Finding the right keywords is one of the most important steps in SEO. Choosing the wrong ones can waste months of effort, while the right ones can steadily bring in traffic and customers. The good news is that with tools like Ahrefs, you can make keyword selection a structured process rather than guesswork.
Step 1: Understand the Basics of Keyword Research
Keyword research is the process of finding the exact words and phrases your potential audience types into search engines. These keywords fall into two main types:
Head Terms (Short-Tail Keywords): Short, broad searches like “SEO tools” or “marketing software.” They often have high search volume but are very competitive.
Long-Tail Keywords: Longer, more specific phrases like “best SEO tools for small businesses” or “how to set up Google Analytics 4.” They typically have less search volume but are easier to rank for and usually attract more qualified traffic.
A strong SEO strategy balances both types—targeting long-tail for quicker wins while building toward competitive head terms.
Step 2: Know the Key Metrics (KD and SV)
When using Ahrefs (or a similar tool), two important metrics guide your decision:
Keyword Difficulty (KD)
What it means: KD is a score (usually 0–100) that shows how hard it will be to rank on the first page of Google for that keyword.
How it’s calculated: Ahrefs looks at the number and strength of backlinks pointing to the top-ranking pages.
How to use it: Lower KD = easier opportunity. For a new site, focus on KD scores in the 0–20 range. As your authority grows, you can target harder keywords.
Search Volume (SV)
What it means: SV tells you how many people search for that keyword each month in a specific region (like the US).
How it’s calculated: Based on clickstream data and search engine estimates.
How to use it: Higher volume means more potential traffic—but don’t chase volume blindly. Sometimes a keyword with 200 monthly searches and low KD can drive better leads than one with 20,000 searches and intense competition.
Step 3: Look for the Balance
The best keywords strike a balance between search volume and difficulty:
Too much volume, too high KD: Hard to rank for (example: “SEO”).
Too little volume, very low KD: Easy to rank, but not much traffic.
Sweet spot: Keywords with moderate search volume (hundreds to a few thousand monthly searches) and manageable difficulty for your site’s authority.
Step 4: Use Ahrefs to Find Keywords
Here’s a practical workflow:
Enter a seed keyword into Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer (e.g., “email marketing”).
Filter by KD: Start with KD under 20–30 if your site is new.
Filter by SV: Look for terms with at least 100–500 monthly searches (more if your site is established).
Check SERP overview: Look at the top 10 results. If they’re dominated by big brands with thousands of backlinks, it may be tough. If smaller blogs appear, you have a chance.
Save promising keywords to a list to build your content plan.
Step 5: Prioritize Long-Tail Keywords
Especially in the beginning, long-tail keywords are your best friend. For example:
Instead of “PPC software” → “best PPC software for startups in 2025.”
Instead of “CRM system” → “affordable CRM system for real estate agents.”
They bring in more qualified visitors and help your site build authority over time.
Step 6: Think About Search Intent
Every keyword represents a type of intent:
Informational: “What is keyword difficulty?” → Blog posts, guides.
Transactional: “Buy SEO software” → Product pages.
Commercial investigation: “Best keyword research tools” → Comparison articles.
Make sure the keyword aligns with the content you create and the stage of the customer journey you want to target.
Choosing the right keywords isn’t about chasing the biggest numbers. It’s about balancing keyword difficulty with search volume, focusing on long-tail opportunities, and aligning your content with search intent.
By using Ahrefs or similar tools and applying these principles, you’ll build a keyword strategy that grows traffic steadily and positions your site for bigger wins in the future.