Keyword Research for People Who Hate SEO

Let’s be real, the phrase “keyword research” can make even seasoned business owners instantly want to take a nap. It sounds technical. It sounds boring. And for a lot of people, it feels like something only full-time bloggers with spreadsheets and three monitors care about.

But here’s the truth. If you create content online, you’re already doing keyword research. You might not call it that. You might not be doing it on purpose. But every time you try to figure out what your audience is searching for so you can make something they’ll actually click on… congratulations, you’re in keyword territory.

And the good news? It doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need a $100/month tool or a 10-step SEO checklist to make this work. You just need to understand what it really is and how to make it work for you. I've got a few easy ways to begin to make this work for you and these simple shifts will help you tremendously.

1. First, Let’s Kill the Intimidation Factor When people say “keyword research,” what it really means is that you're finding the words and phrases your audience is typing into a search bar so you can use those words in your content.
   

   That’s it. No magic. No secret handshake.
   

   Think of it this way... If you’ve been invited to a party, you should probably know what it’s called and how to get there. Keywords are the address. They tell search engines (and platforms like Pinterest, YouTube, and even Instagram) what your content is about so they can show it to the right people. Otherwise, it's just content hanging out on the interwebs with no eyes finding it. And that's a true shame!
   

2. Start Where You Already Are This is important because the words "keyword research" can send even a season content creator into a tailspin. If the thought of opening a keyword tool makes you want to close your laptop, start with the places you already use every day.
   

   Here’s where I look first:
   

   Pinterest search bar- This is a GOLDMINE. Start typing in your topic and watch what pops up. Those auto-suggestions? They’re actual phrases people are searching for.

   Google autocomplete- Same thing. Start typing your topic and see what pops up. Let Google do the work and pay attention to the ways that the words are phrased together.

   YouTube search- Another goldmine for content ideas because video titles are often built around high-traffic keywords. Plus, this will continue to help you understand exactly what people are searching for.

   Your own DMs, emails, and comments- This one is often overlooked, BUT pay attention to the exact wording your audience uses when they ask you questions. Those are likely the words they are searching for when they are typing their painpoints into search bars.
   

   This isn’t about being fancy, honestly? It’s about listening. You don’t have to dig through a mountain of data. You don't need the latest subscriptions or an SEO expert. You just have to notice what’s already in front of you.
   

3. Use the “One Layer Deeper” Rule Once you find a keyword, don’t stop there. Ask yourself: What would someone type if they were a little more specific? Like this: If you find that the words “Instagram engagement,” are highly searched, go one layer deeper. Try searching for:
   

   • “Instagram engagement tips for small businesses”

   • “How to increase Instagram engagement without ads”

   • “Instagram engagement ideas for service providers”
     

   And see what pops up or what other words are being used. These longer, more specific keywords (a.k.a. long-tail keywords) usually have less competition and they’re easier to rank for. Plus, they match the exact questions people are asking.
   

4. Don’t Just Collect Keywords. Actually Use Them Here’s where people get stuck: they find great keywords, then… never use them. womp womp

   The solution is fairly simple. You want those keywords to naturally show up in your blog post titles, Pinterest pins text, YouTube titles and descriptions, Instagram captions (yes, Instagram uses keywords now too), the first few sentences of your content and captions.
   

   It's not about keyword stuffing, it’s about making it obvious what your content is about so the right people can find it.
   

5. Focus On Humans, Not Robots It’s easy to get so focused on “ranking” that you forget why you’re doing this in the first place.

   Keyword research isn’t about tricking an algorithm, it’s about understanding your people. It’s listening for the exact words they use so when they stumble on your content, they feel like you’re reading their mind.
   

   Because at the end of the day, traffic doesn’t come from just showing up, it comes from showing up with the right message in the right place at the right time. And keyword research? That’s just the process that you can use that can get you there.

If the idea of “SEO” still makes your eyes glaze over, forget the jargon and remember this: keyword research is simply a way to get closer to the people you’re trying to help. It’s not about gaming the system, it’s about being findable when someone needs exactly what you offer. When you strip away the pressure and see it for what it really is, it becomes less of a chore and more of a compass. And once you have that compass, every piece of content you create has a better chance of leading the right people straight to you.

If you're ready, I created The Traffic Keyword Kit that is going to give you the EXACT strategy I use to this day with my clients. It's simple, effective, and it works. Check it out HERE and let's get this thing moving forward!