Types of Keywords in SEO – 8 Keyword Types To Know
In the fast evolving world of digital marketing, keywords are the foundation of effective SEO. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned marketer, understanding the different types of keywords can help you build stronger content strategies, improve search engine rankings, and reach the right audience at the right time.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the 8 essential types of keywords in SEO, explaining what they are, how they work, and how to use them effectively to boost your online visibility.
1. Short Tail Keywords
Short-tail keywords (also known as “head keywords”) are broad search terms that typically contain one or two words. They are general in nature and tend to have a very high search volume.
Key Traits:
- High competition
- Broad intent
- Massive traffic potential
- Lower conversion rates
Examples:
- “Shoes”
- “Marketing”
- “Coffee”
When to Use:
Short-tail keywords are best used on your main website pages, such as homepage or broad product categories. They are great for driving traffic and brand exposure, but harder to rank for due to fierce competition.
2. Long Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are more specific and descriptive phrases, usually made up of three or more words. They target a narrower audience and often have a clearer intent.
Key Traits:
- Lower competition
- Lower search volume per keyword
- Higher conversion rates
- Clearer user intent
Examples:
- “Best running shoes for flat feet”
- “How to start a food blog in 2025”
- “Affordable SEO tools for beginners”
When to Use
Use long-tail keywords in blog posts, landing pages, and product descriptions to attract highly targeted visitors who are more likely to convert.
3. Short Term Fresh Keywords
Short-term fresh keywords are trending or time-sensitive phrases that spike in search volume due to current events, holidays, or viral trends. They usually deliver traffic for a limited time.
Key Traits:
- Trend-driven
- High traffic in short bursts
- Seasonal or event-based
- Time-sensitive
Example:
- “Oscars 2025 winners”
- “Black Friday tech deals 2025”
- “iPhone 17 launch date”
When to Use:
These are ideal for news articles, promotional campaigns, and seasonal blog posts. To benefit, you need to publish content quickly and optimize it before the trend peaks.
4. Long Term Evergreen Keywords
Evergreen keywords are consistently relevant terms that people search for year after year. These keywords bring steady traffic over time and are excellent for long-lasting content.
Key Traits:
- Low to medium competition
- Constant search interest
- High long-term value
Examples:
- “How SEO Agencies”
- “Best content marketing strategies”
- “Tips for growing indoor plants”
When to Use:
Use evergreen keywords in your cornerstone blog posts, tutorials, and how-to guides. These keywords are ideal for building authority and driving consistent organic traffic.
5. Transactional Keywords
Transactional keywords signal a strong intent to take action usually a purchase or sign-up. These users are at the bottom of the sales funnel, ready to convert.
Key Traits:
- High commercial intent
- High conversion potential
- Specific to buying decisions
Examples:
- “Buy noise-canceling headphones online”
- “Best deals on DSLR cameras”
- “Sign up for project management software”
When to Use:
Place transactional keywords on product pages, landing pages, and service descriptions. These are your money-makers, so content should be optimized to convert visitors.
6. Informational Keywords
Informational keywords are used by searchers who are looking to learn or explore. These users are in the research phase and not yet ready to make a purchase.
Key Traits:
- High search volume
- Low commercial intent
- Used in blog and educational content
Example:
- “What is content marketing?”
- “How to brew French press coffee”
- “Why is sleep important for health?”
When to Use:
Use them in blog posts, FAQs, and explainer articles. They’re essential for building trust and moving visitors down the sales funnel.
7. Navigational Keywords
Navigational keywords are used by people who already know the brand or website they want to visit. These searches help direct traffic to specific pages.
Key Traits:
- Branded searches
- High click-through rate for known websites
- Low competition (for branded terms)
Examples:
- “Netflix login”
- “Ahrefs pricing”
- “Mailchimp support page”
When to Use:
Ensure your brand is optimized for these searches by ranking #1 for your own name and key offerings. Use structured data, site links, and Google Business profiles to enhance visibility.
8. LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) Keywords
LSI keywords are contextually related terms that help search engines understand the topic and theme of your content. They add depth and relevance to your pages.
Key Traits:
- Thematically relevant to your main keyword
- Not synonyms, but conceptually linked
- Improve semantic SEO
Examples:
If your main keyword is “best digital marketing”, LSI keywords might include:
- “content strategy”
- “social media campaigns”
- “SEO tools”
When to Use:
Sprinkle LSI keywords naturally throughout your content, especially in headings, image alt text, and meta descriptions. They support your main keywords and improve topical relevance.
FAQs on Keyword Types in SEO
Q1. What types of keyword should I use for blog content?
For blog content, long-tail and informational keywords are most effective. They help attract readers who are in the learning phase and searching for detailed answers or tutorials. Long-tail keywords also improve the chances of ranking due to lower competition.
Q2. Are short tail keywords still relevant in 2025?
Yes, but they’re best used with caution. While short tail keywords attract high traffic, they’re highly competitive and often lack specific intent. Use them for brand awareness or in combination with more specific terms to maximize impact.
Q3. How do transactional keywords affect SEO?
Transactional keywords is a type of keyword that have high conversion potential. They attract users ready to buy, so optimizing landing pages or eCommerce pages with these keywords can lead directly to revenue. Use persuasive CTAs and clean design for best results.
Q4. Can I use multiple types of keywords in the same piece of content?
Absolutely! In fact, it’s a good SEO practice to blend primary keywords with long-tail, LSI, and even transactional terms when relevant. This helps cover more user intents and improves your chances of ranking for related queries.
Q5. What tools can I use to find types of keyword?
Popular tools include:
- Google Keyword Planner – Google keyword planner is good for volume and competition data
- Ubersuggest – Great for finding long-tail and LSI keywords
- SEMrush / Ahrefs – Ideal for keyword difficulty, intent analysis, and SERP features
- AnswerThePublic – Excellent for discovering informational and question-based keywords
Q6. What’s the difference between evergreen and short-term keywords?
Evergreen keywords stay relevant over time and bring steady traffic, while short-term fresh keywords are trend based, bringing traffic for a short period. Both are important depending on your content strategy.
Q7. How often should I update my keyword strategy?
Review your keyword strategy every 3 to 6 months. Trends, competition, and user behavior shift frequently, so staying current ensures your SEO remains effective.
Final Thoughts
The right type of keywords strategy can be the difference between getting lost in the crowd and dominating your niche. By understanding the 8 essential types of keywords in SEO are short-tail, long-tail, short-term fresh, long-term evergreen, transactional, informational, navigational, and LSI, you can target users at every stage of their journey.
Each type serves a specific purpose, and when used together strategically, they form a solid foundation for scalable, sustainable search engine success.
If you’re serious about growing your organic traffic, start by auditing your existing keywords, identifying content gaps, and aligning new content to these keyword types. With the right mix, you’ll not only improve rankings but also build a loyal, converting audience.