The subject of whether or not to attempt rank on zero search traffic keywords is addressed in a Google work hours hangout by Googlers.
The questioner noted that they are ranking for keywords with no search volume and asked if they should target them for ranking purposes.
Keyword targeting with zero search volume
Zero Volume of Search Currently popular in marketing, keyword targeting is receiving considerable attention. Its name is unclear for a technique used for keyword research. In actuality, the method concentrates on responding to long-tail search inquiries. Rarely searched-for keywords are known as long-tail ones.
Extremely long keyword phrases are commonly wrongly referred to as “longtail” keywords. This can’t be. The defining characteristic is how infrequently anything is looked up. It’s also a good strategy because it makes sense to optimize for a phrase that people would search for.
In light of this, Lizzi’s suggestion to consider how users may search for and use such words inside the material comes full circle.
What are keywords with zero search volume?
Zero search volume keywords are highly specific long-tail queries for which search history data cannot be provided by tools or for which there is little search activity.
Keywords with zero search volume are those for which there is no search activity or for which no search activity is shown by any tools. One of the reasons for this is that in addition to producing material with high search volume, one should also target keywords with low or no search volume.
Compared to keywords having high search numbers, these queries are frequently longer and more detailed. There have been hundreds and thousands of searches for the keyword “link building.”
Although there is no search volume for the term “link building for beauty salon,” it is still worthwhile to optimize since it may be used by an SEO or marketing expert who needs links developed for a beauty salon.
Why there is a huge opportunity in zero-volume keywords?
Because it’s considered that low-volume estimates (from a 3rd party research tool) equal little traffic, most SEOs have a natural impulse to disregard zero-volume keywords. Smart SEOs will realize that volume isn’t the sole consideration, though. Even when search traffic is low or underappreciated, these long-tail keywords are typically high-intent (also known as high-converting) terms that are located further down the sales funnel.
Low- to no-volume keywords were, by definition, low-competitive since keyword tools haven’t yet assessed these queries’ full potential.
Knowing the function of keyword search volumes
Let’s quickly define search volume before discussing its involvement in the search process. The phrase “search volume” describes a metric that indicates how many people have searched for a particular term or query. The search volume must be taken into account when creating the content plan because it shows how popular the search term is. In a perfect world, one would search for terms with a good search volume and minimal to no competition. Finding keyword phrases with less competition, however, that appeal to your audience is also a successful strategy. It’s also possible to come across long-tail or user-generated keywords with nil search volume.
The majority of tools display the typical search volume for the last 12 months. We can all agree that one of the crucial aspects of keyword research is search volume. Additionally, they aid in prioritizing content subjects, comprehending search trends, and developing estimates based on such trends.
The “Search Demand Curve” is another significant aspect that jumps out while undertaking keyword research. An illustration of The Search Quantity Demanded can be found below. The total search volumes are displayed on the Y-axis. It starts at 0 and can reach millions of results at the top. The various keyphrases that a user could search for are represented on the X-axis. The graph makes it abundantly evident that the majority of search volumes are accounted for by terms with low volume.
Tools for validating keyword suggestions
Once you’ve got a few prospective keywords in mind, you can start confirming them and perhaps uncovering even more. The following resources can be used to verify keywords:
Search on Google
Once you have some keyword suggestions, you should Google them right away. Google Autocomplete suggestions make it simple to find out what people are looking for. Say “cloud computing” as your primary keyword. Google will make an effort to guess whatever you’re looking for as you input this keyword.
You might be able to find terms that truly have search volume when you test these variations. But because you have to go over each recommendation one by one, doing this manually might be taxing.
Respond to the public
AnswerThePublic can produce hundreds of long-tail phrase variations of a text you enter using the same information as Google Autocomplete suggestions.
The keyword variations are broken down by AnswerThePublic into “what,” “who,” “where,” “when,” “why,” “which,” “are,” “will,” and “how” inquiries. Then, all the alternatives are shown in a visually appealing way that is simple to incorporate into a folder and presentation.
People also ask
When you enter a term or search into Google, you’ll see a section called “People Also Asked” with three to six question displays. The more questions you click on, the more questions appear next to each one. People frequently ask these questions, which are typically connected to the search query you entered into Google.
However, it might be challenging to sort through all of the questions that appear when you enter terms into Google. The use of AlsoAsked in this situation. AlsoAsked empowers individuals Asking inquiries will also provide useful keywords which people are using in their searches.
Search console by Google
You are already reaping the benefits of using actual first-party data from Search Console to find long-tail insights, which may then potentially be better utilized with more specific SEO & keyword targeting.
An excellent example of how to use this platform is eCommerce and the seemingly limitless number of inquiries that are inventory-specific. We can view various searches that have generated impressions & clicks from Search On google in the Performance area of GSC. This information can be quite illuminating, pointing to keyword opportunities and gaps that would otherwise go undetected by more traditional methods of keyword research.
Paid SEO resources
Paid SEO tools like Ahrefs or Semrush, in contrast to the other tools on this list, typically display information on search traffic, keyword complexity, SERP results, and other factors for each keyword idea you look up.
Using paid SEO tools, you can also discover what queries people are having about your sector, your goods, or your services.
Free SEO resources
Numerous free SEO tools are available that provide insight into the limitless world of zero-volume keywords. In addition to the obvious choices like Google’s Keyword Planner, Term Suggest is a great tool that we like.
Even while Term Suggest doesn’t offer precise search traffic information, it makes for a great brainstorming tool, especially for long-tail keywords or developing content strategy ideas. In a nutshell, it uses Google’s Query Suggest Apis to produce suggested phrases. So it’s quite basic and straightforward to use, but it’s also huge.
Local sources of data
You don’t have to be conducting SEO for a tiny firm or franchise to employ localized data sources, which can provide a special perspective on finding zero-volume keywords.
There are countless places to explore for local information and insights, from hashtag trend tools to regional web forums and periodicals that focus on particular industries.
Conclusion
You have an advantage because your competitors are not currently concentrating on these keywords. The likelihood that unique, thought-provoking and optimized content will rank for a given phrase increases when there is less keyword competition.
Although there may not be much search activity, online businesses in competitive marketplaces can target specific keywords and take control of a search space with little opposition.
Frequently Asked Questions
There isn’t a single, relevant answer to this query. High-volume keywords could seem perfect (and obvious) for boosting website traffic, but they might be too broad or too wide. They are also quite expensive and fiercely competitive.
The number of times a certain term is searched on a search engine inside a given month is known as the search volume.
The relevancy of each particular keyword, search volume, and user intent are three elements you must take into account while conducting SEO keyword research.