How To Do Keyword Research With ChatGPT

Introduction.

If you’re trying to build a blog, run an online business, or even just get more views on social media, one thing you’ll always hear about is keyword research.

Why? Because without understanding what people are searching for, it’s tough to create content that connects.

Keyword research is how you tap into what your audience cares about—figuring out the questions they’re asking, the products they’re interested in, and the topics that will catch their eye.

So, where does ChatGPT fit in? Well, it’s not just another AI tool; it’s like having a brainstorming partner who’s always ready to talk through ideas and suggest new angles.

ChatGPT can save you time, inspire fresh ideas, and, in many cases, be a simpler alternative to traditional keyword research tools.

Here, I’ll break down how to use ChatGPT for keyword research, making it straightforward and approachable.

Let’s dive in!

Why Keyword Research Matters

Keyword research is essential because it gives insight into what people are actually searching for online. It’s the difference between writing what you want and writing what they want.

When you understand the terms people are typing into search engines, you can tailor your content so that it answers their questions directly, meets their needs, and ultimately ranks higher in search results.

This way, your content isn’t just floating out there on the internet—it’s actually reaching people who are looking for exactly what you’re offering.

Plus, solid keyword research improves your visibility, helps build authority in your niche, and can even drive more traffic and sales.

With ChatGPT, you have a tool that can help you brainstorm and explore keywords in a way that feels conversational rather than technical.

How Can I Do Keyword Research With ChatGPT?

Let’s go through some actionable steps to get the most out of ChatGPT for keyword research. I’ll keep it practical so you can actually apply these steps without needing any background in SEO.

Step 1: Identify Your Topic or Niche

Before diving into keywords, it helps to know your general topic or niche. Think of it as setting the scene for your keyword exploration.

Are you focused on “vegan cooking,” “fitness tips,” or maybe “digital marketing”? ChatGPT is great for helping you hone in on subtopics and related themes within your main topic.

For example, you could start by asking ChatGPT:

“Can you give me some subtopics related to vegan cooking that are popular right now?”

This can help spark ideas that are both relevant and timely. ChatGPT can give you ideas like “plant-based protein sources,” “easy vegan recipes for beginners,” and “budget-friendly vegan shopping.”

Step 2: Ask ChatGPT for Keyword Ideas

Once you have your topic, start exploring specific keywords. Since ChatGPT isn’t a search engine or SEO tool, it won’t give you exact search volumes or competition scores.

However, it can help generate a list of potential keywords, often including long-tail keywords (phrases with three or more words), which are incredibly valuable because they target more specific searches and often have less competition.

Try asking ChatGPT:

“Can you suggest some keywords for vegan cooking?”

Or get even more specific:

“What are some long-tail keywords for budget-friendly vegan recipes?”

ChatGPT can suggest keywords like “cheap vegan meals,” “how to save money on vegan groceries,” or “vegan meal prep under $20.” These keywords tend to have a more specific audience, making it easier to rank for them.

Step 3: Use ChatGPT for Content Ideas Based on Keywords

Keyword research isn’t just about finding keywords; it’s about understanding what content those keywords could lead to.

ChatGPT can help turn keywords into full content ideas, making it easier to plan your blog posts, videos, or social media content.

Try something like:

“Can you suggest blog post ideas based on the keyword ‘plant-based protein sources’?”

ChatGPT might respond with ideas like “Top 10 Plant-Based Protein Sources You Didn’t Know About,” “How to Get Enough Protein on a Vegan Diet,” or “Plant-Based Protein for Athletes: What You Need to Know.”

This can help you quickly build out a content calendar or brainstorm new ways to approach your topic.

Step 4: Explore Question-Based Keywords

Question-based keywords are particularly useful because they align with people’s search intentions. Many users type questions directly into Google—things like “How can I start vegan cooking?” or “What are the best plant-based proteins?”

You can ask ChatGPT directly for questions:

“What are some common questions people might have about vegan cooking?”

It could suggest questions like:

• “How do I make sure I’m getting enough nutrients on a vegan diet?”
• “What’s the best way to start a vegan diet?”
• “How can I make vegan meals on a budget?”

These question-based keywords can become titles for blog posts or video content, making your material more discoverable and engaging.

Step 5: Expand on Related Keywords and Topics.

After you have a list of primary keywords, ChatGPT can help you identify related keywords or even synonyms that might add variety to your content strategy.

This step broadens your scope, so you’re not just repeating the same terms over and over but also covering other relevant areas.

Ask ChatGPT something like:

“What are some related topics to vegan cooking that people might search for?”

ChatGPT might respond with:

• “Plant-based meal prep”
• “Dairy-free baking”
• “Vegan nutrition tips”

These related keywords can be sprinkled into your content to boost your SEO naturally.

Step 6: Fine-Tune for Specific Audiences or Intentions

Sometimes, you might want to target a specific audience or search intent—like beginners, athletes, or budget-conscious readers. ChatGPT can help adjust your keywords for these audiences.

For instance:

“What keywords would appeal to beginners interested in vegan cooking?”

Or:

“What are some budget-friendly keywords related to vegan meal prep?”

ChatGPT can provide more specific ideas that match the tone or focus of your content, making it easier to connect with your target audience.

FAQs

1. Can ChatGPT replace traditional SEO tools like Google Keyword Planner?

Not entirely. While ChatGPT can help with ideas and brainstorming, it doesn’t provide the exact search volume or competition metrics that traditional tools do. I’d recommend using ChatGPT as a supplement to those tools, especially if you’re just starting out or need quick inspiration.

2. How accurate are ChatGPT’s keyword suggestions?

ChatGPT’s suggestions are based on patterns it’s learned from data but don’t come from real-time search data. So, while it can help spark ideas, it’s not as precise as actual keyword data.

3. Can ChatGPT help me understand search intent behind keywords?

Yes! ChatGPT can help you think through the intent behind different keywords. For example, it can help clarify that someone searching “quick vegan recipes” likely wants something simple and fast, not a gourmet meal.

4. Is ChatGPT useful for niche or obscure topics?

Yes, ChatGPT can be a great tool for brainstorming niche topics because it’s not limited to mainstream data. You can ask it about very specific areas within a topic and often get creative ideas.

Conclusion

So, there you have it—a straightforward guide to using ChatGPT for keyword research. It’s not a complete replacement for traditional tools but serves as an amazing resource for brainstorming and expanding your keyword list.

With ChatGPT, you get a more conversational, creative approach to finding content ideas that resonate with your audience.

What other ways could you use ChatGPT to make your keyword research even better?