Keyword research is the foundation of any successful blog. Whether you're writing for fun or aiming to grow your site into a profitable online business, learning how to do keyword research the right way can make all the difference. In this guide, we’ll walk through the exact process we used on www.theboringmagazine.com to go from publishing casually to building a strategy that attracts consistent organic traffic.
This is not just theory. These are actionable tips and techniques that helped us grow our blog's visibility in a crowded space, without any prior SEO experience.
Keyword research is the process of finding and analyzing actual search terms that people enter into search engines like Google. These keywords guide the content you create, helping ensure that your blog posts match what people are actively looking for.
Instead of guessing what to write about, keyword research helps you:
For new bloggers, this is crucial because it allows you to compete in search without needing a massive domain authority or backlink profile.
When we started, we wrote whatever felt interesting. Some posts got a few clicks from social media, but most never brought long-term traffic.
Once we implemented keyword research:
It changed everything. Instead of guessing, we started writing with a purpose.
Here’s the exact method we use:
Before diving into tools, get clear on your niche. At The Boring Magazine, our focus is lifestyle and cultural commentary, which includes everything from trend pieces to personal insights.
Ask yourself:
This will help you focus your keyword research and avoid spreading yourself too thin.
Seed topics are broad areas within your niche. For example:
From each of these, brainstorm subtopics. For example, under "social media trends," you might explore:
These become the base for keyword exploration.
When starting out, we didn’t invest in expensive tools. Here are the ones we used:
a. Google Search Suggestions Start typing your topic into Google and look at autocomplete suggestions. Example: Type “Snapchat planets” and you’ll get variations like:
b. AnswerThePublic Enter a topic and get a visual map of related questions people are asking.
c. Google Trends: Identify if interest in your keyword is rising, seasonal, or fading.
d. Reddit and Quora Use these platforms to find real user questions in your niche.
e. Ubersuggest (Free Tier) Get search volume, difficulty, and content ideas.
As a beginner, you don’t want to go after highly competitive terms like "lifestyle tips" or "personal growth."
Instead, choose long-tail keywords like:
We applied this on The Boring Magazine with topics like:
“How Big Is 8 Inches Compared to Everyday Objects?”
It’s specific, answers a real question, and has little competition.
Before writing, Google your keyword and analyze:
If the top results are outdated or thin, you have a real opportunity.
Different keywords suit different post formats:
Match the keyword with a content style that will best serve the user intent.
Instead of creating isolated posts, group related keywords into clusters.
For example, under "Snapchat planets," you could have:
Link these posts together to boost topical authority.
Keyword research isn’t just about SEO; it’s about understanding what your audience is actively looking for. For new bloggers, it’s the fastest way to stop publishing into the void and start gaining traction.
Applying even basic keyword research made a measurable difference in both traffic and engagement. We went from guessing to growing.
If you’re just getting started, use the tools and steps above. Start small, stay consistent, and over time, your blog can become a go-to source for the topics you care about most.
