SEO keyword research. Just the thought of it probably makes you groan.
You open up Google Keyword Planner, type in your main keyword, and watch a spreadsheet appear with more numbers than the Matrix.
And then… nothing happens. You spend hours sifting through endless data, unsure whether you’ve struck gold or simply added more random words to your list. Meanwhile, your coffee goes cold, your eyes start twitching, and you begin questioning every life choice that led to this moment.
Sound familiar?
Traditional keyword research for SEO is like trying to have a conversation by only quoting movie lines—technically, you’re talking, but it won’t flow or connect with anyone. That’s where it falls short. It’s methodical, but it’s not very creative, and it certainly doesn’t give you those rare insights that help you *really* connect with your audience.
Also Read: The Ultimate Beginners Guide to PPC Keyword Research
So, what’s a marketer to do? You turn off the tools (just for a bit, promise) and try some unconventional tactics instead. We’ll tell you how to find trending SEO keywords in five ways you might not have tried that won’t leave you cross-eyed and frustrated by lunchtime.
And the best part? These strategies might even be fun*.
We did say MIGHT be!
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Here’s the deal—sticking with the same old keywords for SEO services in Singapore won’t get you far when search trends are constantly shifting. If you want to keep your content relevant, you need to focus on what’s trending right now. Using the latest keywords ensures your content appears in front of the people actively searching for solutions.
Here’s why finding trending SEO keywords makes all the difference:
So, now you know why you need to find trending SEO keywords, let’s tell you how you can find them.
Instead of relying on search volume metrics, why not go straight to where people are actually talking? On Quora and Reddit, you’ll find unfiltered questions, opinions, and discussions about your industry. Whether it's “How do I reduce product returns?” or “What’s the best software for automating tasks?”, these platforms serve as gold mines for capturing the exact words your audience is using.
Start by searching for topics in your niche and paying attention to recurring themes or questions that spark long comment threads. If hundreds of people are chiming in on a discussion, there’s a good chance these keywords are making their way into search bars, too.
The best part about using these sites is that conversations are flowing constantly. Reddit has 73.1 million daily active users and 27 million people use Quora every day. With that said, be sure you’re monitoring recent communication, not threads from a decade ago.
To take this a step further, you can start engaging in these conversations too, but be careful not to sway to the conversation—you’re looking for keywords people are naturally using, not what you think they should be using.
Customer interviews and support calls are rarely explored for keyword research, but these conversations are packed with hidden gems. Customers talk about their frustrations, needs, and goals in their own words, giving you the perfect foundation for new keyword opportunities.
Listen for patterns or phrases that come up again and again. Maybe they’re describing a feature they love (“I use this to streamline my weekly reporting”) or a problem they can’t figure out (“It’s hard to integrate this software with my CRM”). These are the exact phrases potential customers might be typing into Google.
On top of being great for your SEO services, this allows you to get deep into the minds of your customers. Sounds a bit creepy, but it means you can create a strategy and content that connects with them on a deeper level.
Your customer next time you speak to them…
Product reviews on third-party sites like Amazon or G2 can be surprisingly useful for keyword research. And no, it’s not just your own reviews you should be reading—check out what people are saying about your competitors, too. Look for repeated phrases, compliments, and complaints.
If multiple reviewers mention that a product “breaks easily” or they “wish there was a faster way to process orders,” you’ve just uncovered keywords centered around pain points. Addressing these issues directly in your content helps you rank and resonates with what’s already on customers’ minds.
Sometimes, a negative review will reveal a product gap that no one else is addressing—giving you an opportunity to create content that fills that gap and sets your brand apart.
This often-overlooked feature can quickly expand your keyword list without ever leaving the Google search results page. Type in your primary keyword, scroll to the “People Also Ask” section, and voila—you’re looking at questions that real people have asked in relation to your topic.
Interestingly, the majority of searches are now zero-click searches (58.5% of searches in the U.S. and 59.7% in the EU result in zero clicks). A zero click search is when a user finds the answer to what they were searching for before actually clicking into a website. Usually, people find these answers via the People Also Ask feature—if you can create content that appears here, you’ll increase your brand awareness massively.
Another reason it is great for finding trending SEO keywords is because it’s never ending. Each time you click on a question, more related questions appear, giving you a continual stream of new keyword ideas to work with.
Social media platforms are real-time reflections of what’s trending, which makes them great for spotting new keywords before they hit the mainstream. Twitter (or X, or whatever you’re calling it), LinkedIn, and even Instagram can show you what’s gaining traction in your industry.
Pay attention to hashtags, trending topics, and the language being used. Is there a recurring theme people are excited or frustrated about? Perhaps a new product feature everyone’s raving about, or a common challenge that’s getting a lot of attention?
Adapting these insights into your SEO services can give you a headstart on your competitors. The keyword data in most keyword research tools is slightly outdated, meaning you’re essentially looking into the future and predicting what trending SEO keywords will crop up in the coming months.
You to your competitors when you implement these tips…
Sometimes, the old-school approach is still the best option—especially if you want a more data-driven foundation for your SEO strategy. But remember, these methods might not always give you that unique insight or golden nugget of information you’re looking for.
Traditional keyword research has its place. But it’s not the be all and end all like it used to be. You have to diversify how you find trending SEO keywords because it’s the best chance you have of differentiating your strategy from your competitors.
Almost everyone uses the same SEO keyword research tools, meaning they’re all sifting through the same data and spotting the same opportunities.
Mixing it up a bit gives you a break from the worst part about traditional keyword research—it can go on forever. You know it’s bad when you finish the tenth tab on that 1000-line spreadsheet, and your boss looks at you and says to keep going, and you’re thinking if you go any deeper you’ll go blind.
Image Alt: Go Deeper with Keyword Research
SEO doesn’t have to be a grind of technical jargon and endless data crunching. By exploring where your audience naturally hangs out—whether on social forums or in customer conversations—you can find trending keywords that reflect real interests and concerns. And that’s a whole lot more valuable than a search volume number.
Alternatively, if you haven’t got the time, energy, or expertise to get deep into finding trending SEO keywords, why not enlist the help of a specialist like Heroes of Digital. Over 500 businesses, including some of the top SMEs and SMCs in Singapore trust us with their SEO strategies and tactics, including the dreaded keyword research. You can get a free SEO strategy proposal too.
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