10 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
10 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Niche sites...Keyword research

by Adam Roy
8 replies
I've been hearing alot about using "exact" keyword matches when doing the keyword research for a niche site.

What's the difference between using exact and phrase when in the keyword research phase?

What's the most effective keyword research strategy for a small niche site?
#niche #research #siteskeyword
  • Profile picture of the author Shaun Lee
    Here's the difference between "Exact" and "Phrase" search.
    In this case, let's just take "the best forum" as the keyword.

    Exact Search is when a user types the exact words, without any other additional characters into Google and search for that term.

    Example: If John searches for "the best forum" (without quotes), then John just did an exact search.

    Phrase Search is when a user types in the exact phrase, with additional characters into Google and search for that term.

    Example: If John searches for "what is the best forum" (without quotes), then John just did a phrase search.

    -Shaun
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2026463].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Adam Roy
    Cool thanks. But what's the difference when doing the keyword research?

    Because if somebody types in "the best forum" without quotes, they're still seeing all of the results from a broad match.

    How does this help me get an idea of whether I will rank well in the SE's for the term?
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2026500].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Shaun Lee
      Originally Posted by friend View Post

      Cool thanks. But what's the difference when doing the keyword research?

      Because if somebody types in "the best forum" without quotes, they're still seeing all of the results from a broad match.

      How does this help me get an idea of whether I will rank well in the SE's for the term?
      The difference is significant.

      A keyword may have 1,000 Exact searches per month, but 5,000 Phrase searches per month.

      If you research in terms of Phrase match, you may be misled into thinking that your keyword has a lot of searches, and that you will get a lot of traffic from the No.1 position.

      In reality however, there are 5 times less traffic than what you thought you would get. You would have then wasted quite a lot of time trying to get the No.1 position for this keyword.

      So in conclusion, research in terms of Exact match.

      -Shaun
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2026956].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Adam Roy
    That cleared it up a little bit thank you.

    However, how does one deterimine how many people actually type in that exact phrase, in quotes, in the SE's? Or is this just a mis understanding of mine. This is what I thought the whole time I've been doing this.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2026975].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Shaun Lee
      Originally Posted by friend View Post

      That cleared it up a little bit thank you.

      However, how does one deterimine how many people actually type in that exact phrase, in quotes, in the SE's? Or is this just a mis understanding of mine. This is what I thought the whole time I've been doing this.
      For your information, normal users do not search with quotes.

      Thus, you don't need to know how many people are searching with quotes. People that search with quotes are probably researching so they aren't the traffic (visitor) you want.

      -Shaun
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2033302].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author peiprofit
        Thanks Shaun. That helped me understand this concept too.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2033392].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author NenadR
          I find that brad search is good for evaluating potential traffic, while phrase search seems to provide a more accurate idea of the competition for a keyword. I think that sites that rank well for the phrase search are also very likely to rank well in the broad search as well, and with the phrase search you get a lot fewer results which are sites that match by accident.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2033609].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author Shaun Lee
            I created a thread to explain Broad Match, Phrase Match and Exact Match.
            Click here             to visit the thread.

            Originally Posted by peiprofit View Post

            Thanks Shaun. That helped me understand this concept too.
            No problem at all, glad I helped you.

            Originally Posted by NenadR View Post

            I find that brad search is good for evaluating potential traffic, while phrase search seems to provide a more accurate idea of the competition for a keyword. I think that sites that rank well for the phrase search are also very likely to rank well in the broad search as well, and with the phrase search you get a lot fewer results which are sites that match by accident.
            1. Broad match does not indicate any information about potential traffic.

            2. Phrase match does not provide any information about the competition.

            Broad match is basically useless while phrase match is somewhat useful.

            -Shaun
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2034270].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author NenadR
              Originally Posted by Shaun Lee View Post


              1. Broad match does not indicate any information about potential traffic.

              2. Phrase match does not provide any information about the competition.

              Broad match is basically useless while phrase match is somewhat useful.

              -Shaun
              Interesting statements... Have you done any testing with this? It seems to contradict a lot of my understanding of how matches and keyword research works.
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2038033].message }}

Trending Topics