SEMrush is one of the most powerful keyword research tools—but are you using it to its full potential? This step-by-step guide will show you how to find high-volume, low-competition keywords that drive real traffic.
Step 1: Set Up Your SEMrush Account
✅ Free Option: SEMrush offers a 7-day free trial (no credit card needed).
✅ Paid Plans: Start with the Pro plan ($129.95/month) for full access.
Step 2: Use the Keyword Magic Tool
🔍 Where to find it: Keyword Analytics > Keyword Magic Tool
How to Find Winning Keywords:
- Enter a Seed Keyword (e.g., “best running shoes”)
- Filter by:
- Search Volume (aim for 500+ monthly searches)
- Keyword Difficulty (KD%) (start with < 70%)
- Intent (Informational, Commercial, Navigational)
- Export the List (CSV/Excel for further analysis)
💡 Pro Tip: Look for long-tail variations (e.g., “best running shoes for flat feet 2025”).
Step 3: Analyze Competitor Keywords
🚀 Tool: Competitive Research Map
- Enter a Competitor’s Domain (e.g., runnersworld.com)
- Go to “Top Organic Keywords”
- Sort by:
- Low KD% + High Volume (easy wins)
- High CTR Opportunities (questions, comparisons)
📌 Bonus: Check “Keyword Gap” to find keywords your competitors rank for—but you don’t.
Step 4: Track Keyword Positions (Rank Tracking)
📈 Tool: Position Tracking
- Set Up a Campaign (Add domain + target keywords)
- Monitor Daily/Weekly Changes
- Adjust Strategy Based on Ranking Drops
🔎 Key Metric: SERP Features (Are you winning featured snippets?)
Step 5: Discover Related Questions (People Also Ask)
❓ Tool: Keyword Overview > “Questions” Tab
- Use these in FAQs (boosts voice search & featured snippets)
- Example: “Are running shoes good for walking?”
Step 6: Leverage Historical Data (Trends & Seasonality)
📅 Tool: Keyword Analytics > Keyword Trends
- Avoid declining keywords (e.g., “best running shoes 2020”)
- Capitalize on seasonal trends (e.g., “winter running gear”)
Final Tips for SEMrush Keyword Mastery
✔ Combine with Google Search Console (for real-click data)
✔ Use “Keyword Manager” to organize lists
✔ Re-analyze every 3 months (search trends change!)
Why SEMrush Beats Other Tools?
🔹 Largest Keyword Database (over 20B keywords)
🔹 Competitor Spy Features (uncover their best strategies)
🔹 AI-Powered Suggestions (for content optimization)
