My Keyword Selection Method.

To start off, I am cheap...really cheap. I hate paying for anything I figure I can learn and do myself - I won't buy a hammer if I could find a rock that would be effective. So buying tools to find good keywords/phrases wasn't happening. So I use this following method in keyword/phrase selection.

1. I write down about 3 phrases, searches I think I would use during a search for the product/service/information I need words for.
2. I put those phrases into the https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal tool.
3. Copy the results for terms that have searches occurring, ranking them from the most searched to the least - not all the list mind you, just till I get a feeling I have enough.
4. Put a term, one at a time, in Google search surrounded by quotes "key phrase". I look for how many total results and the type of page that comes up number one. I just move to the next term if it is 100,000 and a .com's index page figuring that term is too competitive to start out with (I file the term away for the future). If the term has pulled under 100,000 and the first page listed is not the index page I will check the incoming links to the landing page and the anchor text used. If the link number and quality is too high, keep moving to the next term repeating until the right balance of competition and searches occurring balance out.
5. Start writing content for the terms selected and follow all the great stuff this forum has to offer.

This is how I do it, seems to be effective, what can I improve?

You and I are soul brothers. However you come to being successful it up to you. I absoluely love innovation and contrarian approaches to things. Also, you and I use the same basic method for finding keyphrases.

Side note: How much have I paid for any kind of SEO software... $ZERO. It is possible if you THINK. I know I could earn more or earn more faster by using the tools YOU think are mandatory. Guess what? I make a lot just by using the best tool God gave me... It is between my ears.

NavyCS and Seo_Am I use to do it that way too. I used to do it all manually and I was told to buy keyword software. I never believed it was any good. I didn't want to waste good money(I am stingy unless it is personal stuff :lol but I finally broke down and bought keyword elite. Since then I got Keyword Discovery and nichebot and I won't go back. I now get much more research done.

Now don't get me wrong. I am not trying to sell you two. What works for you is fine. I use to do it that way and it worked for me then as well, but I wouldn't go back.

I don't know either of your exact ages but I take it your both over 45. How close am I?

EDIT: Again I want to emphasize I am not trying to sell anyone on my methods. What works for me may not work for you and what works for you may not work for me. At times we can collaborate but alot of times we need to work uniquely as people seem to work best that way.

I do the same manner along with it I also search in overture keywords tool also....

Match the keywords list from Google tools and overture (Yahoo) tool and check it in all major SE (G, Y!, MSN)... For overture I go to inventory dot overture .com...... as it give month count of keywords....

Thanks guys for the great tips..this was my whole point of visiting today as I am not hitting the keywords I want and I have dropped in a few keywords that were helping me. Needless to say traffic is very minimal. I will use your suggestions tonight

I look forward to hearing how your search goes. Visit often, read and ask questions - the learning here is fun!

You use your nose for thinking???

Nope! I can usually smell a good or bad deal...

THis is how you can improve. You do that research, which is fine, by no means exhaustive, but fine.


You take hittail, or some other tool to interpret your web stats. You build KW lists and impressions from the ACTUAL KW used to hit your site. That's the most golden list you can have. Then you repeat the process of searching up those KW (if you have the need for more.)

Rinse, wash, repeat.

I agree keyword rearch is a continuous process for building and maintaining your site. Tools like Hittail really only become useful if you have visitors coming in the first place - the method I use is for the initial determination of the words when starting from scratch. The hittail, longtail method is outstanding for raising the chick - the one I mention hatches the egg

Sometimes we get so stuck on specific keywords (especially if we've been around long enough) and forget to re-research. Search queries and patterns change over time sometimes. Terms that may have been hot a year or so ago might change and/or the term may be better long tailed. I know it did for me when I ran some keyword suggestions today and I was glad I did. The only thing constant is change...

Use hittail ; it will show you your sites long tail keywords.

To quote www.hittail.com/blog/2007/04/hittails-30-second-elevator-pitch-at.html




Edit: Looks like I spoke too soon, djstreet beat me to it!

As I stated in this thread, "The hittail, longtail method is outstanding for raising the chick - the one I mention hatches the egg."

I will try it and see if it works !

Guys...I've finally decidied I needed something different when it comes to keyword analysis and after reading Visio's post on his blog about keywords elite, I made the jump. All I can say is the program is truly amazing when used in conjunction with the other keyword resources Visio mentions. I'm not going back either. Keywords Elite kicks b_tt!