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SEO Keyword Research Basics

1. Why Keyword Research Matters

A writer who ignores keyword research writes whatever they think readers want.

A writer who understands keyword research writes what readers are actively searching for right now.

Keyword research determines:

  • Search visibility
  • Traffic potential
  • Ranking difficulty
  • Reader intent
  • Article structure
  • Headline clarity
  • Subhead relevance
  • Long‑term performance

Every Total Apex contributor must master keyword research because it is the foundation of SEO‑driven content across news, gaming, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle.

2. Keyword Research Basics

Keyword research answers the question:

What are people searching for — and how can we match that intent better than anyone else?

Keyword research focuses on:

  • Primary keywords
  • Secondary keywords
  • Long‑tail keywords
  • Search intent
  • Difficulty vs. opportunity
  • Trending topics

Writers must understand all five.

3. Primary Keywords

Your primary keyword is the main phrase the article is built around.

Characteristics

  • High relevance
  • Clear search intent
  • Strong traffic potential
  • Appears in the headline, URL, intro, and subheads

Examples

  • Elden Ring builds
  • NBA standings
  • PS5 overheating fix
  • Best productivity apps

The primary keyword is the article’s anchor.

4. Secondary Keywords

Secondary keywords support the primary keyword and help Google understand context.

Examples

Primary: Elden Ring builds  

Secondary:

  • best Elden Ring builds
  • beginner builds Elden Ring
  • strength builds Elden Ring

Primary: NBA standings  

Secondary:

  • NBA rankings
  • NBA playoff picture
  • NBA seedings

Secondary keywords belong in:

  • Subheads
  • Body text
  • FAQs
  • Lists

They expand your ranking footprint.

5. Long‑Tail Keywords

Long‑tail keywords are longer, more specific, lower‑competition searches.

Examples

  • best Elden Ring builds for beginners
  • how to fix PS5 overheating in summer
  • NBA standings after Tuesday’s games
  • morning routine for productivity beginners

Long‑tails are essential for:

  • New sites
  • Niche topics
  • Fast rankings
  • High‑intent readers

Total Apex writers should always include long‑tails.

6. Search Intent (The Most Important Part)

Search intent answers:

What does the reader actually want?

There are four types:

A. Informational

  • how to fix PS5 overheating
  • why is Elden Ring so hard

B. Transactional

  • best gaming laptops 2025
  • cheap NBA jerseys

C. Navigational

  • YouTube login
  • ESPN standings

D. News/Trending

  • NBA trade deadline rumors
  • Fortnite update patch notes

Your article must match the intent exactly.

7. How to Choose the Right Keyword

Writers should choose keywords based on:

A. Relevance

Does the keyword match the article’s topic?

B. Search Volume

Are people searching for it?

C. Competition

Can Total Apex realistically rank for it?

D. Intent

Does the keyword match what readers want?

E. Trend Velocity

Is the keyword rising, peaking, or falling?

The best keyword = high relevance + clear intent + achievable competition.

8. Where to Place Keywords (Contributor‑Safe)

A. Headline

Include the primary keyword naturally.

B. First 100 Words

Google weighs this heavily.

C. Subheads

Use secondary and long‑tail keywords.

D. Body Text

Use naturally — never force it.

E. Meta Description

Clear, natural, keyword‑aligned.

F. URL Slug

Short, clean, keyword‑focused.

G. Image Alt Text

Describe the image using natural language.

Keyword placement must feel organic, not stuffed.

9. Keyword Research Across Total Apex Verticals

News

  • breaking news keyword + location
  • event name + update
  • celebrity name + statement

Sports

  • team name + standings
  • player name + stats
  • game name + recap

Gaming

  • game name + update
  • builds, guides, tips, fixes
  • patch notes

Entertainment

  • show name + ending explained
  • movie name + review
  • episode name + recap

Lifestyle

  • how to + habit/skill
  • best + product category
  • tips for + problem

Each vertical has predictable search patterns — writers must learn them.

10. Common Keyword Research Mistakes (and Fixes)

A. Choosing keywords with no search volume

❌ Writing for yourself

✔️ Writing for what people search

B. Ignoring search intent

❌ Writing a review for a “how to” keyword

✔️ Matching the reader’s goal

C. Stuffing keywords

❌ Repeating the keyword in every sentence

✔️ Using natural language

D. Using keywords that are too broad

❌ NBA  

✔️ NBA standings today

E. Not using long‑tails

❌ Only targeting high‑competition terms

✔️ Ranking fast with specific searches

Final Takeaway for Total Apex Writers

Keyword research is the foundation of SEO writing — without it, articles fail before they’re even published.

Total Apex Keyword Research Essentials

  • Choose a clear primary keyword
  • Support it with secondary keywords
  • Add long‑tail keywords for fast wins
  • Match search intent exactly
  • Place keywords naturally
  • Avoid stuffing
  • Write for readers first, Google second

Mastering keyword research ensures every Total Apex article — across news, gaming, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle — is optimized, discoverable, and built for long‑term traffic.