How to Choose the Best Keywords for SEO in 2025

Are you creating quality website content but not seeing traction in search rankings? You’re not alone—and the problem often lies in keyword selection.

Choosing the right SEO keywords is the foundation of any successful organic strategy. Whether you’re optimizing a blog, landing page, or product listing, strategic keyword research helps connect your content to what your audience is actually searching for.

Let’s walk through a step-by-step approach to finding the best keywords for SEO in 2025.

Step 1: Start With Seed Keywords

Seed keywords are the core terms that describe your product, service, or industry. They’re your starting point.

To generate seed keywords:

• Think about your core offerings and audience pain points
• Analyze data from Google Search Console and Google Analytics
• Explore relevant hashtags on social media
• Talk to your sales or support team

Once you’ve built a list, plug these seed keywords into a keyword research tool like Semrush or Ahrefs to unlock broader keyword ideas and variations.

Step 2: Find Low-Competition Opportunities

High search volume keywords are great—but not if they’re too competitive. That’s why keyword difficulty (KD) is essential.

What to look for:

• Use your keyword tool’s difficulty score (typically 0–100)
• Sort keywords by difficulty to find low-hanging fruit
• Look for keywords with KD under 30 and some search volume (ideally 100+ per month)

Tip: Semrush allows you to see keyword difficulty scores relative to your domain, making it easier to assess where you can realistically compete.

Step 3: Target Keywords with Search Traffic Potential

Balancing difficulty with traffic is key. A low-difficulty keyword is only valuable if people are actually searching for it.

Use your tool’s filters to uncover terms with:

• Moderate keyword difficulty (0–30)
• Decent average monthly volume (start with 100+)

Pro tip: Save your shortlist into a keyword list so you can analyze and refine it later.

Step 4: Match Keywords to Search Intent

Not all keywords are created equal—especially when it comes to intent. Before you publish, make sure you know what kind of answer or action the searcher is expecting.

Align your content format and keyword target to the user’s goal.

Step 5: Analyze SERP Features

Today’s search results include more than just links. SERP features like Featured Snippets, People Also Ask, AI Overviews, and Local Packs offer added visibility.

Tools like Semrush can show you which features are present for each keyword—so you can prioritize those that increase click-through potential.

Step 6: Think Like Your Audience

Effective keywords don’t just have volume—they resonate with your ideal customer and match your offerings.

Ask yourself:

• Does this keyword reflect a real user need?
• Do I offer a solution or product for this search?
• Does it fit my brand voice and content strategy?

If the answer is yes across the board, the keyword likely has strong potential.

Step 7: Run a Competitor Gap Analysis

Sometimes, your best keywords are hiding in plain sight—on your competitors’ websites.

Use a tool like the Semrush Keyword Gap Tool to compare your domain to others in your space. You’ll uncover:

• Keywords your competitors rank for but you don’t
• Shared keywords where you can improve positioning
• Untapped niche terms others are missing

This approach is great for uncovering quick-win opportunities and building a smarter content roadmap.

If you’re ready to take the guesswork out of keyword research and boost your organic traffic in 2025, Earn SEO can help. As a top-rated SEO agency in New York, we specialize in data-driven keyword strategies that connect your content with the right audience. Whether you’re just starting or refining your SEO game, our team offers the tools and expertise you need to rank higher and convert more. Contact us today to start optimizing smarter.