The days when digital marketers obsessed over ranking a single keyword are long gone. Today, the key to creating outstanding content is context. Why? More than 15% of Google’s daily searches are entirely new queries that users have never searched before. With trillions of searches conducted each year, a massive number of new queries are continuously added to Google.
By identifying different and unique ways people search for common topics, Google’s search results have evolved. This is precisely why LSI keywords have become one of the most important factors in Google’s ranking system. From an SEO perspective, using them yields highly positive results. Incorporating LSI keywords into your content enhances its value and increases visibility in user searches.
What Are LSI Keywords?
Since 2015, Google has emphasized the importance of LSI keywords. However, it has not devoted much time to explaining them in detail to digital marketers, leading to widespread confusion about the concept.
LSI keywords stands for Latent Semantic Indexing, a computational method designed to learn a broad range of synonyms based on context. Essentially, LSI applies mathematical techniques to identify relationships between words and concepts within a given piece of content.
Here’s a more practical definition of LSI keywords: From an SEO perspective, LSI keywords are search terms related to your main keyword. They help strengthen your content, making it easier for users and search engines to understand its relevance.
Below are examples of appropriate LSI keywords for the main keyword in this article:
- What are LSI keywords?
- Examples of LSI keywords
- How to use related keywords
- Tools for finding LSI keywords
- Do related keywords affect SEO?
- Semantic keywords
As you can see, each of these phrases effectively supports the main keyword.
If any of this seems a bit complex, especially since the term “keyword” itself is involved. don’t worry! In the next section, we will explore easy methods to find relevant LSI keywords and how to integrate them into your content to enhance visibility in search results.
Are LSI Keywords the Same as Synonyms?
While some LSI keywords may be synonyms, not all synonyms qualify as LSI keywords. In most cases, LSI keywords are words and phrases that share a close contextual relationship with your main keyword. Therefore, using synonyms in your content can support on-page SEO, but synonyms alone do not constitute LSI keywords.
For example, the synonym for “jacket” could be “coat.” However, LSI keywords for “jacket” might include terms like reversible, winter, warm, and so on.
What Are the Benefits of Using LSI Keywords?
As mentioned earlier, hundreds of thousands of new queries are entered into Google each year—queries that have never been searched before. Google’s algorithm has been continuously improved to better understand related keywords. As Google states:
“Billions of searches are conducted on Google annually. The reality is that 15% of daily searches are completely new—this means there’s always room for improvement in delivering better search results and offering high-quality answers from a wide range of trusted sources. While our search results will never be perfect, we remain committed to earning your trust and ensuring our products continue to be beneficial for everyone.”
Are There Any Drawbacks to LSI Keywords?
LSI keywords don’t have direct disadvantages, but the indexing method comes with certain limitations, such as:
- Ignoring word order while incorporating all connectors and prepositions.
- Assigning only one meaning to words, which may lead to misinterpretations.
- Failing to recognize conceptual ideas or idioms, meaning some words may not align perfectly with their intended context
When Did LSI Keywords Become Relevant?
If you’re wondering when LSI keywords became significant, it all started in 2004 when Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) was integrated into Google’s search algorithm. The goal was to help the search engine provide more relevant results to users.
However, Google wasn’t solely focused on keywords. The search giant aimed to understand anchor text in hyperlinks, as well as clusters of websites that linked to one another.
With all these factors incorporated into an algorithm update, Google drastically changed how search results were presented. Search engines no longer targeted exact-match keywords within web content. Instead, the algorithm began understanding written text and synonyms. Rather than simply checking how frequently a keyword appeared on a page, Google can now analyze everything on a webpage with precision.
Impact of LSI Keywords on SEO
Years ago, Google’s crawlers, also known as spiders, automatically discovered and scanned websites by crawling from one link to another across connected web pages. During crawling, search engines identified keywords on a page to understand its topic.
For instance, if you publish a post titled “21 Tips for Effective Email Segmentation”, Google would scan your webpage to determine whether you had included the phrase “email list segmentation” in key sections, such as:
- Title tag
- Body content
- Alt text for images
- H1 title, H2 and H3 subheadings, etc.
However, after the LSI update, Google’s crawling process changed, resulting in improved SEO performance, such as:
Google Gains Better Page Understanding
Beyond simply scanning your page for the primary keyword, Google now analyzes related keywords, such as “email campaign,” “MailChimp,” “audience,” “subscribers,” “email tools,” and more. This means that Google works to determine the overall topic of a page and relies on Latent Semantic Indexing to understand content at a deeper level, rather than just searching for a handful of specific keywords.
Google Reads Pages Contextually
Essentially, Google’s algorithm now has the ability to read a page like a human, identifying synonyms and related words. This means the search engine can distinguish between words even at the most subtle levels. For example, it can now differentiate between literal and figurative language, such as:
“Do not include LSI keywords in your content unless they are relevant.”
Versus:
“Use a shoehorn when putting on your shoes to prevent damage.”
Google Can Generate More Relevant Results
According to a recent research paper published by Google, the search engine identifies words that frequently appear together to help its algorithms understand the main topic of scanned pages. With more precise categorization, search results become increasingly relevant.
Google Provides a Holistic View of Your Business
Additionally, Google’s algorithm is designed to evaluate business names, websites, and industries, helping Google gain a comprehensive understanding of each page within the broader context of a business.
Does YouTube Use LSI Keywords?
Interestingly, while Google owns YouTube, the two platforms operate on entirely different search engines and algorithms. As of the time of writing, YouTube does not seem to use LSI keywords for ranking.
Although YouTube search results offer related suggestions, there aren’t many places within the platform’s structure to insert LSI keywords. Instead, YouTube SEO is primarily dependent on high-quality editing, which boosts engagement and increases click-through rates on thumbnails.
This is an established fact worldwide—high-quality editing, rather than LSI keywords, is the dominant ranking factor in YouTube’s algorithm. So, while LSI keywords play a critical role in Google’s search engine, they are not particularly relevant for YouTube SEO.
How to Find Relevant Keywords Using LSI Keyword Tools
The first step in identifying LSI keywords is to establish a foundational set of important keywords for your industry and business. Once this foundation is built, discovering related keywords becomes much easier.
All you need is a bit of research to uncover endless possibilities and for that, you’ll need specialized tools. Below are five LSI keyword tools you can use to find the most relevant keywords for your content.
Google Autocomplete
Google’s Instant Search feature is the simplest way to find keywords related to your main term. All you need to do is type your desired keyword into Google’s search bar, and you’ll receive a wide range of predictions for what you might type next.
Look for bolded suggested words, as these indicate relevant terms. Compile a list of industry-related topics, then incorporate them into your content.
Google’s Related Searches
Another method is to type your main keyword into Google and scroll to the bottom of the page to locate the “Related Searches” section.
Using KWFinder
When you enter a keyword into KWFinder, it provides the following insights:
- Search volume
- Keyword difficulty
- Cost-per-click (CPC)
- Trends
- Estimated traffic
With the help of this tool, you can discover the most suitable keyword phrases.
How to Use LSI Keywords for SEO
The keyword generation tools mentioned above will provide a long list of appropriate LSI keywords for your content. Now, it’s time to integrate them and witness their SEO benefits firsthand!
Choose LSI Keywords That Suit Your Topic
Before determining which LSI keywords to incorporate into your text, first identify the words most relevant to your subject. For example, if you’re writing a blog post targeting the main keyword “blog SEO”, your tool may generate an extensive list of possible options, such as:
- Blog SEO checklist
- SEO blog topics
- SEO tips for blogs
- SEO blogs for beginners
- What are the benefits of SEO?
- Meaning of blog SEO
- Search optimization plugins for bloggers
- How to write a simple, engaging SEO post
- SEO blog for beginners
- Latest SEO trends
- How to optimize your post for SEO
- And more…
As you can see, most LSI keywords are effective and can contribute to better content optimization.
For instance, if you’re creating a blog post for WordStream about the benefits of blog SEO, you might associate your main keyword (blog SEO) with related phrases like “What are the benefits of SEO?” and “Blog SEO for beginners.”
Alternatively, if your post focuses on different methods for optimizing blog SEO, you might choose LSI phrases such as “How to optimize a post for SEO” and “X tips for blog SEO.”
Consider the Total Monthly Search Volume
Sometimes, determining the best LSI keywords can be quite challenging, as some keyword suggestions may be strong enough to become standalone articles.
When this happens, decide whether a keyword should be developed into a separate article or incorporated into your main post. A smart approach is to examine the total monthly search volume to determine whether a keyword warrants a new piece or if it should be included in an existing article.
Since the LSI keyword suggestions you receive can apply to various types of content, it’s essential to choose the best ones for the specific page you’re creating.
During research, if you discover keywords that align well with different pages, consider documenting them across multiple pages to improve the overall SEO of your website.
Integrate LSI Keywords Into Your Page
You should place LSI keywords in the same sections where your main keyword appears, including:
- Meta title and meta description
- H1, H2, H3 headings
- Image alt tags
- Throughout the main body content
Ensure that LSI keywords and related phrases are integrated naturally into your post. This helps avoid excessive keyword repetition while maintaining a balanced and readable flow.
Prioritize User Experience
Avoid overusing LSI keywords in your content. Although they aren’t primary keywords, excessive usage can result in penalties.
Your goal should be to incorporate enough relevant words so that Google and other search engines immediately understand your page’s topic, without compromising the user experience!
To execute this strategy effectively, blend related keywords seamlessly while keeping your content cohesive, natural, and easy to follow. This approach not only prevents penalties from Google but also enhances the visitor experience—ultimately helping you monetize your blog.
Final Tips for Using LSI Keywords in SEO
Below are some general rules for implementing related keywords in content to strengthen your SEO strategy:
- Avoid excessive use of synonyms.
- Write the way you speak. If you wouldn’t naturally use certain phrases in everyday conversation, don’t force them into your text.
- Maintain a balanced ratio of related words and phrases within your content (e.g., one LSI keyword every 200 to 300 words).
Regardless of how frequently you use LSI keywords, your top priority should always be providing clear, concise, and valuable information that helps readers find answers and solutions (while simultaneously supporting your business goals, converting readers into paying customers).
If you focus on creating content with the intent of delivering value, you’ll naturally incorporate relevant keywords without deliberate effort. In short, write for humans, not machines!
