Knowing the keywords and phrases that bring visitors to your WordPress website is crucial for improving your SEO and growing your traffic. This guide will teach you 5 methods to see the keywords people use to find your site.
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What are Keywords and Why are they Important?
Keywords are the words and phrases that users type into search engines like Google to find content relevant to their query.
Understanding the keywords that drive traffic to your site allows you to:
- Optimize your existing content to rank higher for those terms
- Create new content targeting high-value keywords
- Focus your SEO efforts on the right keywords
- Identify new keyword opportunities to reach more searchers
In short, tracking keywords gives you data-driven insights to boost your WordPress site‘s visibility and traffic.
Method 1: Use Google Search Console
The easiest way to see keywords for your site is Google Search Console. This free tool shows you how your pages rank in Google for different search queries.
Here‘s how to view keyword data in Search Console:
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Sign in to Google Search Console and verify your WordPress site if you haven‘t already.
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Go to Performance > Search Analytics to access search query and keyword data.
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In the table, review metrics like impressions, clicks, and average position for each keyword.
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Filter or search to find specific keywords, or export the full list.
This gives you insights into the top terms people use to find your pages in Google, so you can optimize accordingly.
Method 2: Connect Google Analytics and Search Console
For more powerful keyword insights, connect your Google Analytics and Search Console accounts. This lets you bring Search Console data directly into Analytics.
To link them:
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In Analytics, go to Admin > View Settings.
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Under Search Console, click Add Search Console.
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Select your site and click Authorize. This verifies the connection.
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In Analytics, go to Acquisition > Search Console > Queries to see keywords.
Now you can analyze keyword and search data alongside other Analytics reports for a complete view of site performance.
Method 3: Use SEO Plugins for WordPress
Keyword tracking plugins for WordPress make it easy to monitor important SEO metrics right from your dashboard.
Popular options like Yoast SEO, Rank Math, and All in One SEO Pack integrate with Search Console and Analytics to show keyword data in your admin dashboard.
Simply install the plugin, connect your accounts, and you‘ll have keyword rankings, volumes, and other insights at your fingertips.
Method 4: Check Competitor Keywords with Tools
To take your keyword research further, use SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush and Moz to find the top keywords your competitors rank for.
Analyzing their keyword profiles gives you proven terms to target and opportunities to outrank them.
Most tools offer free plans or trials to get started. Input a competitor URL to browse their top ranking keywords and traffic sources.
Method 5: Analyze Your Site‘s Source Traffic
Your own Analytics account also contains keyword clues in the traffic source and referral data.
Go to Acquisition > All Traffic > Source/Medium to see visitors‘ sources, like organic search, social, etc. Click on Organic Search to view landing pages and keyword data.
You can also filter for referral traffic under Acquisition > All Traffic > Referrals to see keywords for visitors referred from other sites.
Tips for Improving Keyword Rankings
Once you have keyword data, here are some tips for improving rankings:
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Optimize your title tag and meta description for keywords that drive traffic but have low CTR. This improves click-through rate.
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Add keywords naturally to content. Don‘t over-optimize. Update old posts targeting new relevant keywords.
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Improve page speed and user experience which both impact rankings.
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Build quality backlinks using keywords as anchor text where appropriate.
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Expand your keyword scope by creating new content optimized for untapped long-tail keywords.
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Use Google‘s Keyword Planner tool for suggestions.
Knowing your site‘s keyword traffic is the first step to boosting SEO and growth. Follow the steps in this guide to access and analyze keyword data from multiple sources. Let your findings guide your content and SEO strategies.
