. Non-Branded Keywords

4. Branded Keywords

Contains a Brand Name

Branded keywords include the name of a specific company, product, or person. People who search branded keywords already know the brand and trust it — they just want to find it quickly.

Examples:
"Ubersuggest keyword research" → Branded keyword (Ubersuggest)
"Ahrefs free trial" → Branded keyword (Ahrefs)
"SEO with Dilli blog" → That's YOUR branded keyword, Rani! Build towards this. 🔥

For bloggers: As your brand grows, people will search your name or blog name. These visitors are your most loyal audience. This is why building a brand (like "SEO with Dilli") matters beyond just the content.

5. Non-Branded Keywords

Generic Terms — No Brand Name

Non-branded keywords don't mention any brand. They're the main source of organic traffic for most blogs because they're how new readers discover you for the first time.

Examples:
"types of keywords in SEO" → Non-branded
"how to do keyword research" → Non-branded
"best SEO strategy for beginners" → Non-branded

This entire article targets a non-branded keyword — "types of keywords in SEO"!

For bloggers: 90% of your content should target non-branded keywords. This is how you attract new visitors who've never heard of you.

Geo-Targeted / Local Keywords

Location-Specific

Local or geo-targeted keywords include a specific location — city, state, country — in them. They're essential for local businesses and freelancers targeting clients in specific areas.

Examples:
"SEO freelancer in Hyderabad" → Local keyword
"digital marketing agency Chennai" → Local keyword
"best SEO consultant Mumbai" → Local keyword

For you as an SEO freelancer: When you start offering services, create a page targeting "SEO freelancer [your city]" — that's free, organic, local leads coming to YOU!

Even without a "location" word, Google often auto-detects local intent. "Best restaurant near me" is local even without a city name because of the phrase "near me".

 Special Keyword Types Every SEO Should Know

6. LSI Keywords (Latent Semantic Indexing)

Context-Building Keywords

LSI keywords are words and phrases that are semantically related to your main keyword. Google uses them to understand the full context of your article — not just the keyword you stuffed in 20 times.

Think of it this way: if your main keyword is "apple", Google looks for surrounding words like "iPhone", "MacBook", "Tim Cook" — which signal tech content. Or "fruit", "tree", "nutritious" — which signal food content. LSI keywords remove that ambiguity.

Main Keyword: "types of keywords in SEO"
LSI Keywords to include naturally: search intent, keyword difficulty, keyword volume, long-tail, short-tail, keyword research tools, organic traffic, search engine optimization, Google ranking

How to Find LSI Keywords (Free Method)

• Type your main keyword in Google → Scroll to the bottom → See "Searches related to..." — those are LSI keywords!
• Use Google's autocomplete — type your keyword and see what Google suggests
• Use LSIGraph.com (free tool) — enter keyword → get list of related terms
• Check the "People Also Ask" box on Google SERP — each question contains LSI terms

 To better understand concepts like search intent and keyword difficulty, read our guide on Core Keyword Research Concepts Every SEO Must Know.

7. Seed Keywords

Starting Point Keywords

A seed keyword is the broad root term you start with during keyword research. You plug it into a tool, and the tool branches out hundreds of related keyword ideas from it. You never target seed keywords directly — they're just your starting point.

Example: You open Ubersuggest → Type "keyword" (seed keyword) → Ubersuggest shows you 500+ keyword ideas including "keyword research", "keyword difficulty", "keyword planner", "types of keywords", etc. Now you have article ideas!

8. Evergreen Keywords

Always Relevant, Always Traffic

Evergreen keywords are search terms that remain consistently relevant year after year. They don't spike during events and don't fade. Writing evergreen content means your article can bring in traffic for years without being updated constantly.

Evergreen Examples:
"how to do keyword research" → Always searched
"types of keywords in SEO" → Always relevant
"what is on-page SEO" → Never goes out of style

Non-Evergreen Example:
"Google algorithm update March 2024" → Relevant only in 2024. Traffic dies after a few months.

For your blog: As a beginner, focus 80% of your content on evergreen keywords. They're your long-term traffic machines! 🚀

9. Trending Keywords

Short-Term Traffic Spike

Trending keywords are topics that suddenly get massive search interest because of a current event, launch, or viral moment. They can bring a huge traffic spike — but it's temporary.

Examples:
"ChatGPT for SEO" → Trended massively in 2023 when ChatGPT launched
"Google SGE update" → Trending when Google announced AI in search

How to find trending keywords: Use Google Trends (trends.google.com) — it's completely free and shows you what's spiking in searches right now.

10. Negative Keywords

Used in Google Ads (Not Organic SEO)

Negative keywords are terms you tell Google not to show your ad for. They're a paid ads (Google Ads) concept, not organic SEO — but every SEO professional should understand them because clients often ask about it.

Example: You're running an ad for a "paid SEO course". You add "free" as a negative keyword. So when someone searches "free SEO course", your paid ad won't appear — saving you money on clicks from people who never intended to pay.

When does it apply to you? When you start running Google Ads for clients as an SEO freelancer, negative keywords become essential for protecting their ad budget.

How to Choose the Right Keywords for Your Blog

Now that you know all the types, here's a simple step-by-step process to choose your keyword for any new article:

Step 1 — Start with a Seed Keyword

Think about your topic. What's the main word? For this article: "keywords". Enter it in Ubersuggest or Google Keyword Planner to get ideas.

 Step 2 — Filter by Keyword Difficulty (KD)

As a new blog, always filter for keywords with KD under 30 (on Ubersuggest). Under 20 is even better. Anything above 50 is a no-go for now.

Step 3 — Check Search Volume

Look for keywords with at least 500–1,000 monthly searches. Too low = no traffic even if you rank. Too high = too competitive.

Step 4 — Match Search Intent

Google the keyword. Look at the top 5 results. Are they blog posts? Videos? Product pages? Your content should match whatever format is already ranking — that's Google telling you what searchers actually want.

Step 5 — Check if You Can Add Value

Read the top-ranking articles. Can you write something more detailed, more beginner-friendly, with better examples? If yes — go for it. If the competition is writing 4,000-word masterpieces and you'd write 800 words, skip it for now.

Real-World Example — This Very Article:
Seed keyword → "keywords" → Found "types of keywords in SEO" → KD: Low → Volume: 1,200/month → Intent: Informational ✅ → Added real examples + LSI terms + FAQ schema → Published. That's the full process!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are the most common questions beginners ask about types of keywords in SEO:

What are the main types of keywords in SEO?

The main types include short-tail, mid-tail, and long-tail keywords (by length); informational, navigational, transactional, and commercial investigation keywords (by intent); branded and non-branded keywords (by brand); geo-targeted keywords (by location); and special types like LSI, seed, evergreen, trending, and negative keywords.

What is the difference between short-tail and long-tail keywords?

Short-tail keywords are broad, 1–2 word phrases with high search volume and very high competition (e.g., "SEO"). Long-tail keywords are specific, 4+ word phrases with lower search volume but much lower competition and higher conversion rates (e.g., "types of keywords in SEO for beginners"). For a new blog, long-tail keywords are always the smarter choice.

What are LSI keywords and do they still work?

LSI keywords are semantically related terms that help Google understand the full context of your content. Yes, they still work — not as a stuffing technique, but as a natural way to enrich your writing. When you write naturally and thoroughly about a topic, you'll naturally use LSI keywords without even trying.

Which keyword type is best for a new blog?

Long-tail keywords with informational intent are the absolute best for a new blog. They have lower competition, which means faster ranking. They match the educational content that new bloggers write best. And they attract readers who want to learn, making them more likely to explore your other articles too.

How do I find the right keywords for free?

Use these free tools: Ubersuggest (free plan), Google Keyword Planner, Google Autocomplete, Google's "Searches related to..." section, Google Trends, and LSIGraph.com. Between these, you have everything you need to find great keywords without spending a rupee.

Conclusion — Keywords Are Your SEO Foundation

Understanding the types of keywords in SEO is not just theory — it's the practical foundation of every content decision you'll make as a blogger, content creator, or SEO professional. Once you can look at a keyword and instantly identify its type, intent, and difficulty level, you're thinking like an SEO expert.

Here's your quick recap of what we covered:

• By length: Short-tail (hard to rank), Mid-tail (medium), Long-tail (best for beginners)
• By intent: Informational, Navigational, Transactional, Commercial Investigation
• By brand: Branded (existing audience) vs. Non-branded (new discovery)
• By location: Geo-targeted keywords for local or freelance SEO work
• Special types: LSI (context), Seed (starting point), Evergreen (long-term traffic), Trending (short spike), Negative (paid ads)

Now it's your turn. Go open Ubersuggest, type a seed keyword related to your niche, and start identifying which keyword types you see. The more you practice this, the faster it becomes second nature.

And if you found this helpful, dive into our next article on How to do Keyword Research step by step  where we take everything in this guide and put it into a hands-on, live practice session.