LSI keywords are often seen as an important factor for improving Google rankings. But is it really true, or does SEO make it easy?

Although Google has indicated that it does not explicitly use LSI keywords in its ranking algorithms, integrating related terms can still improve the content and search performance of the content.  Despite this, there is still plenty of confusion about what LSI keywords actually are and how they fit into modern SEO strategies.  

With this in mind, this guide will teach you what LSI keywords are, clarify common misconceptions, and help you understand how to use them effectively. 

But first, let’s undergo basic … 

What are LSI Keywords?

LSI keywords, also known as latent semantic indexing of keywords, are words and expressions that provide context to your main subject. By this, we do not mean synonyms, but extra words related to our primary keywords.

The idea was developed by Susan Dumanis in the 1980s. She studied how words connect in large texts. This helps us find patterns and understand a large text body better.

For better understanding, let’s say our topic is “bat.” Now the word “Bat” can have two differing meanings – flying mammal or equipment used in sports. When writing if your content uses words like “cricket,” “baseball,” or “sports equipment,” it doesn’t take a mind reader to figure out you are talking about the equipment. The more context we provide to our topic using simple words, the easier it is for the search engines to crawl it. 

LSI Keywords vs. Synonyms?

Synonyms are two or more words with the same meaning – for instance, “happy” and “happy” are two words with the same meaning.

LSI keywords, however, are not synonyms. They are related words that give extra context to your topic. While a synonym replaces a word, an LSI keyword expands the subject by including related ideas and concepts.

Let’s take an example of the topic “gardening.”. A synonym for gardening can be “horticulture” or “cultivation.” But in the case of semantic keywords, we will use terms like “Landscape Architecture,” “Plant Care,” and “Soil Quality.” These are not synonymous terms. They help search engine crawlers or spider bots to understand the complete context of our topic.

With plain words, the more context that we give our subject, the more easily search engines can crawl.

How Do Semantic Keywords Work in Search?

Search engines don’t rely on a single keyword to find your page. Instead, they analyze how all the words are connected to understand the overall context. For example, a page about “smartphones” will also consider related terms like “mobile devices,” “iPhone,” and “Android.”

When someone searches for “best photography smartphones,” search engines look beyond just “smartphone” to concepts like “camera quality” and “lens technology.” This approach helps match your page to various search queries, even with different phrasings.

Though LSI itself isn’t how Google ranks pages, using semantically related terms enhances clarity and usefulness for both search engines and readers.

How Google Views Related Terms

Google’s search algorithms have evolved to understand the meaning behind queries rather than just exact words. This shift to semantic search enables Google to recognize intent and the connections between different words.

As per Google Cloud, “Semantic search is a data searching method that emphasizes interpreting the contextual meaning and intent of a user’s search query.” 

Google achieves this through sophisticated algorithms like Bert (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) and MUM (Multitask Unified Model).

• BERT assists Google in comprehending how words are placed in a sentence and makes the search results more precise.
• MUM takes this further by processing information across different languages and formats to understand topics in more depth.

As Google describes MUM, “MUM not only understands language, but also generates it… allowing it to develop a more comprehensive understanding of information and world knowledge than previous models.”

Google now ranks content based on overall meaning rather than specific keywords. For content creators, this means:

• Using related terms naturally instead of keyword stuffing.
• Focusing on fulfilling search intent rather than just matching words.
• Ensuring well-structured and naturally flowing material.

By producing relevant, high-quality content, websites can align better with Google’s interpretation of search, boosting their chances of ranking higher.

Of course, In everyday topics like cooking or travel, we naturally use related terms. However, with complex subjects like blockchain technology or specialized medical equipment, it’s harder to incorporate those terms. This is where researching semantic keywords can enhance your content and improve its search engine optimization.

How to Find Semantic Keywords

Discovering appropriate related keywords does not necessarily need to be difficult. There are a number of easy ways to find associated terms that provide depth to your content. Below are some practical methods to help you identify LSI keywords effectively.

1. Brainstorming Manually

Sometimes, the best semantic keywords come from common sense and industry knowledge. Think about the words and phrases people naturally use when discussing your topic.

Ways to brainstorm LSI keywords:

• Look for keywords on social media platforms and Q&A and community sites Reddit, Quora, and Facebook.
• Observe the terms and words that people usually use in reviews, comments, or chatboxes.
• Make a list of common words that are in accordance with your content.

2. Using Google Autocomplete

One of the simplest methods to find related terms is Google’s search bar. As you enter a query, Google provides other phrases based on actual searches by users. These are indicators of what people are looking for that relates to your subject.

How to use it:

• Type your main keyword into Google and observe the autocomplete suggestions.
• Use incognito mode to get unbiased results free from your search history.
• Try different variations of your keyword to uncover a wider range of terms.

3. Checking Google’s Related Searches

Google also features a “Related Searches” list on the bottom of the page of search results. These are additional keywords that users commonly search for alongside your main query.

How to use it:

• Search for your main keyword and scroll to the bottom of the page.
• Note the recurring phrases and variations that appear.
• Compare these suggestions with your existing content to see where they fit naturally.

4. Using Keyword Tools

Several tools are designed to help you find semantic keywords quickly. These tools analyze search trends and user behavior, giving you a list of terms often connected to your main topic.

Popular tools to try:

• SEMrush Keyword Magic Tool – Helps you find related keywords and common search queries based on real data.

• AnswerThePublic – Provides keyword ideas in the form of commonly asked questions.

• AlsoAsked – Shows how search queries are connected in Google’s People Also Ask section. 

How to use these tools effectively:

• Type in your primary keyword and explore the related terms.
• Choose the ones that naturally fit your content.
• Focus on addressing user intent instead of forcing extra keywords into your article.

5. Learning from Competitors

Your competitors are also a good place to find semantic keyword ideas. When you review top-ranking pages in your background, you’ll be able to recognize the words and related terms they are frequently using and how they are formatting their content. 

How to analyze competitors:

• Use Ahrefs or SEMrush style=”font-weight: 400;”> to scan high-ranking pages for keyword variations.
• Identify patterns in the keywords they use frequently.
• Make use of relevant terms in your content naturally while maintaining originality.

• Headings and Subheadings – Helps break up content and improve search visibility.
• Body Text – Use related terms naturally as part of your explanation.
• Meta Descriptions – Briefly summarize the content using a mix of main and related keywords.
• Image Alt Texts – Describe images using relevant terms to improve SEO.

2. Maintain a Balance

Overusing a single word over and over will make your content difficult to read and will reduce readability. 

Best practices for balance:

• Use related keywords only where they add value.
• Mix them with your primary keyword naturally.
• Avoid repeating similar terms unnecessarily.

3. Practical Example

To understand this better, let’s take an example of keyword “running shoes.” Now a poorly optimized sentence may look like this:

A well-optimized version with semantic keywords would be:

In the second statement, we have naturally used terms like  “footwear,” “comfort,” and “jogging.” Now, these semantic keywords will help Google crawl your content better without getting confused by the overuse of a single word. 

This is the proper utilization of semantic keywords. This way, your content stays natural, readable and properly optimized for both the search engines and readers. 

Are Semantic Keywords Enough for SEO Boost? Considering the Larger Picture

Including semantic keywords in your content is a good SEO practice. But using them alone is not enough for an effective SEO strategy. To reach the complete potential of search engine functionality, there are many other factors playing a vital role. Things to consider: 

• High Quality Content: Creating good, informative, interesting, and useful content is the key to SEO success. This involves not just including keywords but also exploring topics in detail and updating content from time to time to give it a new look. ​
  
• Page Speed: Web pages that load quickly improve user experience and rank well with search engines. Proper image optimization, browser caching, and code optimization can enhance page speed.
  
• Mobile-Friendliness: Since most searches are currently done on mobile devices, your website needs to be mobile-friendly. Responsive web design and mobile-optimized content help improve rankings. ​
  
• Backlink Quality: Acquiring backlinks from other credible and related websites informs search engines that your content is authoritative and can be relied upon. ​

Focusing on these factors in conjunction with semantic keywords will help you develop a strong SEO strategy that makes your site more visible and functional.

How Data Aids the Position of Semantic Keywords in SEO

Before we wrap up, let’s look at some studies and updates that highlight how search engines value semantic relevance. Although these verify the significance of related terms, they also demonstrate that good SEO performance is reliant on a mixture of a few different factors, not merely keywords.

• Backlinko’s study of 11.8 million Google search results found that well-detailed pages rank better. These pages cover related subtopics and answer connected questions, rather than focusing solely on one keyword.
• Google’s algorithm updates, like Hummingbird, RankBrain, and BERT, emphasize understanding context over simple keyword matching. Now, well-structured and context-rich pages rank higher in search results.

While semantic keywords are important, true SEO success comes from blending them with quality content, technical optimization, and solid site authority.

Final Thought

While there’s debate about the role of LSI keywords in SEO, the takeaway is simple: search engines value clarity, context, and user intent over keyword repetition. Including related terms naturally can improve understanding, but it’s just one part of a broader strategy. Focus on creating helpful, well-structured content—because that’s what truly makes a difference.

Frequently Asked Questions