A complaint I’m hearing a lot recently involves the use of keywords and search terms that bring in visitors the blogger doesn’t want. I know this sounds like the opposite of what you would want, but these are readers brought in by specific keywords, not ones that hang around, subscribe, or return. They are the lookie-loos. Peak and gone.

I really want to help people find the information they need, not provide false hope. If I find a specific keyword or phrase is bringing in traffic that I don’t want, especially if it brings them in without the promise of an answer, I reconsider my word choices on the articles that are bringing in that attention.

So while keywords inspire content, they can also inspire you to change your word choices to improve your “sticky” success rate.

@Lin: How do you determine if a search hits zero results, do you use a plugin such as Psychic Search, or is it a standard feature in Google Analytics? I’m curious.

@Maw: Welcome to the comment section of the Blog Herald, we’re glad you share your thoughts with us. For your info: in my Google results you show up as #1 :)

I also know that most people were looking for quotes for A Thousand Splendid Suns. So of course, I include my favorite quote. Now when you search for “quotes a thousand splendid suns” I’m now #2! I’m so excited! The majority of my traffic comes for this one post.

Thanks for a great blog. I read it everyday in my reader but first time commentator.

I use keyword referral research quite often, and it’s worked to my advantage in many ways.

Using keyword stats provides ample opportunity to develop more posts on the topics, using those specific keywords used, linking to other related posts.

Doing that very thing can greatly increase the time visitors spend reading your blog, because they are given more valuable information to further their understanding and knowledge on the specific topic.

Spending time doing keyword research can also give you clear and concise keywords people use on a particular subject where there are ZERO search engine results, giving you the perfect post title for that topic. It works very well I must say. :)