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What are keywords, topics, and differences?

We all have this understanding that in search engine optimization (SEO), content is key. At the same time, in the process of building content, we also need to know the concepts of keywords and topics, as well as their different roles and their impact on SEO in content optimization.

Definition of both

What are the keywords in SEO?

Keywords are words or phrases entered by users in search engines to find specific information. They act as the the bridge between user requests and content.

What is the topic in SEO?

Topic is the core idea or theme around which the content revolves, helping search engines understand the overall direction of the content. In contrast, keywords may be more vague and usually consist of a few words, while the theme is usually a sentence that expresses a more precise meaning.

What's the difference between the two?

Keywords (Word):

what-keywords1

Topic:

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Among them: 'Listcle' is the article type; 'Best AI SEO tools in 202' is the Topic. Here's how you can differentiate the two of them.

DifferenceKey words (Keyword)Theme
ScaleSingle queryThe theme may contain several keywords
PurposeVery relevant to search enginesRelated to the content itself, it is easier to express people's subjective intentions
IntentionRepresents a clear search intentThe coverage will be broader and closer to human semantics
FlexibilityKeywords need to be carefully selected (more relevant to search engines).More flexible in presentation

Why switch from keywords to topics?

With Google's algorithm update, search engines pay more attention to the semantics and relevance of content. Content is key, and it will increasingly be the driving force of search engine optimization (SEO) in the future. Understanding the difference between themes and keywords is very important for SEO strategies. Topics are broad themes around which content revolves, while keywords are specific words entered by users in search engines. Keywords are used to optimize search rankings, especially for specific searches, while themes provide direction for content, helping to establish website structure and theme authority. Focusing on themes helps improve visibility in search results, enhance website authority in search engines, and avoid negative effects caused by keyword stuffing.

How to use QuickCreator

Starting from writing about keywords, QuickCreator will help users search for a large amount of content on the Internet, learn with AI, and provide feedback to readers on topics related to these keywords. After readers make their choices, they can proceed to the next writing process. Let's take an example: suppose we use the input keyword "AI SEO tools".

what-keywords3

QuickCreator will search, read and analyze online articles, and summarize the following topics:

what-keywords4

We can analyze the writing and commercial intentions of these topics

TopicWritingWriting intentionCommercial intent
Write a 'Listicle' blog post on 'Best AI SEO Tools in 2024'ListcleList a series of tools and provide advantages and disadvantages, comparisons, etc. of different toolsInformational/Commercial
Write a 'How' blog post on 'How AI SEO Tools Improve Website Optimization'How toHow to use AI SEO Tools to optimize articles and guide users to use the tools wellInformational
Write a 'Review' blog post on 'Reviews of Popular AI SEO Tools'ReviewReview the development history of AI SEO tools and guide users to understand historyInformational
Write a 'Guide' blog post on 'Guide to Free and Paid AI SEO Tools'GuidesGuide users to choose "Free" and "Paid" AI SEO ToolsCommercial
Write a 'Tips' blog post on 'Tips for Using AI SEO Tools Effectively'TipsHow to use AI SEO Tools more efficiently, guiding users to use the tools wellInformational
Write a 'Trends' blog post on 'Latest Trends in AI SEO Tools'TrendsLooking ahead to the future of AI SEO tools, guiding users to have correct expectations for the futureInformational

Summary

Google's algorithm has evolved significantly in recent years, becoming more complex. In order to better understand the context and intent behind user search queries, Google no longer relies solely on keyword matching, but instead seeks content that comprehensively covers specific topics and provides value to searchers. When a website is optimized around a theme, the content naturally includes various related keywords, synonyms, and phrases. We found that the theme is broader and covers many related contents, while keywords are clearly targeted phrases in the content. Focusing on the theme rather than keywords is consistent with the ultimate goal of SEO - to provide valuable, engaging, and relevant content to the audience. QuickCreator will help users further optimize and generate topic-oriented content based on keywords. These contents may attract visitors to your website, be more valuable and attractive, further retain readers and encourage them to return.