What are SEO Keywords and How to Choose the Right Ones

If you’ve ever searched for something on Google like “best burgers near me” or “cheap flights to Dubai,” you’ve already seen SEO keywords in action. These little phrases are the secret sauce behind websites showing up when people search online. 

Choosing keywords is just one part of a bigger SEO puzzle. Once you have the right ones, you still need to write great content, build links, and make sure your website is easy to use. That’s where advanced SEO strategies in Dubai can really help boost your visibility and results.

But what are SEO keywords exactly? And how do you choose the right ones for your website? Let’s break it down in a way that’s super simple and easy to follow.

SEO keywords are the words or phrases people type into search engines like Google when they’re looking for something. They could be short and simple, like “shoes,” or longer and more detailed, like “best running shoes for flat feet.”

Businesses and website owners use these keywords to help their content show up when someone searches for those terms. If your website uses the same keywords that people are searching for, there’s a better chance your page will appear in the results.

Let’s say you run a bakery in Abu Dhabi. If people often search “birthday cakes in Abu Dhabi,” that phrase is a valuable SEO keyword for your business. You’d want to use it in your website content so Google knows your site is a good match for those searchers.

Now that we’ve answered the big question—what are SEO keywords—let’s look at how to choose the right ones for your website.

Choosing the right keywords is like picking the right ingredients for a recipe. Get them wrong, and your dish (or website!) won’t turn out well. If you use the wrong keywords, people won’t find your website. But the right ones? They’ll help bring the perfect visitors—people who actually want what you offer.

For example, if you run a salon and use keywords like “DIY haircut tips,” you might attract people who want to cut their hair at home, not visit a salon. But if you use something more relevant, like “professional haircuts in Abu Dhabi,” you’ll get people who are more likely to book an appointment.

It’s also important because keywords affect your place in the search engine results. The better your keywords match what people are searching, the higher your chances of being seen. And being on page one of Google? That’s golden.

Now for the fun part—finding the right SEO keywords for your business. Don’t worry, you don’t need fancy tools to get started. Here’s a beginner-friendly way to begin your keyword research.

Ask yourself: If I were my customer, what would I type into Google to find this service or product?

If you own a yoga studio, maybe your customers search for:

• “yoga classes for beginners”
• “hot yoga in Dubai”
• “yoga studio near me”

List all the ideas that come to mind. Think of what your customers want and how they speak.

Go to Google and start typing one of your ideas. You’ll see suggestions pop up. These are based on real searches! For example, type in “vegan pizza” and you might see:

• “vegan pizza in Abu Dhabi”
• “vegan pizza near me”
• “vegan pizza delivery UAE”

These suggestions are great clues for what people are really searching for.

There are free tools like:

• Google Keyword Planner
• Ubersuggest
• AnswerThePublic

They show you how many people search for a keyword each month and how difficult it might be to rank for it.

Do you know how to do an effective keyword research, it’s good to find a mix of:

• High search volume keywords: These are popular, but also competitive.
• Long-tail keywords: These are longer, more specific phrases like “best budget smartphone under 1000 AED.” They’re less competitive and often bring in the right kind of traffic.

Not all keywords are the same. You need to understand what the person is trying to do when they search. That’s called search intent.

There are four main types:

1. Informational – Looking for information (“what are SEO keywords”)
2. Navigational – Looking for a specific site (“Nike website”)
3. Transactional – Ready to buy or take action (“buy running shoes online”)
4. Commercial – Looking for the best option (“top laptops for students”)

Knowing the intent helps you match your content to what people need. If someone’s ready to buy, give them product pages. If they’re just learning, give them blogs or guides.

Once you’ve got your keywords, don’t just throw them around randomly. Organise them in groups that match your website’s structure. This is called keyword mapping in SEO strategy.

Here’s an example:

• Home page: “digital marketing agency in Dubai”
• Services page: “social media services,” “email marketing Dubai”
• Blog post: “how to run Instagram ads,” “SEO tips for small businesses”

Each page gets a main keyword, and you support it with related terms. This keeps your site focused and helps search engines understand what each page is about.

• Overusing keywords: If you stuff the same word everywhere, it looks spammy. Google might penalise you.
• Targeting only popular keywords: It’s tempting to go for high-volume keywords, but those are very competitive. Mix in some niche ones too.

Ignoring local keywords: If you’re a local business, add your location to keywords. “Hair salon in Dubai” works better than just “hair salon.”

• Look at what your competitors are using. Visit their websites and see what kind of words they include.
• Check your own website analytics. What are people already searching to find you?
• Keep updating your keyword list every few months as trends change.

Choosing keywords is just one part of a bigger SEO puzzle. Once you have the right ones, you still need to write great content, build links, and make sure your website is easy to use. That’s where advanced SEO strategies in Dubai can really help boost your visibility and results.

So, to answer it one more time: what are SEO keywords? They’re the words people type into search engines, and the ones your website needs to match if you want to show up.

Finding and using the right keywords means putting yourself in your audience’s shoes, doing a bit of research, and making sure each page on your website serves a clear purpose. With a bit of practice—and a lot of understanding your audience—you’ll get better and better at making your content findable.

Whether you’re writing a blog, launching a product, or updating your homepage, remember: the right keywords can lead the right people straight to you.