What are keywords in SEO?
Inside this lesson
- What a keyword is in SEO
- The difference between short-tail and long-tail keywords
- Why long-tail keywords suit new websites
Short answer
Keywords are the words and phrases people type into Google and other search engines. In SEO, you choose keywords that match what your customers search, then build pages around them. Short-tail keywords are broad, like “shoes.” Long-tail keywords are longer and more specific, like “running shoes for flat feet.” New sites usually win long-tail keywords first.
What a keyword is
A keyword is any word or phrase someone types into a search engine. It can be one word, like “adobo.” It can be a full question, like “how to cook chicken adobo without soy sauce.”
In SEO, keywords connect two things: what people search for, and the page that answers it. When your page uses the same words your customers use, search engines can match it to their search.
People call these search queries too. A search query is the exact text someone typed. A keyword is the query you decide to target.
Short-tail vs long-tail keywords
| Short-tail keyword | Long-tail keyword | |
|---|---|---|
| Example | laptop | budget laptop for students Philippines |
| Length | 1 to 2 words | 3 or more words |
| Search volume | High | Low |
| Competition | Very high | Lower |
| Meaning | Unclear | Clear |
Search volume is how many times people search a keyword each month. Short-tail keywords have high search volume, but big brands already own those results.
Long-tail keywords have less search volume. But the people searching them know exactly what they want. Someone typing “budget laptop for students Philippines” is close to buying. Someone typing “laptop” could want anything.
Why new websites should start with long-tail keywords
- Less competition. Fewer strong sites target them, so you can rank sooner.
- Clearer meaning. You know what the searcher wants, so writing the right page is easier.
- Better visitors. Specific searches bring people more likely to buy, book, or inquire.
- They add up. Ten long-tail keywords with 50 searches each bring more visitors than one keyword you never rank for.
A seed keyword is the broad starting word, like “cake.” You grow long-tail keywords from it: “custom birthday cake Quezon City,” “eggless cake delivery Makati.”
Sorter: short-tail or long-tail?
Tap Short-tail or Long-tail for each keyword.
-
hotel
Answer: Short-tail.
-
pet-friendly hotel in Tagaytay with pool
Answer: Long-tail.
-
milk tea
Answer: Short-tail.
-
best milk tea franchise under 300k
Answer: Long-tail.
-
virtual assistant
Answer: Short-tail.
-
how to become a virtual assistant with no experience
Answer: Long-tail.
Quick quiz
Common mistakes
- Chasing one big keyword. A new site rarely ranks for “insurance.” Pick specific phrases first.
- Guessing instead of checking. Use the words customers actually type, not your company’s internal terms.
- Ignoring local words. Add the city or area if you serve one, like “in Cebu” or “near Ortigas.”
- Forgetting Taglish searches. Many Filipinos search in mixed English and Tagalog, like “paano mag apply ng passport.”
Your action
Key terms
- Keyword
- A word or phrase you target so your page shows up for matching searches.
- Search query
- The exact words someone typed into a search engine.
- Short-tail keyword
- A broad keyword of one or two words.
- Long-tail keyword
- A specific keyword of three or more words.
- Search volume
- How many times a keyword is searched each month.
- Seed keyword
- A broad starting word used to find more keyword ideas.
Questions beginners ask
How many keywords should one page target?
One main keyword, plus a few closely related phrases. Lesson 1.5 shows how to plan this.
Do keywords still matter with AI search?
Yes. AI answers and search engines still need to match your page to what people ask. The words you use help them understand your page.
Related lessons
Want someone to handle SEO for your business while you learn? The team at Remar Digital can help.