Should I look at Phrase or Exact Match traffic figures?

[Google Leader]

When doing SEO for a new website, should we choose to count traffic based on phrase matches or exact matches when targeting keyword traffic?

 

[Panther28]

I've no idea, but I know that I'm ranking 1-3 every day from a new site that is about 4 months old, unfinished, and has a few products for sale. For the product description, I used ChatGPT to help craft it, and then I spent 10 minutes editing it. It helps that my product is a standout, unique product in the niche. I plan to release ebooks & other products for related keywords that I THINK people search for that have HIGH RELEVANCE. I didn't check keyword data; I just built a good product with a relevant website in a niche that hasn't been exploited for this type of product yet but is ripe.

 

[MrDenz]

It’s usually smarter to go with phrase matches at the start.

Exact matches are great and all, but they’re super 'specific', so while they can drive quality traffic, they kinda limit you when you’re just trying to build up some traction and authority.

Phrase matches give you more room to play, your site can pop up for variations and related searches, which helps bring in a wider audience.

Once you get a sense of what’s working and you’ve got some momentum, then you can start dialing in on those exact matches.

 

[Google Pioneer]

You should consider both. This way, you can attract a wider audience

 

[Websettled]

Here are some tips that would be helpful for you When doing SEO for a new website, it’s generally better to focus on a balanced strategy that incorporates both phrase matches and exact matches when targeting keyword traffic. Here's how to approach it:

1. Exact Match Keywords​

• Pros: Exact match keywords give you highly targeted traffic. Visitors searching for these keywords are more likely to convert, as they’re looking for something specific.
• Cons: The search volume for exact match keywords is often lower, which can limit your reach.

Use exact match for:

• High-intent, niche-specific searches.
• PPC campaigns (if you want to control ad spend and optimize conversions).

2. Phrase Match Keywords​

• Pros: Phrase match keywords allow for variations in searches, meaning you'll capture more traffic. This is useful for getting more impressions while still keeping some level of relevance.
• Cons: Although broader, phrase matches can bring in less targeted traffic, which may reduce conversion rates.

Use phrase match for:

• Generating more traffic with different search term variations.
• Understanding how users search for related terms that are close to your niche.
• Building a long-tail keyword strategy to capture wider search intent.

Best Practice for a New Website​

For a new website, you should aim for a combination of both strategies:

• Start with phrase match: This will help you capture a broader audience and discover which variations work best for your niche.
• Optimize over time: As you gather data, identify high-converting keywords and shift focus to more exact match terms for better precision and ROI.

Also, focus on LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords and user intent. Search engines are moving towards understanding context and intent, so diversifying your keywords and matching them with the user’s actual needs is key.

 

[Google Leader]

You should consider both. This way, you can attract a wider audience

I can try, but will it be a hassle?

 

[Google Pioneer]

I can try, but will it be a hassle?

Yes, although this is more troublesome than a single one, the result will be better, isn't it?

 

[Google Leader]

Here are some tips that would be helpful for you When doing SEO for a new website, it’s generally better to focus on a balanced strategy that incorporates both phrase matches and exact matches when targeting keyword traffic. Here's how to approach it:

1. Exact Match Keywords​

• Pros: Exact match keywords give you highly targeted traffic. Visitors searching for these keywords are more likely to convert, as they’re looking for something specific.
• Cons: The search volume for exact match keywords is often lower, which can limit your reach.

Use exact match for:

• High-intent, niche-specific searches.
• PPC campaigns (if you want to control ad spend and optimize conversions).

2. Phrase Match Keywords​

• Pros: Phrase match keywords allow for variations in searches, meaning you'll capture more traffic. This is useful for getting more impressions while still keeping some level of relevance.
• Cons: Although broader, phrase matches can bring in less targeted traffic, which may reduce conversion rates.

Use phrase match for:

• Generating more traffic with different search term variations.
• Understanding how users search for related terms that are close to your niche.
• Building a long-tail keyword strategy to capture wider search intent.

Best Practice for a New Website​

For a new website, you should aim for a combination of both strategies:

• Start with phrase match: This will help you capture a broader audience and discover which variations work best for your niche.
• Optimize over time: As you gather data, identify high-converting keywords and shift focus to more exact match terms for better precision and ROI.

Also, focus on LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords and user intent. Search engines are moving towards understanding context and intent, so diversifying your keywords and matching them with the user’s actual needs is key.

Thanks for your reminder

 

[Elite Weblead]

It's generally best to focus on phrase match keyword rather than exact matches, as this allows you to capture a wider range of relevant search queries while still maintaining a good level of targeting, providing a better balance between traffic volume and search intent accuracy. Exact match gives you the most steering over who views your ad, but reaches fewer searches than both phrase and broad match.