What is keyword research?

Keyword research is the process of using either Web-based or desktop software to establish the search volume and commercial viability of a given keyword or key phrase. These are tested in Google and other search engines.

Keyword research is the first step a digital marketer takes when creating an SEO, or search engine optimization, campaign for a client. Knowing which keywords a client's customers type into a search engine to find its product or service allows a search engine marketer to optimize both the HTML and the content of a website to ensure that it receives better rankings in search engines. The process of keyword research results in a website having a commercial advantage over its competitors.