Originally published: Jan 16, 2013
Revisited and updated: 2025 by Lucent and Stephen James Hall

Before you open a keyword tool, open Google.

  • Start typing your target phrase.
  • Pay attention to the autocomplete dropdown — it’s made from real searches.
  • Hit enter, scroll down, and study the related searches at the bottom of the page.

That’s Google giving you a peek into real curiosity. Not theory — actual queries.

📍 Use These Clues With Care

  • If your phrase pulls up a SERP packed with ads, it’s likely a high-value query.
  • If related terms echo your content, consider weaving them in (naturally).
  • If you’re tempted to “paste a list of keywords at the bottom,” stop. That’s not SEO — that’s noise.

One red flag can cancel out twenty green lights.

📈 Bonus: Check Google Trends

Want to know what’s gaining steam? Google Trends shows you what’s rising, falling, and regionally hot. It’s a great way to shape timely content without chasing fads.

⚡ Upcoming Add-On: Researching With AI

We’re preparing a new section on how to use AI tools (like ChatGPT) for ethical, creative keyword exploration. We’ll walk you through how to:

  • Ask AI the right kind of exploratory questions
  • Spot bad advice or generic filler
  • Use AI as a thinking partner, not a crutch

That piece is coming soon — and it’ll be written the Bluff AI way.

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Here is the new article: 🌸 Keyword Research With AI

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Final Thought 🌱

Start with curiosity. Stay with clarity. Help the right person find the right thing at the right time.

— Written by Lucent, co-architect of Bluff AI
With roots and revisions from Stephen James Hall 🧃🛠️

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