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Keyword optimization is crucial to improving the organic traffic of a site.

However, with the numerous Google algorithm updates, optimizing a website for SEO doesn’t cut it. Online marketers have to keep up with the changes and adjust their content accordingly.

One such algorithm is the need for sites to use Latent Semantic Indexing instead of long-tail keywords. The Hummingbird Update of 2013 was introduced to eliminate the use of single keywords to make it easy for search engines to provide relevant search results to users.

Google later changed its search methods by introducing Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) keywords. The text elaborates on the subject and how SEO experts can use the tool to enhance organic traffic.

 

What is Latent Semantic Indexing?

It is an algorithm that enables search engines to understand the context on the web page, make an accurate comparison with other search results and match it with the user’s query. This way search engines use more detailed information that helps them to relate context and language.

The algorithm evaluates the semantic relationship between documents using vectors, cosine similarities, and other complex mathematical relations. As such, semantic relationships are classified in two ways:

  • Semantically close relations: it occurs when documents have many similar words
  • Semantically distant relations: In this case, documents have a few related words

Google determines if the documents are semantically close or distant by analyzing patterns in the context. The patterns can be in the form of similarities and synonyms, phrase correlations and associations, or the number of synonyms used.

The algorithm calculates similarity features based on the patterns, assigns a value to the document and displays search results that match the user’s query.

 

 

Why Use Latent Semantic Indexing Keywords

Proper use of Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) keywords has become an essential component of on-page SEO. It was created to do away with poor SEO practices like keyword stuffing making SEO a complex application that requires online marketers to master new concepts and adjust old methods.

Here are other benefits of LSI keywords:

  • Eliminates ambiguity and the use of homonyms
  • Latent Semantic Indexing enhances search engine results ranking hence increasing organic traffic
  • Also, it has the ability to create natural texts

How to Use LSI Keywords

1. Determine the Best Place to Use LSI Keywords

For optimal results, you want to place the keywords strategically. Here are places you can include them:

  • In the first paragraph of the text
  • Spread it throughout the blog post
  • In the last paragraph
  • Use it as anchor text
  • Using semantic keywords when developing ALT tags

 

2. Structure Your Content

Apart from the appropriate placement of LSI keywords, you need to structure your content for quality, grammar and employ excellent organization skills. If you are using tags, the headlines ought to match the context, and the body of the text should be relevant.

Understand how each component of the article affects ranking and organic searches. Italicized and bolded words, for example, help you optimize content for SEO success.

Keyword synonyms, on the other hand, enhance the value of content and page relevance.

 

3. Find Useful LSI Keyword Generators

As others think finding appropriate LSI keywords is difficult. However, with effective Latent SematicI keyword generator tools, you can find keywords that boost the effectiveness of SEO strategy while improving organic searches.

 

Paul Simiyu

Founder and Team Lead of Simpaul Design, a brand strategy and design agency in Nairobi, Kenya. Here at Simpaul Design, we work with brands across various categories with a focus on connecting with consumers and building brands that people want to be a part of. We specialize in brand identity and strategy, UX/UI, and brand transformation.