SEO and keyword research are closely related, which is why people sometimes think they serve the same purpose, but they’re actually very different. Let’s first take a look at what each of them really is:
What is SEO?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
SEO is the work you do to get your website noticed by search engines. It’s what helps your pages rank higher in search results on Google and other search engines.
So when you hear “follow best SEO practices,” this includes making your content clear and useful, improving your site’s structure, speeding up your pages, and getting other sites to link to yours. Basically, SEO is everything that helps search engines see your website as relevant and valuable.
What is Keyword Research?
Keyword research, on the other hand, is the process of finding the words and phrases people type into search engines when looking for information, products, or services.
It tells you what words people are using in the search bar to get the information they want. This helps you create content that matches what people are actually looking for, so your website has a better chance of showing up in search results.
To put it simply, SEO is the work you do to get your website noticed or to “rank” in search engines, while keyword research is the process of finding the specific words and phrases people are searching for so you know what to target.
For example, if you search “Facebook” in your browser, the first result should be facebook.com. That’s SEO at work – it makes sure the most relevant website or page appears at the top of search results for that keyword. If it doesn’t appear, it usually means the site hasn’t been optimized enough for search engines to recognize it as the most relevant result.
