Keyword research for Local SEO

[RedOctobre]

Hey there, can anyone recommend good strategies for local keyword research? Tools like Ahrefs don't drill down locally - so what're some good ways to get specific search volume, competition research, etc specifically for local terms?

I've been leaning on Google Keyword Planner, but as we all know it has a lot of limitations and involves a lot of manual work in the actual SERPs. If anyone knows a good tool for local work I'd love some advice.

 

[indieurbanmusic]

Local SEO is kind of a game.
be sure to have an exact match domain.
Google keyword planner for general info
actually search and see the competing terms when you go
to the bottom of the search results for related searches.
all of these are keywords your prospect is searching.
all you'll need is some profile backlinks
from social networks especially the big 3
ping and share every page on the news side of your site
and make sure to link to your squeezepage right.
repeat on all channels your footprint will grow.
Now you can say you know local SEO

I'm @indegenius_

 

[RedOctobre]

Local SEO is kind of a game.
be sure to have an exact match domain.
Google keyword planner for general info
actually search and see the competing terms when you go
to the bottom of the search results for related searches.
all of these are keywords your prospect is searching.
all you'll need is some profile backlinks
from social networks especially the big 3
ping and share every page on the news side of your site
and make sure to link to your squeezepage right.
repeat on all channels your footprint will grow.
Now you can say you know local SEO

I'm @indegenius_

Thanks, but I'm familiar with the basic steps of SEO. In this case I'm asking specifically about high-volume and in-depth keyword research for local terms. If anyone has a tip or knows a tool that helps prevent you having to switch between half a dozen tabs I'd appreciate a share.

 

[SEOzack]

Thanks, but I'm familiar with the basic steps of SEO. In this case I'm asking specifically about high-volume and in-depth keyword research for local terms. If anyone has a tip or knows a tool that helps prevent you having to switch between half a dozen tabs I'd appreciate a share.

@Holzr Has a solid service for this.

 

[Mr Positive]

Best option is do it manually researching your competitors in google or by checking their gmb review

 

[Holzr]

Ignore search volume, it's dog shit. So innacurate. Focus on population instead.

I do a lot in this space.

Install something like keywords everywhere for Chrome.

There's no proper tool that speeds the process up, it's a time-consuming manual process. I had figured on making a tool but don't have any programming background so not sure where to go. There's a lot of manual work involved with local.

What's your aim? Rank and rent/lead gen?

Process depends on what your aim is.

For me (lead gen) I usually focus on 25k+ population. I use manual work (search intent, GMB comp. local demand etc.) combined with Google search operators and Ahrefs keyword tool to show SERP competition.

 

[RedOctobre]

Ignore search volume, it's dog shit. So innacurate. Focus on population instead.

I do a lot in this space.

Install something like keywords everywhere for Chrome.

There's no proper tool that speeds the process up, it's a time-consuming manual process. I had figured on making a tool but don't have any programming background so not sure where to go. There's a lot of manual work involved with local.

What's your aim? Rank and rent/lead gen?

Process depends on what your aim is.

For me (lead gen) I usually focus on 25k+ population. I use manual work (search intent, GMB comp. local demand etc.) combined with Google search operators and Ahrefs keyword tool to show SERP competition.

Thanks for the info mate. Yeah I've got Keywords Everywhere and the Ahrefs chrome extension that I've been using for manual SERP dives, so it sounds like that'll be the best way forward. Also didn't realize you had a service for local keywords, I'll check it out. My local work is two brick-and-mortar businesses I run along with local lead gen, so roughly the same wheelhouse you're in.

 

[Jeanie Anderson]

Best option is do it manually researching your competitors in google or by checking their gmb review

Yeah, agree with that you should do keyword analysis of your competitors.

 

[John Tran]

I use manual work (search intent, GMB comp. local demand etc.).

Hi Holzr, how do you figure the local demand? On what metrics I wonder? If thats your secret sauce for your work, then it's fine if you wanna keep it
Learned a lot from your posts btw. Thanks.

 

[Holzr]

Hi Holzr, how do you figure the local demand? On what metrics I wonder? If thats your secret sauce for your work, then it's fine if you wanna keep it
Learned a lot from your posts btw. Thanks.

Don't want to give to much away but 25k+ is a pretty safe metric. Take a look at number of local businesses (find them in SERP and Google maps). Local businesses = demand.

 

[willem er]

maybe you should try to find tools in your own area, like a local developer

 

[Andrew Scherer]

I've built a tool called Entity Explorer that is decent for horizontal keyword research. Type in local keywords and it will give you a lot of ideas that are tangentially related. But it doesn't give volume.

 

[Holzr]

I've built a tool called Entity Explorer that is decent for horizontal keyword research. Type in local keywords and it will give you a lot of ideas that are tangentially related. But it doesn't give volume.

Awesome tool, very helpful for building content around. For example typing siding repair gives some great topic examples to write about.