Semantic SEO is the process of optimising your web pages around topics instead of individual key phrases. This basically means optimizing your content for the true intent of your users, not just answering a simple question.
Google loves to send searchers to pages which are very insightful and where readers/searchers will find exactly what they’re looking for.
How Does Semantic SEO Work?
Semantic SEO works by understanding user intent and the broader meaning of words within a context. Then, answering search queries to help users find the most relevant results.
Semantic SEO doesn't serve random exact-match pages from the web. Instead, it allows search engines to find in-depth knowledge on the topic and serve it to the user.
What are Semantic Keywords?
Semantic keywords are key phrases closely related to your primary keyword. They're an essential part of semantic SEO.
If you search on Google for "digital marketing," you'll see a list of related phrases that you can use in your content.
These phrases can help you create more in-depth knowledge by expanding on them in your content.
Semantic keywords aren't exact synonyms to your main keyword.
The Importance of Semantic SEO
In its early days, Google used to rank pages and show content based only on keywords.
All you had to do was find a primary keyword, use it in the title, body text, and images to claim the first spot on the SERPs. So, digital marketers abused this by focusing on keyword density and neglecting quality.
Since then, Google has been on a mission to its users and serve them the best experience.
Today, search engines take into consideration exact-match words. Yet, they wouldn't necessarily consider them an important ranking factor.
Semantic SEO gives businesses new ways of attracting highly targeted customers. Search is no longer dominated by high-authority websites, all ranking at the top.
Create content that covers multiple aspects of any topic. You'll get a fair chance of claiming high rankings on many pages, especially if you combine semantic SEO with featured snippets.
You can also use semantic keywords to enrich your content and make it cultivate its' depth. That allows you to avoid keyword stuffing and repetitive keywords while making the flow more conversational and natural.
How To Use Semantic SEO To Grow Your Traffic
To find semantic keywords for any topic, all you have to do is enter your main keyword in Google. Then look out for the following:
1. Google Suggestions
Google will suggest some related sub-topics for you.
2. People also ask:
“People also ask” is another way you can find semantic keywords that come in the form of questions.
You can use these longtail keywords to create subheadings for your content and answer specific queries.
3. Related searches
Scroll down to the bottom of the SERP, and you’ll find “Searches related to.” This method gives you eight key phrases that are related to your main keywords.
You may use these phrases throughout your content to give it more depth of information. And you can also click on one of the results to generate even more related terms and queries.
Semantic SEO Tools
Using the right tools in any process will make your life easier. There are a some great tools that can help you optimise your web pages around topics instead of individual key phrases. Here's a few of them:
Serpstat Clustering Tool
Spyfu’s
Text Optimizer
A Top Tip!
When using semantic keywords, be sure to use a conversational tone in your writing and to maintain a natural flow of words. Try understanding user intent and search queries based on the context.
Only then you'll be able to serve a better experience to your visitors.
Semantic SEO helps you broaden your topic and cover more ideas in your articles. However, if the content you create is mediocre, you'll never boost your traffic.
How Can We Help?
Wanting to take your keyword research strategy to the next level? Get in touch with us today and we’ll set you up with a free strategy session.
Alternatively, check out our training courses for up to date lessons in the latest marketing and SEO practises that will help you get a leg up on your competition!
