Broad Match, Phrase Match and Exact Match Explained

[Shaun Lee]

Hello Warriors,

I'm Shaun Lee.

Questions about the definition of broad match, phrase match and exact match has long plagued the minds of many beginner Warriors when doing keyword research. As such, I created this thread to help solve the mystery of these terms. It's one of my ways to give back to this awesome forum that helped me during my earlier times.

Alright, let's begin.

For the following examples, the keyword targeted will be the best forum.

Broad Match Type

Definition: When a user searches for a term that contains all the words of the targeted keyword.

Use: Broad match offers no useful information and should be dismissed entirely when doing keyword research.

Examples of broad match type:

• the best list of dog forum
• best forum of the century
• Joe's forum is the best

Notes: Notice that all these terms contain words from the targeted keyword, and thus these are considered a broad match search.

Phrase Match Type

Definition: When a user searches for a term that contains the entire phrase of the targeted keyword.

Use: Phrase match may contain some useful information as the result is much more targeted since it contains at least the entire phrase.

Examples of phrase match type:

• the best forum of dogs
• who has the best forum
• how to register at the best forum

Notes: Notice that all these terms contain the entire phrase of the targeted keyword, and thus these are considered a phrase match search.

Exact Match Type

Definition: When a user searches for the exact keyword with no additional words.

Use: Exact match offers the most accurate data of how many searches that the targeted keyword has. It has the most targeted result of the three types of searches.

Example of exact match type:

• the best forum

Notes: Notice that the term consists of only the targeted keyword, nothing else. It has only one example because there is only one targeted keyword.

The End

That's it! Remember to post your feedback, too.

Thank you for reading and I wish you all the best in all your endeavors.

-Shaun