---
title: "Research keywords"
description: "Validate search demand before writing. Check volume, difficulty, SERP competition, and AI Overview presence."
canonical_url: "https://nuxtseo.com/pro/docs/workflows/research-keywords"
last_updated: "2026-05-06T18:44:35.455Z"
---

The worst bug in content is writing a great article about something no one searches for. 10 minutes of research prevents it.

## From the dashboard

**Keywords → Research** inside any site. Enter a seed topic, tune volume and difficulty filters.

For each result: monthly volume, difficulty 0-100, intent (informational / commercial / etc.), CPC as a commercial-value signal, and a **View SERP** button to see the top 10 before committing.

<tip>

If the SERP is dominated by DR-80+ sites and there's an AI Overview, step back. You'll lose that fight even with great content.

</tip>

## From MCP

Often faster because you'll be chaining with `content_brief` next.

```ts
// Keyword list
keyword_research({
  type: 'research',
  topic: 'nuxt meta tags',
  maxDifficulty: 40,
  limit: 20,
})

// Who owns the SERP?
keyword_research({
  type: 'serp',
  topic: 'nuxt meta tags',
})
```

Ask Claude Code:

> Find 10 long-tail keywords about Nuxt meta tags under difficulty 40, then tell me which ones have an AI Overview.

## Difficulty guide

<table>
<thead>
  <tr>
    <th>
      Difficulty
    </th>
    
    <th>
      Reality
    </th>
  </tr>
</thead>

<tbody>
  <tr>
    <td>
      0-20
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Easy. Good content ranks.
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      21-40
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Medium. Needs depth and some internal link support.
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      41-60
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Hard. Established domain + backlinks required.
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      61-100
    </td>
    
    <td>
      Don't bother unless you're the authority.
    </td>
  </tr>
</tbody>
</table>

## Signals beyond volume

- **SERP features** - AI Overview and featured snippet both steal clicks. 1000-volume keyword with an AI Overview may deliver less than a 200-volume one without.
- **Intent match** - an "informational" keyword won't convert a "buy this tool" page, no matter how well it ranks.
- **People Also Ask** - free FAQ subheadings for your article.
- **Trend** - declining search volume = dying topic.

## Common mistake

Researching in isolation. Instead:

1. [Track competitors](/pro/docs/workflows/track-competitors) first
2. Pull keyword gaps where competitors rank (sourced from your full GSC history via [gscdump.com](https://gscdump.com), so the gap list reflects every query you've ever appeared for)
3. Research the gap list (not cold topics)

Your gap list is already validated (a competitor is ranking for it), so difficulty means "can I match them", not "is this even searched".

## Related

- [Generate a content brief](/pro/docs/workflows/content-brief) is usually the next step.
- [Keyword research MCP reference](/pro/docs/reference/mcp/keyword-research) for every parameter.