Keywords are the backbone of SEO. No matter how good your content is, if it doesn’t target the right keywords, your blog won’t rank, your website won’t get traffic, and your business will miss potential customers.
Understanding the types of keywords helps you:
- Create SEO-friendly content
- Bring the right audience
- Increase organic traffic
- Improve conversion rates
- Rank faster on Google
- Build a strong content strategy
In this huge guide, we will cover every major keyword type, real examples, comparison tables, intent-based classifications, beginner-friendly explanations, and advanced insights.
Let’s begin.
Table of Contents
What Are Keywords in SEO?
Keywords are words or phrases people type into Google to find information, products, services, or solutions.
Examples:
- “types of keywords”
- “best laptop under 50000”
- “how to start SEO”
You are reading this article because you searched a keyword, and Google showed you content that matched your intent.
Keywords help Google understand:
- What your content is about
- What users want
- How relevant your page is
- Whether your content should rank or not
In simple words:
Keywords connect users to your content.
Why Are Keyword Types Important in SEO?
Most beginners make the mistake of targeting random keywords. They choose keywords only based on search volume.
But SEO doesn’t work that way.
Choosing the right type of keyword helps you:
✔ Rank faster
✔ Get highly targeted users
✔ Improve click-through rate
✔ Reduce bounce rate
✔ Earn conversions, leads, or sales
✔ Improve topical authority
✔ Beat competitors easily
Different types of keywords help you target:
- Different stages of the buyer journey
- Different levels of search intent
- Different types of users
- Different locations
- Different content formats
That’s why understanding keyword types is essential.
Categories of Keyword Types
To make it simple, we will group all keyword types into 4 major categories:
1. Based on Length
(Short-tail, long-tail, etc.)
2. Based on Search Intent
(Informational, commercial, transactional)
3. Based on Targeting
(Geo keywords, audience-based keywords, seasonal keywords)
4. Based on Branding & Marketing
(Branded, non-branded, product keywords)
Below is a huge list of 22+ keyword types explained in detail.
All Types of Keywords
1. Keyword Types Based on Length
1. Short-Tail Keywords (Head Keywords)
These are broad keywords containing 1–2 words.
Examples:
- SEO
- Marketing
- Digital marketing
- Keyword research
✔ Pros
- High search volume
- Huge audience reach
- Good for brand exposure
❌ Cons
- Very high competition
- Hard to rank for
- Low conversion rate
- Not specific
Best For
Big brands, large businesses, and high-authority websites.
2. Medium-Tail Keywords
These contain 2–3 words and have moderate competition.
Examples:
- SEO course online
- Keyword types SEO
- Digital marketing services
✔ Pros
- Balanced competition
- Good search volume
- Easy to rank compared to short-tail
❌ Cons
- Not very specific
- Traffic may be broad
Best For
Blogs, category pages, service pages.
3. Long-Tail Keywords
Long, detailed, 3+ word phrases.
Examples:
- Best SEO course in Delhi
- How to do keyword research for beginners
- Types of keywords in SEO with examples
✔ Pros
- Low competition
- High conversion rate
- Easy to rank
- Perfect for beginners
❌ Cons
- Low individual search volume
Best For
Blogs, product pages, affiliate content, tutorials.
Comparison Table — Keyword Length Types
| Type | Length | Competition | Search Volume | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-tail | 1–2 words | Very High | High | SEO |
| Medium-tail | 2–3 words | Medium | Medium | SEO course |
| Long-tail | 3+ words | Low | Medium–Low | Best SEO course in Delhi |
2. Keyword Types Based on Search Intent
Search intent shows why the user searches something.
There are four major intent types.
4. Informational Keywords
Used when users want to learn something.
Examples:
- What is keyword research
- Types of backlinks
- How SEO works
Best For
Blogs, guides, tutorials, definitions.
5. Navigational Keywords
User wants to visit a specific website or brand.
Examples:
- YouTube login
- Semrush pricing page
- Amazon customer care
Best For
Brand-specific content, review blogs.
6. Commercial Investigation Keywords
Used when users compare products/services before buying.
Examples:
- Best SEO tools
- Ahrefs vs Semrush
- Top web hosting providers
Best For
Listicles, comparisons, affiliate blogs.
7. Transactional Keywords
Used when users are ready to buy.
Examples:
- Buy SEO course
- Hire SEO expert
- Download SEO checklist
Best For
Landing pages, service pages, product pages.
Comparison Table — Intent-Based Keyword Types
| Type | Purpose | Example | Best Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Informational | Learn something | What is SEO | Blogs, guides |
| Navigational | Search brand | Instagram login | Homepage |
| Commercial | Compare options | Best SEO tools | Listicles, reviews |
| Transactional | Ready to buy | Buy SEO tools | Landing pages |
3. Keyword Types Based on Targeting
8. Geo-Targeted Keywords
Keywords with a location.
Examples:
- SEO course in Dehradun
- Digital marketing agency near me
- Best restaurants in Delhi
Best For
Local SEO, small businesses, city-based services.
9. Industry-Specific Keywords
Based on niche or market.
Examples:
- SaaS marketing tools
- Hospital management software
- Real estate CRM
Target specific groups.
10. Audience-Based Keywords
Examples:
- SEO for beginners
- Diet plan for women
- Marketing for small businesses
11. Seasonal Keywords
Used during specific times of the year.
Examples:
- Black Friday deals
- Diwali gift ideas
- Summer fashion 2025
12. Evergreen Keywords
Always relevant.
Examples:
- How to lose weight
- On-page SEO checklist
- Social media marketing tips
13. Local Intent Keywords (Near Me Keywords)
Examples:
- Gym near me
- Electronics shop near me
- Digital marketing classes near me
Google auto-detects user location.
4. Keyword Types Based on Branding & Marketing
14. Branded Keywords
Examples:
- Nike sports shoes
- HubSpot CMS
- BIDM institute
15. Non-Branded Keywords
Examples:
- running shoes
- CMS tools
- digital marketing institute
16. Product Keywords
Examples:
- iPhone 15 Pro
- Noise earbuds
- MacBook Air M2
17. Service Keywords
Examples:
- SEO services
- Website development service
- PPC management company
18. Competitor Keywords
Target competitors’ terms.
Examples:
- Semrush alternatives
- Ahrefs vs Moz
- Similar to Canva
19. Customer-Defining Keywords
Examples:
- shoes for women
- laptop for students
- SEO course for beginners
20. Synonym Keywords (Related Keywords)
Examples:
- Search engine optimization = SEO
- Online shop = ecommerce store
21. Question Keywords
Examples:
- How to do keyword research?
- Why SEO is important?
- Which are the types of keywords?
22. Long Query Conversational Keywords
Examples:
- How can I learn SEO at home for free?
- What is the best tool to find keyword difficulty?
These are common in voice search.
Real Case Studies on Keyword Types (Beginner + Intermediate Level)
Case Study 1: How a Beginner Blogger Ranked With Long-Tail Keywords
A new blogger published an article titled:
“Best budget DSLR cameras for beginners in India”
Targeted:
- long-tail keywords
- question keywords
- product keywords
Results:
✔ Ranked on page 1 within 45 days
✔ Gained affiliate sales
✔ Traffic increased from 0 to 5,000/month
Why?
Because long-tail keywords are easy to rank and highly specific.
Case Study 2: A Local Business Ranking With Geo Keywords
A digital marketing institute targeting:
- SEO course in Dehradun
- digital marketing classes near me
- best SEO institute in Dehradun
Results:
✔ Appeared in local Google results
✔ Improved calls and inquiries
✔ Increased local visibility
Local intent + geo keywords = best combo.
Case Study 3: E-commerce Store Using Transactional + Product Keywords
Target keywords:
- buy wireless earbuds
- Noise earbuds price
- wireless earbuds under 2000
Results:
✔ Higher conversion rate
✔ Reduced ad spend
✔ More qualified buyers
How to Choose the Right Keyword Type (Step-by-Step Guide)
Step 1: Identify User Intent
Ask:
Is the user learning, comparing, or buying?
Step 2: Start With Long-Tail Keywords (Best for beginners)
They are easy to rank and bring more targeted traffic.
Step 3: Add LSI Keywords
Use related words to improve context.
Step 4: Analyze Competition
Tools you can use:
- Google Keyword Planner
- Ubersuggest
- Semrush
- Ahrefs
- AnswerThePublic
Step 5: Focus on Low KD + Medium Volume
Keyword difficulty = how hard it is to rank.
Step 6: Create Topic Clusters
Example cluster:
- Main: types of keywords
- Subtopics: search intent, LSI keywords, long-tail keywords, etc.
Most Common Keyword Mistakes (Avoid These)
- Targeting only high-volume keywords
- Ignoring search intent
- Overusing keywords
- Not updating keyword list
- Targeting wrong audience keywords
Best Practices for Using Keywords Effectively
- Use keyword in H1, H2, and intro
- Add LSI keywords naturally
- Maintain 1–1.5% keyword density
- Use internal links
- Add keyword in meta tags
- Use keyword variations
FAQs (15+ Questions)
1. What are the main types of keywords?
Short-tail, long-tail, informational, transactional, commercial, branded, and LSI.
2. Which keyword type is best for beginners?
Long-tail keywords.
3. How many keywords should be used in a blog?
1 main keyword + 10–20 LSI/semantic keywords.
4. Are short-tail keywords good for ranking?
Not for beginners—they have high competition.
5. What tool is best for keyword research?
Semrush, Ahrefs, Ubersuggest, Google Keyword Planner.
6. What is keyword intent?
The reason behind a search (learn, compare, buy).
7. What are LSI keywords?
Related phrases that improve context.
8. What are transactional keywords?
Keywords used when people are ready to buy.
9. How often should keywords be updated?
Every 3–6 months.
10. Do long-tail keywords convert better?
Yes, because they target specific intent.
11. What are seasonal keywords?
Keywords that trend during specific seasons or festivals.
12. What are geo-targeted keywords?
Keywords with a location (city, area, region).
13. Are branded keywords important?
Yes, for building trust and authority.
14. What is keyword difficulty?
A metric showing how hard it is to rank for a keyword.
15. What are question-based keywords?
Keywords framed as questions, great for featured snippets.
16. Can I mix keyword types?
Yes! The best SEO strategy is a combination.
17. How do I find LSI keywords?
Google autocomplete, People Also Ask, related searches.
Conclusion
Keywords are the heart of SEO. But not all keywords are the same.
Understanding all types of keywords helps you:
- Target the right audience
- Rank higher
- Boost traffic
- Increase conversions
- Build a smart content strategy
Whether you are a beginner or intermediate SEO learner, using the correct keyword types will help you grow faster, rank better, and compete strongly in 2025.
