Unlocking the Power of Seed Keywords in SEO
I know starting any SEO project can feel overwhelming, like standing at the foot of a giant mountain. Where do you even begin to find the right words that will bring people to your site? It is easy to feel stuck before you even take the first step!
I am here to tell you that the secret to a successful SEO strategy starts with a simple, foundational step. I promise that mastering this will give you a clear path forward. Let’s start at the very beginning and define: What is Seed Keywords?
What is Seed Keywords? Your Starting Point
A Seed Keyword is the very first, broad, general term I use to define my industry, product, or niche. Think of it as the single core topic from which all my other ideas will grow. For example, if I sell coffee beans, my seed keywords might be “coffee,” “beans,” or “espresso.”
These terms are usually very short, highly relevant, and have huge search volume, but I do not necessarily plan to rank for them. I use them as the initial input for my keyword research tools. They are the seeds that grow my entire list of target keywords.
From Seed to Strategy
I take these broad seed keywords and put them into my SEO tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs. The tool then spits out hundreds of related, more specific phrases and questions. I use these results to discover the best primary and secondary keywords for my website.
This process ensures that my final list of keywords is deeply rooted in my business offerings. I am starting with what my business is truly about, which makes my whole SEO plan consistent. This is the foundation upon which I build my entire content map.
CMS Platforms and Seed Keyword Foundation
My CMS choice does not directly handle seed keywords, but the platform’s features determine how efficiently I can expand those seeds into my full keyword strategy. I need a platform that makes implementing a large keyword set simple.
WordPress
With WordPress, I use my seed keywords to map out the main categories and tags for my site structure. I ensure my high-level pages, like the main blog page, are loosely related to my seed term. The platform’s flexibility makes it easy to create many pages from one seed idea.
Shopify (for Ecommerce)
For my Shopify store, my seed keywords directly inform my main product categories and website navigation structure. For a seed like “running shoes,” my categories would be “Men’s Running Shoes” and “Women’s Running Shoes.” I ensure the URL slugs for these core pages reflect the seed.
Wix and Webflow
When using Wix or Webflow, I use my seed keywords to define the scope of my entire website project from the start. I ensure my main landing page title and H1 heading clearly reflect the seed term. This is crucial for early focus and clear site identity.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, I make sure the site architecture is organized around my core seed keywords from day one. I build the system to easily handle new categories and sub-categories that will grow from those seeds. I prioritize having a clean, simple URL structure that reflects the seed terms.
Industry Applications of Seed Keywords
I use seed keywords to narrow my focus and define my market regardless of the industry. The seed represents the core user intent I want to capture.
Ecommerce
For an ecommerce site, my seed keywords are typically the product type, like “jewelry” or “t-shirts.” I use this to find all the different types, materials, and styles people search for. The seed helps me discover new product lines to sell.
Local Businesses
I use two types of seed keywords for local businesses: the service and the location. Seeds might be “plumber” and “Denver.” I combine these to generate targeted primary keywords like “emergency plumber Denver.” This defines my local market exactly.
SaaS (Software as a Service)
In the SaaS space, my seed keywords are usually the problem I solve, such as “project management” or “file sharing.” I use these seeds to generate all the related feature and comparison keywords I need to target. The seed defines the whole software category I operate in.
Blogs
For my blog, seed keywords define my niche or core subject area, like “vegan cooking” or “personal finance.” I use these seeds to generate thousands of article ideas, ensuring all my content stays on topic. The seed guarantees I become an expert in a specific area.
FAQ Section
Q: Do I need to rank for my Seed Keywords?
No, I do not expect to rank for broad seed keywords because they are too competitive. I use them only for research. I focus my ranking efforts on the much more specific primary and secondary keywords they generate.
Q: How many Seed Keywords should I start with?
I recommend starting with 5 to 10 of the absolute most general, relevant terms for your business. Starting with too many will make the research process overwhelming. I focus on quality over quantity for the initial seeds.
Q: What is the difference between a Seed Keyword and a Primary Keyword?
A Seed Keyword is a tool for research (e.g., “shoes”). A Primary Keyword is the specific phrase you optimize a page for (e.g., “best comfortable running shoes”). The primary keyword is the result of researching the seed.
Q: Can I use competitors’ brand names as Seed Keywords?
Yes, I often use competitor brand names as seeds in my research tools. This helps me find all the keywords they rank for, which I can then analyze and potentially target with my own content.
