Branded Keywords: Understanding Their Role in Blog SEO

Last Updated August 17, 2024

When working on SEO for your blog, you may encounter various types of keywords. Among these, branded keywords are often discussed. What is a branded keyword? Simply put, these are terms that incorporate a brand name or a specific product. Examples include names like “RightBlogger” or “Lululemon,” and even more specific phrases like “Lululemon yoga mats.”

What is a Branded Keyword?

A branded keyword incorporates the name of a brand or one of its products. Examples include “Apple” for the brand or “iPhone 14” for a product. These keywords are tied directly to the brand, unlike generic keywords that are broader and not brand-specific.

Branded keywords attract users who are already familiar with the brand and are often further along in the buying process. However, the ease of ranking for these terms varies significantly based on factors like the brand’s online authority, competition strength, and the keyword’s specificity.

This makes strategic use essential for content creators looking to leverage these terms effectively.

Branded Keywords: Seemingly Low Competition

Branded keywords, such as “Lululemon yoga mats” or “Squarespace reviews,” often come up in SEO tools as having high search volume with low competition. This might suggest they are golden opportunities for your content strategy.

The logic is straightforward: fewer people are competing for these terms, so you should have a better chance at ranking high, right?

The Reality of Ranking for Branded Keywords

However, there’s a twist in the narrative. Although these keywords appear less competitive, the reality on the ground is quite different. Searching for a term like “Lululemon yoga mats” predominantly pulls up Lululemon’s official site along with major retailers like Amazon. The presence of such heavyweight domains means the actual competition is fierce.

Furthermore, high-intent terms like “Squarespace reviews” might attract visitors with a strong purchase intent — ideal for driving affiliate sales. But here’s the catch: to genuinely compete for such terms, your site needs to have established substantial authority and longevity.

Newer sites or those with lower domain authority will find it challenging to make a mark against well-entrenched competitors.

Key Takeaways for Bloggers

Branded keywords might seem an alluring path due to apparent low competition and high search volumes, but they often prove to be more challenging than many keyword tools indicate. For bloggers, especially those just establishing their presence online, it’s important to approach these keywords with caution.

Here are some points to consider when using branded keywords:

Site Authority Matters: Your site’s age and authority play a crucial role in your ability to rank well for branded keywords.
Check the Competition: Always analyze the top-ranking pages for the keyword. If major brands dominate the search results, ranking high will be a significant challenge.
Adjust Your Strategy: Depending on your website’s current status, you might need to target less competitive niches initially.

Conclusion

In summary, while “What is a branded keyword?” might seem a simple query, the strategic approach to incorporating these into your content requires careful thought.

Branded keywords are not the low-hanging fruit they appear to be in keyword research tools. Ensure your SEO strategy and site readiness align well with the realities of these competitive terms, setting realistic targets and timelines for your SEO gains.

As always, keep researching, experiment with different keywords, and refine your strategies based on actual results and analytics.

What are branded keywords (and how are they different from regular keywords)?

Branded keywords are search terms that include a brand name or a product name. Examples are “RightBlogger,” “Apple,” or “iPhone 14.”

Regular (non-branded) keywords do not include a brand name. They are more general, like “best yoga mats” or “website builder reviews.”

Branded keywords often bring visitors who already know the brand. That usually means they are closer to buying, but it can also mean the search results are tougher to break into.

Why do branded keywords look “low competition” in SEO tools but still feel hard to rank for?

Branded keywords can look easy in keyword tools, but the real search results often tell a different story. Many times, the brand’s own site ranks first, plus big sites like Amazon or major review sites.

Those pages have strong authority and lots of links, so they are hard to beat. Even if fewer people write about the term, the top competitors can be extremely strong.

Before you choose a branded keyword, search it on Google and look at the first page. If you see mostly huge brands and trusted sites, you may need a different angle or an easier keyword first.

Are branded keywords worth targeting for affiliate content and reviews?

Yes, branded keywords can be worth it because they often show strong buying intent. A search like “Squarespace reviews” usually means the person is deciding and may be ready to sign up.

The tradeoff is difficulty. If your site is new or has low authority, it can be hard to outrank the brand and large publishers.

A smarter approach is to start with more specific topics that match what people compare and ask. For example, focus on use cases, alternatives, or “best for” posts, then build up to the main branded term over time.

How do I know if my site has enough authority to go after branded keywords?

If your site is newer, has few backlinks, or struggles to rank for easier keywords, branded terms are usually a tough bet. Brands and large sites often dominate these searches.

Do a quick reality check by reviewing the top results. If the first page is filled with the brand’s site, major retailers, and long-established review sites, you will likely need more authority or a more targeted keyword.

If you want a safer path, build momentum with long tail topics first. This helps you grow traffic and trust, then you can try harder branded keywords later.

How can RightBlogger help me find better keyword targets than tough branded terms?

RightBlogger can help you discover keyword ideas that are easier to rank for and still match what readers want. This is useful when a branded keyword is dominated by big sites.

Start with the RightBlogger Keyword Tool for keyword research to find related terms and more specific variations. Then use the People Also Ask tool to find real questions to answer so your post matches what searchers are looking for.

This workflow helps you create content that fits your current site strength. Over time, those wins can build authority so you can compete for bigger branded keywords later.