Are you trying to boost your online presence internationally but it’s not quite working? You may not be conducting the proper research. Conducting and applying an International SEO keyword research strategy is essential to online visibility.
What is International SEO Keyword Research?
International SEO is all about optimising your content for other regions to boost your global visibility. However, it’s not as simple as just translating your whole website into a different language. You also have to analyse what your competitors in that region are doing! Whoever is the best at targeting keywords comes out on top.
Keyword research tools can help you find specific keywords in a country, making it easier to identify trending keywords. This ensures the keywords that you’ve selected are relevant. Try regional keyword variations as not all countries search the same way.
Here are the International SEO best practices to follow
Identifying your target market
International keyword research requires you to identify and understand cultural differences in the global market. Check the relevant keywords in different countries, considering cultural factors and the popular search engine in each region.
Search engines like Google are more widely used across the world. But would you be surprised if some countries use other search engines more? Like how China’s Baidu is the most used in the country, whereas Russia’s most used search engine is Yandex.
Use the proper tools
Keyword research tools can help you identify relevant keywords in specific regions. SEMRush and Google Keyword Planner are tools for finding the most relevant keywords. They display information such as keyword density, keyword difficulty and search volume- providing insights into local searches.
Using these tools hand-in-hand with a VPN helps to simulate the search engine results of a different country. Analysing keyword density and search volume is crucial for selecting the right keywords and boosting online visibility.
Keyword Localisation
Direct word-for-word translations may not carry the same meaning in another country. This means that your local SEO strategy might not work in the international market. Instead, study the culture to understand local keywords, which will help you accurately identify their search intent. Localisation is not a direct translation.
Keywords can vary between countries; for example, Americans say “vacation,” while the British say “holiday.” Recognizing these differences helps you choose the right keywords to reach your target audience and improve visibility.
Hreflang Tag Implementation
Implementing Hreflang tags enables the search engine to know what region or language your webpage is targeting. It helps the search engine understand which webpage to bring users- based on their location or desired language.
When Hreflang is used- users now don’t have to visit a different website to get it in their desired language. Creating a better user experience for your clients, boosting viewer retention and increasing your online presence.
Analyse Competitor Keywords
Researching your competitors can expose gaps in their approach- giving you the advantage of being able to refine it. Are they targeting the best keywords? Can you use other keywords to outrank them? Competitors in the target country have better-localised content.
Look at how they are optimising their content in the region—they might just be more in touch with the local culture. Researching competitors in the region can help you learn from their mistakes and grow your audience.
Keep an eye on Search Volumes and Trends
If you’re not using keyword research tools yet- start now! Search volume and keyword density is the key to making sure you’re competing for the right keywords. Keywords that work in one country may not work in another, so focus on which keywords are effective in the specific region.
Not only regional keywords but also seasonal trends. During the holiday season, you’ll see some seasonal keyword trends. For example, ‘Christmas presents’ will have little to no search volume early in the year, but you’ll see a huge spike toward the end.

(Image Source: envato.com)
Here are some things to avoid
Ignoring Cultural Differences: Invest in understanding the culture of your target audience. Recognising the cultural differences in another region can help you determine the appropriate keywords. Because of the differences in slang and phrases that they may use, it may be best to hire a native speaker.
Applying a one-size-fits-all strategy will not be very effective in International SEO. In other words, understanding the differences between cultures can help your international SEO strategy and increase your online visibility.
Overlooking Mobile Optimisation: In many regions, mobile searching dominates the search engines. Ensuring that your website content is mobile-friendly can help boost your online digital presence.
Mobile optimisation consists of many elements- such as responsive design, increasing page load speed and optimising content layout. An SEO agency will be able to help you with all these elements.
Using a Single Keyword Strategy: Tailoring a keyword strategy for each region is a smart approach for international SEO. A diverse strategy helps drive more traffic to your website by targeting the right audience.
Conclusion
Applying International SEO Keyword Research can bring massive benefits to your website. This includes improved visibility, higher retention and ranking to name a few. It is more than just translating keywords- it is also about understanding their culture.
Use keyword research tools to determine the appropriate keywords in each region. Keep up with new and relevant keywords, as they are constantly changing. Expand your online presence infinitely with the proper International SEO Keyword Research.
If you need help with your International SEO Keyword research and strategy, don’t hesitate to contact us now!