Intro
Ever feel like you’re juggling too many keywords in your SEO strategy? Keyword clustering can be a game-changer. This approach organizes related keywords into groups, streamlining content creation and improving SEO. In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of keyword clustering, advanced techniques, and how to use Ranktracker’s tools to track and analyze your keywords for the best results.
What is Keyword Clustering?
Keyword clustering is the process of grouping related keywords based on their meaning and intent, often using natural language processing and semantic analysis. For instance, keywords like “how to bake bread,” “easy bread recipes,” and “homemade bread tips” could form a “bread baking” keyword cluster. Rather than targeting each keyword separately, clustering helps you focus on themes or topics, allowing search engines to better understand the content’s context.
Why Keyword Clustering Matters for SEO
Search engines are increasingly sophisticated, recognizing context over exact keyword matches. By clustering keywords, you provide search engines with more context, allowing them to understand your content’s overarching theme. This approach improves your SEO by:
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Targeting multiple keywords with a single piece of content or by creating multiple pieces that interlink, thereby building topical authority.
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Organizing your content structure, which makes your site easier to crawl and navigate.
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Creating additional opportunities for internal linking to strengthen your SEO strategy.
How to Do Keyword Clustering
Here’s a step-by-step guide to building effective keyword clusters.
Step 1: Identify Your Keywords
Start with a comprehensive list of keywords related to your main topic. For instance, a fitness blog’s initial list might include keywords like:
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Workout
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Exercise
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Health
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Nutrition
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Strength training
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Cardio
Step 2: Build Your Clusters
Now, you can start grouping these keywords into clusters. Here are some effective methods to consider:
Brainstorming and Mind Mapping
With no special tools required, use your knowledge to brainstorm related keywords for each main keyword. For a fitness blog, under “workout,” you might add:
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Home workouts
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Gym routines
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HIIT exercises
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Bodyweight workouts
This method helps identify natural relationships and groupings within your keyword list.
Using Google Search
Google’s search features provide valuable insights for clustering:
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Autocomplete: Type a keyword in the search bar to see what Google suggests, revealing additional, related search terms.
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People Also Ask: These questions are often tightly related and can help form keyword clusters.
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Related Searches: At the bottom of the search results page, related terms can serve as cluster additions.
Keyword Stemming and Synonym Grouping
Look for words that share the same root or stem. For example:
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Run, running, runner
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Workout, workouts, working out
Use synonyms, too. For example, “exercise,” “workout,” and “training” can often belong to the same cluster.
Using Keyword Explorer
With Ranktracker’s Keyword Explorer, you can enter a primary keyword to generate a list of related keywords. This list is ideal for building clusters, as it provides variations and additional keywords relevant to your SEO strategy.
Step 3: Collect Data for Each Keyword in Your Cluster
With clusters in place, gather data on each keyword to determine the best targeting strategy. For example:
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Keywords with different search intents within a cluster might need separate pages.
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Low search volume keywords with the same intent might be best targeted together.
You can track keyword data manually with a spreadsheet, but using a tool like Ranktracker’s Groups simplifies tracking. Groups let you organize your clusters and view valuable metrics like rankings, search volume, and share of voice for each cluster.
Step 4: Implement Keyword Clusters
With clusters ready, it’s time to put them to work. Here’s how to integrate them into your content strategy.
Align Clusters with Your Content Strategy
Start by aligning your clusters with your core products or services, popular topics, and content gaps. This prioritization helps focus on clusters that bring quick SEO wins and resonate most with your audience.
Create Topic Pillars
Decide if each cluster needs a comprehensive pillar page—a central page covering the main topic and linking to specific supporting pages. For example, if you have a “home workouts” cluster, your pillar page might be “The Ultimate Guide to Home Workouts.” A well-developed pillar page strengthens the cluster and boosts your site’s authority on the topic.
Develop Supporting Content
After establishing pillar pages, publish supporting content targeting each keyword within the cluster. For example, for “home workouts,” you could create:
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“10-Minute HIIT Workouts for Busy Professionals”
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“Best Equipment for Home Strength Training”
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“Beginner’s Guide to Bodyweight Exercises”
Each piece should link to the pillar page and, where relevant, to other cluster pages.
Step 5: Optimize On-Page Elements
Use clustered keywords naturally to avoid keyword stuffing. Here are key areas to include them:
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Title Tag: Include your main keyword.
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H1 Tag: Use the primary keyword here as well.
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Subheadings: Integrate related keywords from the cluster.
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Meta Description and Alt Text: Add relevant keywords to these elements for additional SEO value.
For further guidance, refer to Ranktracker’s On-Page SEO Checklist.
Step 6: Build a Strong Internal Linking Structure
Linking between cluster pages boosts authority and makes it easier for search engines to crawl related content. Best practices for internal linking in keyword clusters include:
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Linking from pillar pages to each supporting page within the cluster.
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Using descriptive anchor text containing cluster keywords.
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Adding internal links in previously published content for cohesion.
Step 7: Monitor and Adjust
SEO is a dynamic process, so regularly tracking and refining your clusters is essential. With Ranktracker’s Groups feature, you can monitor performance metrics to see which clusters rank best and where improvements are needed. You can also use Groups to track new keywords and add them to existing clusters as your strategy evolves.
Why We Love Keyword Clustering
Keyword clustering is a powerful, efficient approach to content strategy. By organizing related keywords into clusters, you improve content cohesion and help search engines better understand your site. The result? Improved rankings, targeted traffic, and a more streamlined content strategy.
Start grouping your keywords today and watch your search visibility soar!
