Query space coverage measures how comprehensively you target all relevant search variations for a topic. Map entire query spaces using keyword research tools and search console data for complete topical coverage.
Ever feel like you are writing content for a lot of different keywords, but you are not sure if you are covering everything people are searching for? It can be tough to know if your website is a real authority on a topic. But what if I told you there is a way to find out and fill in all the gaps? I am going to talk about something called query space coverage. I have been in this game for 15 years, and I have learned that this is the key to creating content that people actually want to read. I am going to explain what is query space coverage and give you some simple, actionable tips to make your content work smarter for you. You will walk away knowing how to get more of the right people to your site with less work.
So, what is query space coverage? It is a measure of how well your website’s content covers all the different search queries related to a specific topic. Think of the “query space” as all the possible questions a person could have about a topic. A good query space coverage means your website has a piece of content that answers most, if not all, of those questions. For example, a website with good query space coverage for “gardening” would have content on “how to plant vegetables,” “best soil for flowers,” “gardening tips for beginners,” and a lot more.
This is a major part of good SEO because it tells Google that your website is a true authority on a topic. When you have a piece of content that answers a lot of related questions, you are signaling to Google that you are a go-to resource. This helps your website rank higher and for more keywords than a website that only has a few thin articles on the topic.
How Query Space Coverage Impacts Different CMS Platforms
The principles of query space coverage apply to every website, no matter the CMS. Your platform is just the tool you use to create the content. I am going to show you how to think about this with some of the most popular platforms. The goal is to make your content comprehensive and easy to find.
WordPress
WordPress is an amazing platform for handling query space coverage because of its powerful blogging features. I recommend you use it to create “pillar content” which is very long and covers a lot of related keywords. For example, a single, detailed guide to “gardening” can rank for a hundred different related keywords, like “how to plant vegetables,” “how to grow tomatoes,” and “best soil for gardening.”
Shopify
For Shopify, you can use query space coverage to your advantage by creating detailed product category pages that target a lot of related keywords. For example, a single category page for “women’s running shoes” can rank for searches like “best running shoes for women,” “women’s jogging shoes,” and “women’s trainers.” You can also use a blog to create buying guides that cover a lot of different product keywords in one place.
Wix
Wix makes it easy to create new pages and blog posts. You can use this to your advantage by creating a single, comprehensive page for a topic. For example, instead of a page for “web design pricing,” you can create a single page called “web design services and pricing.” This helps you rank for a lot of different keywords with one page and keeps your site from having a lot of thin content.
Webflow
Webflow’s design freedom allows you to build a single landing page that can target a lot of different popularities. You can have a main section that targets a broad keyword and then have subsections that go into a lot of detail about more specific, less popular keywords. This helps you have a single, authoritative page that ranks for a lot of different searches.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, you have the most control to build a system that supports a query space coverage strategy. You can build a system that encourages your content creators to create long-form, comprehensive content that targets a lot of different keywords. You can also track a lot of related keywords and make sure they are all being covered by a single, authoritative page.
How Query Space Coverage Applies to Different Industries
The concept of query space coverage is the same for every business, but the way you apply it changes depending on what you do. It is all about figuring out what your audience wants and giving it to them in a single, comprehensive piece of content. I am going to show you how to do this for a few key sectors.
Ecommerce
In ecommerce, query space coverage is all about your product category pages. I recommend you create detailed, long-form category pages that include everything a customer needs to know. For example, a category page for “women’s running shoes” can rank for “best running shoes for women,” “women’s jogging shoes,” and “women’s trainers.”
Local Businesses
For a local business, you can use query space coverage by creating a single page that lists all of your services in a specific location. For example, a single page titled “Plumbing Services in Sialkot” can rank for “emergency plumber Sialkot,” “Sialkot drain cleaning,” and “Sialkot water heater repair.” This helps you rank for a lot of local searches with just one page.
SaaS
For a SaaS company, you can use query space coverage by creating a single, comprehensive guide that covers a lot of related topics. For example, a single guide titled “Project Management for Small Businesses” can rank for keywords like “how to manage a remote team” and “best project management tool.” This helps you attract a lot of different users with one amazing piece of content.
Blogs
For a blog, query space coverage is a perfect strategy. Instead of writing a bunch of short articles, you can write one amazing, long-form article that covers a lot of related keywords. This helps you build a strong, authoritative page that can rank higher and for more keywords than a lot of small, thin articles.
FAQ Section
What is the difference between a broad search and query space coverage?
A broad search is a general topic that a person is searching for. Query space coverage is about all the possible questions a person could have about that topic. By having good query space coverage, you are telling Google that your website is a true authority on a broad topic.
How can I find out what queries I am not covering?
You can use a few simple methods. Start by looking at your Google Search Console reports. Look for a lot of similar, low-ranking keywords that are all pointing to the same page. You can then create a new, single page that targets all of them. You can also use a keyword tool to find related keywords that you should cover in one article.
What is “pillar content” and how does it relate to query space coverage?
Pillar content is a long, comprehensive piece of content that covers a broad topic. It is the perfect example of good query space coverage. A pillar page can then link to a lot of smaller, more specific articles that are all related to the same broad topic. This helps you build a strong, authoritative content hub on your website.
Should I delete my old, short articles and combine them into one?
Yes, often this is a great strategy. If you have a lot of short, similar articles that are not ranking well, you can combine them into one single, comprehensive article. This helps you create a high-quality, authoritative page that is much more likely to rank for all of those keywords.
