Types of SEO Keywords: Complete Guide with Categories

The words or phrases you type into Google or any search engine are called keywords. But have you noticed that every search is different? That’s because there are many types of keywords used for different purposes. 

Some are short and general, while others are long and specific. These keyword types are grouped into different categories, and here we’ll go through each one in a simple way so you can understand how they work.

So, without waiting further, let’s dive in!

SEO Keyword Categories 

I just thought that before just jumping into the detailed summary of SEO keyword types, first let me provide you with the quick table list of all the categories with keyword types listed: 

Types of SEO Keywords

In the above table, as you can see, the left one lists categories, and on the other hand, there are types enlisted that come under those keyword categories. So, in this part, we will look at each type with great detail. 

Based on Role in SEO Content

These keywords define how you use them within your article or topic.

1. Primary Keywords

Primary keywords are the main focus of your page or post. They tell search engines what your content is mainly about. Every article or page has one main keyword, and that is your primary keyword.

For example, if your topic is “Advantages of Internet,” then this phrase is your primary keyword because it clearly shows the main subject of the content.

Where to use primary keywords:

• In the title of your post
• In the meta description
• In the introduction
• In the URL
• A few times naturally within the content

All keywords that directly describe your main topic are considered primary keywords.

2. Secondary Keywords

Secondary keywords are the supporting words or phrases that help explain your main topic in more detail. They are related to the primary keyword and help your content rank for similar or connected searches.

For example, if your main keyword is “Advantages of Internet,” then your secondary keywords can be:

• Advantages of Internet for students
• Advantages of Internet in business
• Advantages of Internet in online education

These keywords give your article more depth and make it easier for search engines to understand your content.

All related phrases that expand or support your main keyword are considered secondary keywords.

Based on Search Intent

These keywords show what the user wants to do or find when they search.

3. Informational Keywords

Informational keywords are used when people want to learn or understand something. They usually start with words like what, why, when, where, or benefits of. The goal is not to buy or visit a page, but simply to get information or knowledge.

Examples:

• What is blogging
• Benefits of exercise

These keywords are mostly used in blogs, guides, or tutorials that answer questions.

4. Navigational Keywords

Navigational keywords are used when someone wants to reach a specific website, app, or brand. The user already knows where they want to go, they just type it in Google instead of the full URL.

Examples:

• Facebook login
• YouTube Studio

These keywords help drive traffic directly to known platforms or brand pages.

5. Commercial Keywords

Commercial keywords are used when people are researching or comparing before making a purchase. They often show that the user is interested but not yet ready to buy. These searches include reviews, comparisons, or product lists.

Examples:

• Best laptops under $1000
• Ahrefs vs SEMrush

They are common in review posts, comparison articles, and buying guides.

6. Transactional Keywords

Transactional keywords are used when users are ready to take action, such as buying, subscribing, or ordering. These keywords clearly show strong buying intent.

Examples:

• Buy iPhone 15 online
• Order pizza near me

They are often used in eCommerce pages, service pages, and landing pages.

7. Local Intent Keywords

Local intent keywords are used when users want to find nearby businesses, shops, or services. These include city names or phrases like “near me”. They help local businesses appear in search results for nearby customers.

Examples:

• Software house in Karachi
• Best coffee shop near me

These keywords are perfect for local SEO and map-based searches.

Based on Word Length

These keywords show how broad or specific a search term is.

8. Short-Tail Keywords

Short-tail keywords are 1–2 words long and have a broad meaning. They get a lot of searches but face high competition. Since they are very general, it’s hard to know what exactly the user wants.

Examples:

• Mobile phone
• Shoes

These are great for generating traffic, but they are harder to rank for and less targeted. As we’ll see in other keyword types, short-tail keywords often represent broad or unclear intent.

9. Mid-Tail Keywords

Mid-tail keywords are 3–4 words long and are more specific than short-tail ones. They balance search volume and clarity, making them easier to target and rank for.

Examples:

• Best Android mobile phone
• Digital marketing agency

They show that the user has a clearer idea of what they want but is still exploring options.

10. Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are 5 or more words long and are very specific. They usually have low competition but bring high conversion rates, since they match exactly what users are searching for.

Examples:

• Buy Samsung S20 in DHA Lahore

These keywords are ideal for eCommerce, local services, or niche blogs. As we’ve seen in other keyword types, long-tail keywords often represent specific and clear intent, which makes them more valuable for targeted SEO.

Based on Target Location

These keywords show the geographic area you want to target.

11. Local Keywords

Local keywords are used to target people in a specific area, city, or neighborhood. They often include words like “near me”, “in [city name]”, or “around [area name]”. These keywords are perfect for local businesses, shops, or services that want nearby customers.

Examples:

• Car wash near me
• Restaurants in New York

As we’ve seen with other keyword types, local keywords help make searches more specific and increase local visibility.

12. Global Keywords

Global keywords are used when your goal is to reach a worldwide audience. They are not limited to any city, country, or region and usually focus on universal topics.

Examples:

• Advantages of Internet
• How to start a blog

These keywords are ideal for blogs, online platforms, and businesses that serve international users.

13. Regional Keywords

Regional keywords target people from a specific country or region, not just one city. They help you focus on larger geographic areas with common interests or language.

Examples:

• Best universities in Pakistan
• Top real estate companies in UAE

Regional keywords are useful for national businesses or educational and service websites that want to rank within a particular region.

Based on Time & Season

These keywords show how their popularity changes over time.

14. Evergreen Keywords

Evergreen keywords stay relevant all year round. Their search demand remains steady because people always look for this information, no matter the season or year. These keywords bring consistent, long-term traffic and are ideal for blogs, guides, and tutorials.

Examples:

• How to lose weight
• SEO basics

As we’ve seen in other keyword types, evergreen keywords keep performing well because their topics never go out of trend.

15. Seasonal Keywords

Seasonal keywords become popular only during specific times, events, or festivals. They bring a spike in traffic during those periods but drop afterward. Such keywords are great for promotions, sales, or event-based campaigns.

Examples:

• Black Friday deals 2026
• Christmas sale ideas

These keywords help you plan time-based marketing strategies and capture temporary search interest.

Based on Relationship to Main Keyword

These keywords show how closely they relate or connect to your main keyword.

16. Keyword Variants

Keyword variants are slight changes of your main keyword. They may include different word orders, singular/plural forms, or small grammar changes. These help your content appear for multiple search patterns that users might type.

Examples:

• Advantages of Internet
• Internet advantages
• Advantage of Internet

As we’ve seen in other keyword types, using variants helps your page cover different ways people search for the same topic.

17. Synonym Keywords

Synonym keywords are words that have the same or similar meaning as your main keyword. They make your writing natural and help you reach users who use different words for the same idea.

Examples:

• Advantages
• Benefits
• Pros
• Merits

These keywords improve content variety and reduce repetition without changing the meaning.

18. LSI (Latent Semantic Index) Keywords

LSI keywords are contextually related words or phrases, not direct synonyms. They help search engines understand the overall theme of your content. For example, if your keyword is about “Advantages of Internet,” you can include related topics like:

Examples:

• Online education
• Social media
• Digital communication

LSI keywords strengthen the content’s context and help it rank for broader related searches.

19. Semantic Keywords

Semantic keywords are conceptually connected to your main keyword. They go beyond direct meaning and show how topics relate in a wider context. For example, if your keyword is “Artificial Intelligence,” related semantic terms could be:

Examples:

• Machine learning
• Neural networks
• Automation

These keywords help search engines see how deeply your content covers a subject.

Based on Core Foundation

These keywords form the base of your keyword strategy. They are used in the research stage to build all other types like long-tail or semantic keywords.

20. Seed Keywords

Seed keywords are the basic starting words or phrases you use when beginning keyword research. They are short, general, and represent the main theme of your business or topic.

Examples: Digital marketing, Fitness, Smartphones

Seed keywords help you find new ideas and build lists of related, long-tail, and LSI keywords.

21. Root Keywords

Root keywords are the main base words without modifiers. They are the simplest form of a keyword and often act as the “root” that other keywords grow from.

Examples: “Marketing” in “Digital marketing” or “Email marketing”

Root keywords help define your niche and serve as the foundation for topic clusters.

22. Modifier Keywords

Modifier keywords are words you add to your seed or root keywords to make them more specific. They can include adjectives, price ranges, actions, or intent words. 

Examples: Best digital marketing tools, Cheap fitness classes, Buy smartphones online

Modifier keywords help target more focused searches and improve content relevance.

Based on Business & Marketing Goals

These keywords define the goal or purpose behind your marketing strategy.

23. Product Keywords

Product keywords are used to target specific items or product categories. They attract users who are searching for particular products to buy or learn about. These are common in eCommerce stores and product review pages.

Examples:

• iPhone 15 case
• Gaming laptop

As we’ve seen in other keyword types, product keywords help focus on specific items with clear buying intent.

24. Service Keywords

Service keywords are related to professional or business services. They help attract clients looking for help, support, or expertise rather than a product. These keywords are useful for agencies, freelancers, or local service providers.

Examples:

• SEO agency in Dubai
• Web design company

They work best for websites that offer services instead of products.

25. Competitor Keywords

Competitor keywords include the names of other brands or businesses in your industry. They are often used in comparison or alternative-based content, helping you attract users who are exploring options.

Examples:

• Ahrefs vs SEMrush
• Shopify alternatives

These keywords let you position your brand as a better or different choice in the market.

26. Branded Keywords

Branded keywords include specific brand names in the search. They show that the user already knows or trusts a brand and is looking for more details, reviews, or products from it.

Examples:

• Nike shoes
• Apple Watch reviews

Branded keywords are strong for brand reputation, product pages, and review content.

27. Non-Branded Keywords

Non-branded keywords are generic terms that don’t mention any brand name. They are used when users are searching broadly for a product or service type without brand preference.

Examples:

• Running shoes for men
• Smartwatch for Android

These keywords help attract new audiences who haven’t decided on a brand yet, making them great for awareness and traffic growth.

Based on Buyer Journey Stage

These keywords show where the user is in the buying process, from learning to making a purchase.

28. Awareness Keywords

Awareness keywords are used when users are just learning about a topic or problem. At this stage, they want information or education, not to buy anything yet. These keywords help introduce your brand or content to new audiences.

Examples:

• What is SEO
• Why social media marketing matters

As we’ve seen in other keyword types, awareness keywords are great for blogs, guides, and educational posts that attract early-stage users.

29. Consideration Keywords

Consideration keywords are used when users are comparing options or exploring solutions. They already understand the topic and are now looking for the best tools, products, or services to meet their needs.

Examples:

• Best SEO tools 2026
• Ahrefs vs Moz

These keywords fit well in comparison posts, list articles, or product reviews, helping users make an informed choice.

30. Decision Keywords

Decision keywords are used when users are ready to take action, like buying a product or hiring a service. They show strong purchase intent and are often used in sales or service pages.

Examples:

• Buy SEO tool subscription
• Hire digital marketing agency

These keywords are ideal for conversion-focused content, where the goal is to turn visitors into customers.

Based on SEO Strategy or Platform

These keywords show how and where they are used across different platforms or SEO methods.

31. Question Keywords

Question keywords start with words like what, how, why, when, or where. They reflect users who are looking for answers or step-by-step guidance. These are perfect for blog posts, FAQs, and tutorial-based content.

Examples:

• How to start a blog
• Why SEO is important

As we’ve seen in other keyword types, question keywords help attract informational searches and boost engagement through direct answers.

32. Voice Search Keywords

Voice search keywords are natural, conversational phrases that people use when speaking to smart devices like Google Assistant or Siri. They are usually long-tail and question-based, matching how people talk rather than type.

Examples:

• What’s the best laptop for students?
• Where can I find a pizza place open now?

These keywords are great for local SEO and mobile users, where quick, spoken answers matter most.

33. Video Keywords

Video keywords are designed for YouTube and other video search engines. They help videos rank better by matching what users type in video searches. Such keywords often start with how to, tutorial, or review.

Examples:

• How to edit videos in CapCut
• iPhone 15 unboxing review

These keywords are essential for video titles, descriptions, and tags to increase visibility on video platforms.

34. Hashtag Keywords

Hashtag keywords are used on social media platforms to group content and boost discovery. They help users find posts, trends, or topics by using a # tag before the keyword.

Examples:

• #digitalmarketing
• #aiart
• #fitnessgoals

Hashtag keywords work best for social SEO, helping content reach a wider audience through trending topics and communities.

Based on Competition Level

These keywords show how hard or easy it is to rank for them.

35. High-Competition Keywords

High-competition keywords are very popular and used by many websites. They have a lot of searches, but ranking for them is difficult because of strong competition. These keywords often require high-quality content, backlinks, and SEO effort.

Examples:

• SEO tools
• Best smartphones

As we’ve seen in other keyword types, high-competition keywords are usually short-tail or broad, which makes them harder to target.

36. Low-Competition Keywords

Low-competition keywords are easier to rank for because fewer sites target them. They are often long-tail or niche keywords, with more specific intent. These keywords are useful for new websites or content that targets a precise audience.

Examples:

• Affordable SEO tools for students

Low-competition keywords help drive targeted traffic and are ideal for smaller blogs or niche businesses.

Based on Match Type

These keywords define how closely a search term must match your chosen keyword. They are mostly used in Google Ads and keyword research to control which searches trigger your content or ad.

37. Exact Match Keywords

Exact match keywords show your ad or content only when someone types exactly the same phrase (or a very close version of it). This gives you the most precise control and helps avoid irrelevant clicks.

Examples: Buy iPhone 15 , Digital marketing course

Exact match keywords work best when you want targeted traffic and know exactly what people are searching for.

38. Phrase Match Keywords

Phrase match keywords show your ad or content when the search includes your keyword phrase in the same order, but may have extra words before or after it.

Examples: Buy iPhone 15 online, Best digital marketing course for beginners

Phrase match gives a balance between reach and control, it captures more searches than exact match but still keeps relevance.

39. Broad Match Keywords

Broad match keywords show your ad or content for related searches, synonyms, or similar meanings, even if the exact phrase isn’t used.

Examples: If your keyword is running shoes, it may also trigger results for sports sneakers or jogging footwear.

Broad match keywords help you reach a wider audience, but they may also attract unrelated searches, so they work best when you use them with filters or negative keywords.

Based on Target Audience

These keywords show who the content or product is meant for.

40. B2B Keywords

B2B keywords target businesses instead of individual consumers. They are used when companies are looking for tools, software, or services to improve their operations.

Examples:

• CRM software for agencies
• ERP for small enterprises

As we’ve seen in other keyword types, B2B keywords focus on specific professional needs rather than general users.

41. B2C Keywords

B2C keywords target individual consumers who want to buy products or services for personal use. These keywords are usually more direct and show personal interest or intent to purchase.

Examples:

• Best smartwatch for teens
• Buy running shoes online

B2C keywords work well for eCommerce, lifestyle, and consumer-focused content.

42. Niche Keywords

Niche keywords focus on a very specific audience or interest. They help attract users who are highly targeted and often passionate about a topic.

Examples:

• Vegan skincare products
• WordPress speed plugins

Niche keywords, like other long-tail keywords we’ve seen, bring more qualified traffic even if the search volume is smaller.

Based on Advertising and PPC Use

These keywords are mainly used for paid campaigns like Google Ads.

43. Negative Keywords

Negative keywords are words or phrases you exclude from your ads to avoid showing them to irrelevant users. They help save money and improve ad targeting by preventing clicks from people who aren’t interested in your product or service.

Example:

• If selling premium watches → exclude cheap watches, free watches

As we’ve seen in other keyword types, negative keywords refine your targeting so your ads reach the right audience.

44. High-Intent Keywords

High-intent keywords are used by users who are ready to take action. These show a clear purchase or conversion intent and work best in paid campaigns.

Examples:

• Buy online
• Order now
• Free trial

High-intent keywords help ads reach people who are most likely to convert, making campaigns more effective.

Based on SEO Technology and Content Strategy

These are modern keywords used for advanced SEO and content strategies.

45. Contextual Keywords

Contextual keywords are words naturally related to the main topic in your content. They help search engines understand the theme and relevance of your page.

Example:

• Mobile optimization (used while discussing website speed)

As we’ve seen in other keyword types, contextual keywords strengthen the overall meaning of your content.

46. Programmatic Keywords

Programmatic keywords are template-based or dynamically generated for multiple pages. They help create content for many locations or products without manually writing each page.

Examples:

• Best hotels in [City]
• Top restaurants in [Area]

These keywords are great for large websites with many pages targeting different locations or products.

47. Zero-Click Keywords

Zero-click keywords are queries where Google shows the answer directly in search results, so users don’t need to click any link. These are common for quick facts, conversions, or definitions.

Examples:

• Today’s date
• USD to PKR

Zero-click keywords help your site appear in featured snippets or answer boxes.

48. Intent-Based Keywords

Intent-based keywords are grouped by what the user wants to do: Know, Go, Do, or Buy.

Examples:

• Know: What is SEO
• Go: Visit Facebook
• Do: Start a blog
• Buy: Purchase hosting

These keywords make it easier to match content with user goals, increasing engagement and conversions.

Final Note

In this guide, we have covered all the main types of keywords and how they work. Whenever you hear a fancy keyword name or an older term, you now know what it means and how it fits in SEO.

The most important keywords are “primary” and “secondary,” while all others revolve around what people are searching for and why.

Remember, every keyword has its own role. Even if some have modern or fancy names, each one is unique and useful. Understanding this helps you create better content, reach the right audience, and improve your SEO results. And, yes, by using these keywords wisely, you can make content that connects with people and brings the right visitors to your site.

Keep learning, keep optimizing, and happy SEO!

FAQs 

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions related to types of keywords: 

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