How Can You See What Google Likes in Terms of Keywords?

The best way to discover what keywords Google prefers is to use an incognito browsing tab and search for your specific service along with your location. By examining the organic search results, you can identify the keywords those top-ranking pages are using.

Full Explanation

Understanding which keywords Google favors can be achieved simply by observing the organic search results for your target queries. When you search with your service and location, Google shows results it believes are most relevant and authoritative. The keywords used in these pages reveal what Google values for those specific topics and locations.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Open a new incognito tab in your browser. This ensures your search history or personal data won’t influence the search results.
Enter a search phrase consisting of your service combined with your location.
Look at the organic results—the non-paid listings Google ranks based on relevance and quality.
Carefully analyze the keywords these top-ranking pages frequently use in their titles, headings, and content.
Use these insights to tailor your own content and keyword strategy.

Real Examples

When you search for something like “plumbing services in New York,” the pages that appear at the top naturally include keywords such as “plumbing services,” “New York,” and other related terms. These are the keywords Google is rewarding for that location and service combination.

Common Mistakes

Searching in a regular browser window instead of incognito, which can cause personalized results that don’t accurately reflect Google’s general preferences.
Ignoring the organic results and focusing only on paid ads or local packs, which might not reveal the comprehensive keyword usage Google favors.
Failing to analyze the keywords in context, such as overlooking how keywords are integrated naturally within the content.

FAQs

Why should I use incognito mode?: Using incognito mode prevents personalized search results influenced by your history, giving you a neutral view of what Google prefers.
Can I rely on paid ads to see Google’s preferred keywords?: No, paid ads reflect advertisers’ choices, not necessarily what Google favors organically.
How often should I check the keywords Google likes?: Regularly checking helps you stay aligned with any changes Google makes to its ranking preferences.

Key Takeaways

Use incognito mode to avoid personalized search results.
Search for your specific service and location to see relevant organic results.
Analyze the keywords used in top-ranking pages to understand what Google favors.
Incorporate these keywords thoughtfully into your content strategy.