Check Your Internet Browsing History For Keyword Insights
Last Update: Aug 3, 2020
One difficult thing to do when writing articles for your website is remembering that a real person will actually search for what you're writing about. It's really easy to get caught up in "running a business", trying to get traffic, and making money.
A big mindset shift I've been working on lately is really thinking about what people search for online, and how to integrate that into my articles. I may have a great idea for something to publish, but how do I phrase it so that it's "searchable".
A Good Example of What Not To Do
A lot of people want to do self help websites, and that's great. Self Help is a huge industry, and you can make a lot of money promoting self help products. Just look at Tony Robbins. Rich AF, right?
However, what I see a lot of self help affiliate marketers doing is publishing stuff like, "How to live a happy life", or "How to be successful". Very general stuff.
Does someone go to Google and type, "How to be successful?" Probably not. It's too general. A CEO of a fortune 500 company may need to earn a billion dollars before he thinks he's successful. A kid just graduating college might just want a prestigious job he's been dreaming about. A work at home mom might want a popular Etsy store. Someone else might be fixated on a green Lambo.
Every idea of success is different.
Every idea of happiness is different.
Instead, I like to break down those ideas (which are great starting points) into more searchable topics. I don't always let keyword statistics dictate what I write, but I definitely have my keyword research tool open while brainstorming these topics to see which phrases are more searched, so I can prioritize what I write.
Let's say someone wants to buy a green Lambo. Would they search for "how to get a Lambroghini?". Probably not. More likely they're going to search for something like "how much does a 2020 Lambo cost?"
OK, those cost about $200,000. What's the next search. Maybe something like, "Which jobs pay $200,000 per year?". Or maybe they are smart and think about car upkeep, and ask, "How much does gas cost for a Lamborghini per year", or "Do Lamborghinis need special mechanics?".
Do you see the difference between "how to be successful" and "how much does gas cost for a Lamborghini per year"?
You're An Online Shopper Too!
Above I mentioned that it's easy to get caught up in the business side of things and forget the personal stuff. One easy way to bring yourself back to Earth is to take a look at your own search and consumer habits.
What triggers you to buy something? How many reviews do you look at before you buy? Which links do you click? Which windows do you close? What do you comment on? What do you share?
All those personal actions are great insights into what readers of your own affiliate blog are doing as well.
One thing I discovered this weekend is that you can actually look up your own search history in your Chrome browser.
Google Account Settings > Manage Your Google Account > Data & Personalization > Web & App Activity > Manage Activity
My search term here was "how to display digital art". That's a perfect keyword term to write about. From there, you could do many related articles like:
- top 10 digital art display companies
- how to make a raspberry pi dynamic picture frame
- where to buy rare blockchain art
- .... and more!
Think About What People Are Searching For
The main takeaways from all this is that when you decide to write an article, think about whether or not someone may search that term. It's great to have evergreen resources on your site, and sometimes it's not practical to make those into search terms. However, for your everyday blogging activity, brainstorming how people search for things is very useful IMO.
Have a great week everyone!
Recent Comments
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I wish I could sit and look over your shoulder and watch what you do...for even just a day (not in a stalker kind of way...😬)
Because so much of what you say and do is so instructive and like a stepping stone path, each step makes sense and takes you one step closer to the desired destination 👍
Thank you
Hehe. That's why I try to post a blog per week, so share some of my thoughts on affiliate marketing and blogging!
Great food for thought Nathaniell. When I select a topic to write about, I try to put myself into the mind of a person searching for what I am writing about. Assuming that I am that person, I construct a selection of keywords. I then try them in Google. All BEFORE using Jaaxy. I usually use Jaaxy for validation and to use the Alphabet Soup feature to help.
Really, there is no one way to come up with Keywords that people search by. I do have a question though.
If my keyword comes up on Page 1 of the search engines, is that an indication that people will be using those phrases to search for what I am writing about?
Thanks for your insights Nathaniell.
Edwin
It depends on what you mean by "if my keyword comes up on page 1 of search engines". If you are ranked, it just means you are ranked. It doesn't necessarily mean that people search for it.
There are many times I rank for something I intended for, but nobody lands on the page (or very few people), so my "hunch" was wrong, and nobody is actually searching for the term.
Thank you for sharing this post.
The science of preparing for a keyword search is indeed a skill.
For me, when it came to content creation, my first couple of months, (as newbie) would be a total disastrous process-- over the good topic.
Why?
Because to cover what goes into the skill set of content creation--
I assume I didn't have a real market for using keywords.
I wasn't looking at the approach as (a business owner) having product for the people I desired to reach.
The method you point out about checking the internet browsing, (I do) will definitely help me write articles with better value.
All the best,
WaltM
We all definitely go through transformations of our processes over time. Sounds like you're honing in on a method that could work for you Walter!
Awesome, always put yourself in your readers shoes, study behavior, patterns perhaps, you'd reach faster resolutions. Great post, you're so right.
Thank you for sharing your insights, we appreciate you. Hope your week is productive too,
Best wishes.
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Great article Nathaniel! I forget to put myself into someone else's mind, so to speak, I have to do it more often, but as my site is around kids/parents/crafts, I have to ask questions like a kid would and as parents would.
I know kids ask a lot of 'Whys and How....? and parents 'Oh' God can't be asked, but here goes! lol'.
So basically making it easy, and a lot of not to worry........
Thanks, Nat, needed this reminder!😀
Julia what is your question, how can we help?
Hi Abie, just reflecting on Nat's points. I need to ask myself what a reader is looking for or wanting to know and offer that service, help, or answer in some way.
I will try and incorporate this more in my content.
Absolutely, the content we provide must be top-notch, punches and delivers first time, first contact. We have to responsibility to provide this to our visitors if we were to make an impact. Appreciate your notes here.