Short answer

Use a simple 3-step method: Discover related terms, Map them into clusters by intent, and Use them to build one clear, helpful page. This playbook helps you find and prioritize 15+ semantic keywords in under 60 minutes.

Why semantic keywords matter now

Search engines now read meaning, not just exact words. Systems like BERT and RankBrain and modern NLP favor pages that show real topic depth. That means adding conceptually related phrases makes your page useful for more searches and shows topical authority. For a plain read on the concept see The role of semantically related keywords.

Simple wins from semantic keywords

Rank for more long-tail queries without stuffing exact matches.
Signal expertise and context that align with Google's E-E-A-T guidance.
Capture follow-up searches users ask after their first query.

The 3-step Semantic Keyword Research Playbook

Follow these steps to build a semantic core you can plug into any article or product page.

Step 1 — Discover: gather a broad set of related terms

Goal: collect at least 50 related terms and questions around your main topic.

Start with your main phrase. Put your core keyword into tools like Semrush, Surfer, or Ahrefs-like tools to pull related queries and question-based keywords.
Use Google sources. Check Google Trends and the related searches box, and scrape People Also Ask. See how Semrush suggests related topics from Trends.
Mine niche signals. For local intent check how spatial modifiers behave ("near me") as shown in local keyword research. For technical topics scan docs, forums, and product pages to find domain-specific terms.
Capture question and intent variants. Add how/why/best/compare queries. Tools like Ubersuggest and Q&A widgets in Semrush list these.

Quick tip: don’t filter too early. Save the full list to one sheet column.

Step 2 — Map: cluster by topic and intent

Goal: turn raw terms into 10–15 usable semantic keywords grouped by intent.

Create columns: Keyword, Intent (informational/commercial/transactional/local), Volume, Difficulty, and Notes.
Group by concept. Put related items together: parts, symptoms, tools, comparisons, local variants. This is topic clustering and it builds topical authority as explained in semantic SEO guides.
Prioritize by value. Pick 2–3 "priority" clusters that match your page goal. Use volume and difficulty as guides but favor intent fit over raw volume. A low-volume query with high purchase intent can beat a vague high-volume query.
Label target placements. Decide which cluster terms belong in titles, subheads, intro, FAQs, and meta descriptions.

Checkpoint: Can you describe the user intent for your top five items in one sentence each? If not, regroup until you can.

Step 3 — Use: write and signal depth

Goal: create a single page that answers the main query and related follow-ups clearly.

Start with a clear H1 and short intro that answers the query. Use the main keyword and one semantic modifier.
Use H2s as intent buckets. Each H2 should target a cluster ("How it works", "Compare options", "Local buying guide").
Answer questions directly in short paragraphs or bullets. Include example phrases from your semantic list.
Add an FAQ section with question keywords and concise answers. This captures People Also Ask and long-tail clicks.
Internal link to related resources to build topical coverage across your site.

Don't overstuff. Think of semantic keywords as the joints that connect facts, not the nails that hammer them in.

Tool picks: quick comparison

Tool	Best for	Why use it
Google Trends	Fresh interest & related topics	Shows rising queries and related topics; great for semantic discovery (see usage).
Semrush	Large related-keyword lists	Good for volume, intent filters, and question mining.
Surfer	On-page semantic suggestions	Helps match top-ranking pages’ co-occurring terms.
Ubersuggest	Budget keyword ideas	Quick related terms and question lists for small teams.
Site search / forum mining	Niche concepts	Find domain-specific terms not in general tools (docs, forums, product pages).

Examples you can copy

Three short examples that show how to pick semantic terms.

B2B SaaS "project management software": semantic terms: "Gantt charts", "task collaboration", "resource allocation", "time tracking". Use these as H2 topics and feature product screenshots or steps.
E-commerce "running shoes": semantic terms: "pronation support", "heel-to-toe drop", "trail running", "marathon shoes". Use filters and product page copy to surface these terms.
Local service "auto repair": include explicit and implicit local terms like "mechanic near me", "brake repair [city]", and service-specific concepts. See local keyword behavior in this local keyword guide.

Checklist: publish-ready

Have 15+ semantic keywords grouped into 3–5 clusters.
Each cluster has an intent label and 1–2 target placements.
Page contains clear answers for top questions and an FAQ section.
Internal links to 2–3 related pages to show topical depth.
Metadata uses one main keyword and a semantic modifier.

Advanced notes

Measure success by impressions and queries that surface for the page in Search Console, not just the rank for one keyword. Semantic SEO is about breadth. For more tactics on building a semantic core and filtering by volume see a guide on building a semantic core.

Small experiment (5–10 minutes)

Pick one published page. Add one FAQ with a semantic question and answer. Wait four weeks and check Search Console for new queries. Quick check: did impressions or new queries increase? That tells you if your semantic mapping helped.

One last tip

You don’t need every related phrase on one page. Aim to cover the main topic well and use internal links to cover adjacent angles. Quick check: can someone finish their next question after reading your page? If yes, you’re on the right track.

The Semantic Keyword Research Playbook