If you want to take your website or blog forward in the online world, then the first and basic need is to choose the right category. You should have deep knowledge of the category in which you are going to work. This is important because if you do not have a strong grip on the topic you are writing on, then you will neither be able to write good content nor satisfy your readers properly.
Now that you have chosen your category, the next step is keyword research. Many people think that keyword research can be done only with paid tools, but the reality is that if you have the right direction and a little understanding, you can also find the best keywords manually.
In this post, we will tell you in very simple language what manual keyword research is, why it should be done, and what is the right way to do it. We will explain to you such important things that are useful for every new and old blogger. If you read, understand, and implement these tips carefully, you will never need paid research tools. With the help of your mind and a little internet research, you will be able to find keywords that will help you increase your website traffic and get better rankings on Google.
In simple language, this guide will be a step-by-step roadmap for you. After reading it completely, you will understand how to choose the right keywords, what to keep in mind, and how to use them in your content. If you are a beginner, then this article will be perfect for you, and if you are already blogging, then it will strengthen your old strategy.
As you read this article further, you will understand step-by-step how to find original and genuine keywords. Many new bloggers initially use the same keywords that big websites are already targeting, but it is not easy to rank on them. So you need to find keywords that are related to your topic, solve a problem for your readers, and have low competition.
In this guide, we will explain in very simple language how to find original keywords. We will give you real-life examples, Google search tricks, and also show you how you can find golden keywords without any paid tools, just by using your brain and a little practice.
Manual keyword research has always been an essential part of SEO, but it requires a lot of time and effort. This is where AI SEO and AI Data Collect come into play. AI SEO quickly collects and analyzes data, while AI Data Collect ensures that the right information—such as search volume, competition, user behavior, and trends—is gathered in seconds. This makes the entire process of manual keyword research much easier. It not only shows search volume, competition, and user trends instantly, but also highlights competitors’ strategies and content gaps. While the manual method provides authenticity and depth, AI SEO and AI Data Collect add speed, accuracy, and smart insights. Together, manual research with AI SEO and AI Data Collect makes keyword strategy more effective and result-oriented.
So get ready, because in the upcoming sections, we will learn in detail how to find keywords that will set you apart and give your site better visibility on Google by looking at search suggestions, people’s ask box, related searches, competitors’ content, and user intent.
1. Seed Keyword:
Every keyword research journey always begins with a Seed Keyword. A seed keyword simply means your main category or the central idea around which all your content will revolve. In simple words, it’s the first and most important brick of your keyword research, the foundation on which the entire building stands.
The very first step is choosing your niche or category. But choosing a niche doesn’t mean you just pick any trending topic. The real success lies in selecting a niche that genuinely interests you, where you already know, and something you can consistently write about for a long time. Because if you don’t have a strong grip on the topic, you won’t be able to create valuable content, and your audience won’t trust you either.
For example, if your expertise is in clothing & fabrics, then your seed keywords could be: “cotton fabric”, “powerloom”, or “winter jackets”. Similarly, if your niche is fitness, your seed keywords might be: “weight loss”, “home workout”, or “healthy diet”.
While selecting a seed keyword, remember—it shouldn’t be too broad (like just “fashion”), and it also shouldn’t be too narrow (like “red cotton printed kurti for summer”). The goal is to find a balanced keyword that can branch out into multiple sub-topics and blog posts in the future.
Always remember: choosing the right seed keyword is the real game. This is what will later open the doors to finding powerful keywords—ones that you can rank for and that your audience can easily discover.
2. Google Search Suggestion:
Now you must be wondering — what exactly is Google Search Suggestion? Yes, you heard it right. If you’ve landed on our blog, then we’re going to give you the complete and detailed explanation of this extremely important part of keyword research.
Keyword research is the backbone of any content. Just think about it—you worked day and night to write a great article, designed it beautifully, and finally published it. But if that article doesn’t get any traffic after publishing, then all your hard work goes to waste. That’s exactly why keyword research is so crucial before creating content—so that your article not only attracts an audience but also ranks on Google.
Now the big question is—how do you extract keywords using Google Search Suggestions?
The answer is simple! Just go to Google and type your main topic or idea into the search bar. For example, you type “AI SEO Process” or “Website Ranking Keyword.” As soon as you do this, Google will show you several related searches below. These are the exact keywords people are searching for at that very moment. And these are what we call Search Suggestions.
These search suggestions are a goldmine for you. Why?
These suggestions come from real-time data, which means people are actively searching for them right now on Google. So, you don’t have to guess which keywords might work—Google itself is telling you what kind of queries users are typing.
Your responsibility now is to carefully check all these suggestions and note down the ones that are relevant to your topic. For this, you can create an Excel file or Google Sheet and keep saving your keywords there. Gradually, you’ll have a solid keyword list ready.
But remember—this is only the first step. These suggestions won’t directly become your main keywords. Instead, they act as your raw material. The real work begins when you start analyzing these keywords further—looking at their search volume, competition, and how relevant they are to your content.
So, in short, Google Search Suggestion is the easiest and most reliable starting point for keyword research. It’s free, it’s simple, and it’s one of the most widely used methods out there.
3. People Also Ask (PAA):
Now let’s understand what “People Also Ask” (PAA) actually is, and why it’s so useful in keyword research. You must have noticed that whenever you search for a keyword on Google, there’s a special section that appears in the search results called the People Also Ask box.
Inside this box, you’ll see a list of questions that people frequently ask related to that keyword. In other words, Google itself is telling you what kind of queries users want answers for around your topic. That’s why the PAA box is a goldmine of keyword ideas.
For example, let’s say you searched “AI for Travel” on Google. In the PAA box, you might see questions like:
- What is an AI-powered travel itinerary planner?
- What is the best tech for solo travelers?
- Which are the top AI-powered language translation apps?
The advantage of these questions is that they are question-type keywords. When users search for these queries, they’re not just looking for information—they want a direct answer from your content. If you create content around these questions, the chances of getting organic traffic to your blog or article increase significantly.
So what should you do?
- Carefully look at the questions that appear in the PAA box.
- Note down the ones that are relevant to your topic in an Excel sheet or Google Sheet.
- Try to understand the user intent behind each question. Is it informational (looking for knowledge), transactional (interested in buying something), or navigational (wanting to visit a particular site)?
Remember, these questions are not just potential keywords—they also reveal the exact doubts and pain points users have in your niche. If you cover them in your blog posts, your content will not only rank higher on Google but also become genuinely helpful for your audience.
In short:
- The People Also Ask box gives you ready-made keyword ideas for free.
- These ideas reflect real-time user queries.
- And most importantly, they allow you to make your content more user-focused and problem-solving.
4. Website Competitors :
By now, all the keywords you’ve collected from Google Suggestions and People Also Ask must be neatly saved in your Excel sheet or Google Sheet. The next step is to practically test those keywords.
How do you do that? Very simple
First, pick one keyword from your list and search it on Google. Once you do, you’ll see the Top 10 websites currently ranking for that keyword.
Now your job is to carefully check at least 5 of those websites:
- Read their Title Tag – notice how they’ve named their article.
- Look at their Headings (H1, H2, H3) – see what kind of subtopics they’re covering.
- Check the Meta Description – this will give you clues about which keywords they’re repeating.
- Examine the content – observe which words, phrases, or questions are being repeated again and again.
If you want, you can even analyze all 10 websites. Doing this will automatically give you a clear idea of what kind of information the audience is looking for and what points Google considers important for ranking.
Important Note (keep these points in mind):
- Technically, it’s not websites that rank on Google—it’s keywords.
- When someone searches on Google, they’re not looking for a specific website; they’re simply trying to find the answer to their query.
- A website is just a platform, but it’s the individual webpages that rank.
- That’s why your focus should always be on the keyword, not just the website.
Once you’ve done this competitor analysis, you’ll gain two big advantages:
- You’ll understand what kind of content is already ranking in your niche.
- You’ll have a clear idea about which keywords are being used repeatedly and what kind of questions the audience is asking.
With this knowledge, when you write your own content, you can make it more detailed, clearer, and more helpful than your competitors. And that’s exactly how you can outrank them on Google.
5. Google Trends:
Google Trends is actually Google’s own free tool, and it’s super useful for every blogger or content creator. When you do keyword research, it’s not enough to just know the search volume – the real question is whether that keyword will remain popular in the future or not.
And that’s exactly what Google Trends helps you figure out.
Google Trends Keyword Step-by-Step Process
1. Open Google Trends
- First, go to the Google Trends website.
- It’s completely free, no login required.
2. Enter Your Keyword
- Type your keyword in the search bar.
- Example: If your keyword is “AI-powered travel planner,” just type it in.
3. Understand the Graph
- You’ll see a graph showing data from the last 12 months (or whichever time period you choose).
- Graph going up = keyword has a good future.
- Graph going down = keyword’s popularity is shrinking.
4. Apply Location Filter
- You can check based on the country.
- Example: If your target audience is India, select “India” in the location.
- Or choose whichever country you’re targeting.
5. Change the Time Frame
- Don’t just stick to “Past 12 months.”
- Check “Past 5 years” to see if the keyword has been consistently growing or if it’s just a temporary hype.
6. Check Related Topics & Queries
- Scroll down and you’ll find “Related Topics” and “Related Queries.”
- These are extra keywords people are searching for within the same subject.
- Note them down – they’ll give you fresh future content ideas.
Example
Suppose you enter the keyword “Winter Jackets India.”
- If the graph spikes every year in November–January but stays low during other months → it’s a seasonal keyword.
- If the graph is consistently going up → people are showing more and more interest in this keyword each year.
- If the graph suddenly drops and isn’t stable → this keyword may not be useful in the future.
Pro Tips
- Always check Google Trends before creating content on any keyword.
- Seasonal keywords aren’t bad, but evergreen keywords bring stable traffic.
- If you combine Google Trends + People Also Ask + Competitor Analysis, your keyword research will level up massively.
Bottom line: Google Trends gives you a sneak peek into the future of a keyword. It helps you decide whether your effort will go to waste or bring long-term traffic to your site.
6. Social Media Research:
Nowadays, keyword research isn’t limited to Google. People often ask their problems and questions on social media platforms — and those very questions are a goldmine for keywords.
Why?
When a user asks a question on Reddit, Quora, or a Facebook Group, it usually means there isn’t much good content available yet on that exact query. In short: low competition + high intent — the sweetest combination for keyword research.
Step-by-step process
1. Choose platforms
- Reddit
- Quora
- Facebook Groups
- LinkedIn
People regularly post questions and start discussions on all of these.
2. Search your topic
If you’re in the SEO niche, search terms like “SEO tools” or “website ranking” on these platforms. You’ll find lots of real user questions.
3. Note the questions
Copy the useful questions you find. Examples:
- Reddit: “Best free AI SEO tool in 2025?”
- Quora: “What is the easiest way to rank a website without backlinks?”
- Facebook group: “Will Google penalize AI-generated content?”
Each of these can become a direct, long-tail keyword.
4. Check competition
Take those question-phrases and search them on Google. If there’s very little content or the content is outdated → that’s your chance.
5. Save to your keyword sheet
Copy every relevant question/keyword into your Excel or Google Sheet. Later convert them into content ideas.
Example
Suppose you find on Quora: “Best free AI SEO tool in 2025?”
Think — how many people are asking this exact question? Probably many, but there may be very few high-quality answers yet.
If you write a detailed post like “Top 7 Free AI SEO Tools in 2025 — Beginner Friendly Guide”, there’s a good chance your content will rank quickly.
Pro tips
- Read Reddit threads and Quora answers to discover the user’s real pain points.
- Watch Facebook Groups for repeated questions — these are reliable long-tail keywords.
- On LinkedIn, follow professional discussions — content built from those often gains authority fast.
- Always prefer questions/topics that don’t have many good blog posts yet — that’s your shortcut to ranking.
Bottom line
Social media research helps you catch keywords people are actually asking — but which don’t yet have good answers on Google. Fill that gap with helpful content, and you can rank faster.
7. Keyword Difficulty (Which Keyword is Easy and Which is Tough?):
The most important step in keyword research is to understand whether the keyword you are working on is actually worth ranking for or not. If you pick the wrong keyword, no matter how much effort you put in, your blog won’t rank. This process is called checking Keyword Difficulty.
Easy Way to Check Keyword Difficulty
Search your keyword on Google
Example: Let’s say you chose the keyword “AI SEO tools 2025”
Now go to Google and check the Top 5 results carefully.
If the Top 5 results are big websites
Like: Wikipedia, HubSpot, Neil Patel, Forbes, Search Engine Journal.
That means this keyword is tough.
Competing with these authority sites is very hard for a new blogger or a small website.
Don’t waste your time and energy on such keywords.
If the Top 5 results are small blogs or forums
Example: You see a small blogger’s site, a community forum, or a niche-specific small portal.
That means competition is low, and this is an easy keyword.
Working on such keywords will benefit you because beating small blogs is easier.
If results are mixed at sites
Example: 2–3 authority sites, and the rest are small blogs.
That means you have a chance.
If you write detailed, SEO-friendly, and user-friendly content, you can beat those small blogs and rank on Google.
Example
- You searched: “Best AI SEO tool free 2025”
Top results → HubSpot, Neil Patel, Forbes → Tough keyword (avoid it). - You searched: “AI SEO tools for beginners”
Top results → small bloggers, Medium.com posts, Reddit discussions → Easy keyword (work on it).
Pro Tips
- Always choose keywords where authority sites are not dominating.
- If you see small blogs, Q&A forums (Quora, Reddit), or niche-specific sites → that’s your golden chance.
- Don’t get trapped only by keyword volume.
Low competition + high intent keywords always bring better results. - Mark your chosen keywords in Excel → Easy, Medium, Tough.
Keyword Difficulty in Simple Words
Now I’m sure you’ve understood the real meaning of keyword difficulty. But let’s make it even simpler so you never get confused.
Keyword difficulty simply means:
“Which keyword is easy to rank on and which is difficult?”
High Authority Sites Scene
If you search a keyword on Google and the first page is filled only with big authority websites – like Wikipedia, HubSpot, Neil Patel, Forbes, Search Engine Journal – then don’t go for that keyword.
Why?
Because these sites already have very high authority. Google ranks its new posts super fast. For a beginner or small blogger, competing with them is almost impossible.
Low Authority Sites Chance
Now let’s say you search another keyword and on the first page you see small websites, niche blogs, or forums – like Quora, Reddit, Medium.com, or a beginner blogger’s site.
That means the competition is low.
And that’s your chance!
If you create detailed, structured, and SEO-friendly content, your blog can beat those small sites and rank higher.
A Simple Formula
- High Authority Sites → Leave the keyword.
- Low Authority Blogs → Grab the keyword and create content.
So basically, checking keyword difficulty = deciding where your effort is worth putting.
Example (even simpler)
- You search: “Best AI SEO tools 2025” → Forbes, HubSpot, Neil Patel → Tough keyword → Avoid.
- You search: “Free AI SEO tools for beginners 2025” → small blogs, Reddit discussions → Easy keyword → Work on it.
Pro Advice
Understanding keyword difficulty means you’ve already won half of SEO.
Smart bloggers never waste time on every keyword.
They always pick keywords with low competition, high intent, and real audience demand.
Bottom line
Checking keyword difficulty is basically understanding which keywords you actually have a winning chance at on Google. Leave the ones dominated by high-authority sites, and grab the ones where low-authority blogs and forums are ranking. That’s the real game of keyword difficulty.
8. Final Tip: Always Choose Keywords with Clear Search Intent
In the world of keyword research, the last but most important rule is understanding search intent.
Now, what is search intent?
In simple words: “What is the real purpose of the user behind searching that keyword?”
This intent decides whether your content will rank or not.
Why is Search Intent Important?
Imagine you picked a keyword and wrote a detailed article on it.
But later, you realize that the user actually wanted something else, and your content did not solve their need.
Result?
- The user will leave your site quickly.
- Google will understand that your content is not useful.
- And then… your content won’t rank.
Which means if the intent is not clear, all your hard work goes to waste.
How to Understand Clear Intent?
Search for the keyword on Google.
- See what type of content the Top 10 results are showing.
- If most results are blogs (informational) → it’s an informational intent keyword.
- If most results are e-commerce product pages → it’s a buying intent keyword.
Check who is ranking.
- If small sites (low DA, DR) are ranking → that means it’s an easy keyword and you can rank too.
- If only big authority sites are ranking → it’s a tough keyword, avoid it.
Understand the user’s purpose.
Example: “AI SEO tools free 2025”
Here, the search intent is very clear → the user wants free tools.
If you give a list of paid tools, the user will be disappointed and leave.
Examples
- Keyword: “How to do SEO for beginners”
- Intent: Wants to learn → You should give a step-by-step guide.
- Intent: Wants to learn → You should give a step-by-step guide.
- Keyword: “Buy AI SEO tool online”
- Intent: Wants to purchase → You should show product pages, pricing, and links.
- Intent: Wants to purchase → You should show product pages, pricing, and links.
- Keyword: “AI SEO tools comparison 2025”
- Intent: Wants to compare → You should provide a comparison table, pros/cons, and an honest review.
- Intent: Wants to compare → You should provide a comparison table, pros/cons, and an honest review.
Pro Tips
- Always choose keywords where the user intent is crystal clear.
- Never waste time on keywords where intent feels doubtful.
- While creating content, always ask yourself –
“If I searched this keyword, what exactly would I want?” - If you see low DA/DR sites ranking, it means Google is still waiting for better content → that’s your golden opportunity.
Bottom Line
The biggest secret of keyword research is this:
Always choose keywords with clear search intent, and focus on fulfilling the audience’s real needs.
If you do this, your content will not only rank but also stay strong on Google for a long time.
Conclusion:
By now, you’ve read the full journey of keyword research –
from seed keyword to Google search suggestions, People Also Ask, competitor analysis, Google Trends, social media research, keyword difficulty, and finally search intent.
If you notice carefully, keyword research is not just a game of tools or data – it’s actually the art of understanding the user’s mind.
Google itself always says, “Write for users, not for search engines.”
What Have You Learned?
- Seed keyword gives you direction – this is where your research begins.
- Google search suggestions & People Also Ask reveal real user questions.
- Competitor analysis shows you how others are writing and where you can do better.
- Google Trends tells you whether a keyword has a future – will it rise or fade away?
- Social media platforms are a goldmine of hidden keywords where people share their real problems.
- Keyword difficulty helps you decide which keywords are worth your effort and which ones to leave.
- Search intent is the real master key – if you understand it, your content will definitely rank.
Final Human Advice
In blogging, winners are those who work smart, not just hard.
Smartness means choosing the right keyword.
- Always pick keywords with clear search intent and where low competition sites are ranking.
- Remember – on Google, websites don’t rank, keywords rank.
- And a keyword will only rank when the user gets 100% value from your content.
Last Words (from the heart)
At first, keyword research may look difficult.
But once you follow this step-by-step process, you’ll start enjoying it – and more importantly, you’ll see results.
Every beginner blogger has the same fear –
“When will traffic come to my blog?”
Traffic will come when you:
- Choose the right keywords,
- Capture the right intent,
- And deliver the best possible content.
So now, it’s time for action:
- Open your Excel sheet.
- Start adding keywords.
- And create content that doesn’t just rank on Google – but also ranks in the hearts of users.
15 FAQs on “Manually Keyword Research – The Full Process”
1. Is it possible to do keyword research without paid tools?
Yes, absolutely. You can use free methods like Google Suggestions, People Also Ask, competitor analysis, social media, and Google Trends to find powerful keywords manually.
2. What is the biggest mistake people make while choosing a seed keyword?
Most people either choose very broad keywords (like “fashion”) or very narrow ones (like “red cotton kurti under 300”). Both make it hard to build a proper content strategy.
3. How much time does manual keyword research take?
In the beginning, it may take 2–3 hours. But with practice, you can create a solid keyword list in 30–40 minutes.
4. Will manual research still work if my niche is highly competitive?
Yes, of course. The biggest advantage of manual research is that you can discover low-competition long-tail keywords that even big SEO tools often miss.
5. Can my website rank just with keyword research?
No. Keyword research is just the first step. To rank, you also need quality content writing, on-page SEO, backlinks, and a strong focus on search intent.
6. Do keywords from Google Suggestions always work?
In most cases, yes, because they come from real-time search data. But you should always check their relevance and competition.
7. Can I directly use People Also Ask (PAA) questions in my blog?
Definitely. These are real user queries. Including them in your blog headings (H2/H3) or FAQs makes your content more helpful and SEO-friendly.
8. How does competitor analysis make keyword research easier?
By checking which keywords your competitors are ranking for, you get clear insights into what the audience wants — and you can create even better content on those topics.
9. Is Google Trends useful only for seasonal keywords?
No, it works for both seasonal and evergreen keywords. It helps you identify future traffic opportunities as well.
10. How can I use social media for keyword research?
Platforms like Reddit, Quora, Facebook Groups, and LinkedIn are full of real user questions. These questions often make excellent long-tail keywords.
11. How can I check keyword difficulty manually?
Just search the keyword on Google. If the top results are only big sites (Wikipedia, Forbes, etc.), it’s tough. If smaller blogs and forums appear, the keyword is easier to target.
12. Should I target keywords with low search volume?
Yes, if the search intent is strong and the competition is low, even low-volume keywords can bring highly targeted traffic.
13. Why is understanding search intent so important?
If your content doesn’t solve the user’s actual need, they’ll leave quickly. This increases bounce rate and signals to Google to lower your rankings.
14. What’s the biggest advantage of manual keyword research?
You can spot exactly what real users are searching for and discover hidden golden keywords with low competition — the ones most tools usually miss.
15. What should beginner bloggers do to start keyword research?
Create an Excel/Google Sheet. Start with a seed keyword → note down results from Google Suggestions, PAA, competitors, Trends, and social media. Over time, you’ll build your own keyword bank.
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