LSI. Sounds like a new term?
Keep on rolling.
Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) is a part of the Google algorithm.
Knowing about it and implementing it as a part of your SEO strategy is crucial.
This post presents you the concept in an easily understandable way.
What are LSI keywords?
Definition,
"LSI keywords (also known as semantic keywords) are the related keywords to the main keyword. Many of the search engines like Google use it to decide the link between different entities of the web content."
It helps Google get the meaning of the written content. It also deals with search relevancy.
Including LSI keywords with main keywords is SEO friendly.
In earlier days, search engines used exact search query to get results. With this, search engines were not giving accurate results.
Now, search engines analyze the meanings of the search queries. The content synonymically linked to the search query, are also returned.
Google mainly carried out this to fight spammers trying to cheat the search engine by using keyword stuffing.
LSI algorithm tracks down spun content. Article spinning softwares have no capacity to understand the article and rewrite them. Search engines do.
The main power of Latent Semantic Indexing is its ability to expect related words while dealing with a particular topic.
When it comes across unrelated words to the topic. In those cases, it considers the content is spun.
The idea of LSI may be not clear to you now, keep on reading…
What are LSI keywords?
LSI or Latent Semantic Indexing is an alternative term for synonyms or similar words used by Google. Have you ever wondered how Google and other search engines differentiate between homonyms (same word with different meanings)?
Take an example. The term “PS” has different meanings in Google like PlayStation, Photoshop, and so on.
Google gets results based on the keywords you have used after the term “PS”.
Consider an example, where I search for “ps image size”. Google came to know the term “ps” in this context refers to Photoshop. Because I have used “image size” in front of it.
Now Google searches all the content containing the terms Photoshop and image size, both.
It also looks at web pages containing the term "picture size". Because "image" is nothing but "picture". They both are semantically related.
By this, we can say, Google looks at the meaning of the search query. By doing this, it can get what the user is trying to search.
This is a part of Google's LSI algorithm.
Another Example for LSI keywords
You may have noticed this. Google highlights the synonyms in SERPs.
Let me take an example. Search for “ps picture size”. Google highlights the words "picture, photo, image". These Synonyms are LSI keywords in Google vocabulary. Sometimes the synonyms highlighted in SERPs are also called Synonymous LSI Keywords (sLSI).
Now you got a clear idea what is LSI.
How to Find LSI keywords?
You now know about LSI keywords. They are the related keywords for a particular keyword. There are several LSI keyword tools. Among them, the Google search is an excellent tool, all that matters is, you have to learn how to use it.
Here's the simplest way. You can find LSI keywords from search suggestions. And also from related searches at the bottom of the SERPs. These Related keywords are also called Related LSI Keywords (rLSI).
Apart from Google search, you can also use the Google Keyword Planner. The goal is to note all the synonyms to your main focus keyword.
How to Implement LSI keywords for SEO?
Let me take an example.
You are writing an article on Complete Guide to Recover From Google Panda Update. Your prime keyword would be "Recover from Google Panda Update". LSI keywords are "Rescue your site from Google Panda Update, Recover from Google Panda effect, etc."
After you write a post on this, make sure you include related terms like effect, SEO, Penguin Update. If you have a title - “Recover from Panda”, and LSI keywords like SEO, update, etc. in the post, it acts as a content relevancy signal.
Once you put terms like "animal, attack, white bear, etc." Google thinks that your post is about recovering from Panda animal attack.
Avoid repetition of the same keyword over and over. Make use of related keywords, so that it eases out the user to read the content.
Some of the LSI keyword tools
SEOPressor and EasyWPSEO are the two great keyword SEO plugins. You have to at least use one of them. They offer the feature of fetching LSI keywords from various search APIs.
SEOPressor also offers features like On-Page SEO & Multiple Keyword Analysis, Over-Optimization Check, Social SEO, Automatic Smart Linking, LSI Recommendations, and others.
Have at least 2-3 LSI keywords in your 100 words.
The specialty about this plugin is that it displays the "LSI keyword density" of your blog post. It also gives you some LSI keyword suggestions to include in your post.
This plugin cost you some dimes. But it is worth it.
If you are interested in knowing more about LSI or semantic keyword research, do refer the ultimate guide highlighted below.
I've made a separate post on some of the greatest tools for LSI keywords for the research.
Where to include LSI keywords?
LSI and other keywords follow some basic rules. You can include LSI keywords anywhere in the article. In,
- title tag
- header tags
- permalinks
- anchor texts
- beginning paragraph
- ending paragraph
Even, stuffing the LSI keywords all through the blog post smells spammy. Google has grown beyond what you think. Google may punish you for keyword stuffing.
"Using LSI keywords is SEO-friendly and natural. It is better than using the same keyword often in your blog post".
As I said before, use related keywords only to signal content relevancy.
Also read:
I think you have liked this post. If that is true, do like and speak up.
GREAT IDEAS THANKS A LOT FOR THE IDEA.
Glad you like it.
Very Nice and helpful post for me .Now i get to know about LSI keyword and much more .Thanks for sharing such a great post with us .Feeling much glad on being here
Thank you, keep visiting.
Good explanation on LSI – Akshay. You have a fair point too.
In the paragraph on the heading – how to implement LSI key words.. you have mentioned … that –
once you include terms like animal attack, white bear, it will mean that your post is about panda recovery.. i could not understand how? can you elaborate.
It means that the blog post should have more related terms pertaining to the target keyword.
After your explanation…It is quit easy to understand
thanks.
Thanks for clear step by step discussion. I am writing a post and wanting to implement LSI keywords as I came to know that it is the better solution not to repeat the same keywords and as well as also helping to avoid Google Penalty. I have a question, as you mentioned I need to include LSI within title, but problem is I guess if I use my title would be looking long and wired. And I think the content body would be the best place to include LSI. Am I right?
Thanks for posting the meaningful content on LSI Keywords Akshay. I will keep in mind the suggestions you provided in this post while writing future articles for my blog.
Hi Akshay,
Thanks for such a great article. Was a bit confused about the use of “LSI” but now it would help me for getting my posts on google search results.
I was actually looking for the LSI tool and got the idea that google is the best. Its like using google for getting paid from google..
Thanks and regads
Neeraj
Thanks for the great post Akshay. I understand the value of using Google Search and KW Planner to find LSI, but can you recommend any other free tools that maybe are more scalable, and can offer more related kws? Thanks in advance.
Read it and also checked video. Came here from one other post, which was also very useful. Added you to bookmarked sites and thank you, once again for excellent explanation. Regards, Matija, Slovenia
It is so hard to find quality and correct information regarding LSI and how to use it correctly in your content. This article hit the “nail on the head.” I have been research LSI to better understand website siloing and this was a huge help to me. Thank you, Jason
Hey Jason, glad I helped you.
I hope you do implement the strategies that I’ve mentioned.
Thank you.
Terrific amount of information for LSI. Great blog. Thanks Akshay.
No doubt, LSI is a powerful factor of SEO. i really admire how you present all the techniques in this article and made it worth to read. thank you!
Good post Akshey and I loved the way you explained the topic! Keep up the good work
Hi Akshay,
You have made it very easy with screenshots & explanations.
As per the recommendations, we need to keep the keyword density to around 1.5%, which seems very low. So here comes the usefulness of LSI. These related keywords can give significant SEO benefits to the post.
Thanks for sharing this informative article.
Hi, Manidipa.
Glad you loved the post.
LSI keywords density of 1.5 % may appear too low. But it really depends on the topic you are writing about.
And yes, it boosts SEO greatly.
Cheers.
Now I get the point that why LSI keywords are so important for better SEO experience. Thanks for sharing such a great blog with us.
Using exact keywords multiple times does not only tell search engines that you’re pushing specific keywords but users reading the article can sense that there’s something on a post. Aside from it doesn’t look natural, it also sends signal that an article is poorly written because similar words are being overused.
LSI does legit website owners a favor, it makes them an authority in their industry.
Awesome insights to LSI keywords.
I recently came across one LSI keyword generator called “LSIGraph”. I’m quite new to this, but it does feel like a nifty tool for me, what do you think Akshay? Are the suggested keywords LSI Keywords?
Great article! Thanks – defnitely going to buy SEOpressor. My eyes are opened … Just getting ready to launch new version of my own website & blog and didn’t know what I didn’t know …
Caitlin
Hi Caitlin, I am so glad to know that the article opened your eyes. Good luck on your launch. have a wonderful weekend
Thanks for the information! It was really great reading this article- it was so clean and informative. Thanks again!
I’m generally new to blogging and the LSI thing but will need to apply it to a project I’m working on. Your list will be my guide concerning LSI. Thank you.
Your posts are AWESOME – THANK YOU! I’m a newbie here. My site is “under construction”, but I write web content freelance and web design. This will be my “go to” site for info. I am about to look for any posts you may have on how many LSI’s to use, how many other synonyms, etc. I received instructions to use a max of 3 LSI’s plus synonyms related to topic of article. My articles are anywhere from 500-1000 words each.
Thanks for your help by giving information.
I never knew that finding LSI keywords are really simple. Thanks for sharing such deep researched information. Really impressive!
Hi Akshay
There is no doubt that Keywords are the 2nd most important thing after backlinks.
Without targeting the right keyword, we can never drive traffic and sales.
You have written awesome article on LSI keyword which is more much more in-depth than I have ever read.
I would definitely follow what you said in this article. I hope It will help me to target the right keywords.
Thanks for sharing such a nice article with us.
Have a nice weekend.