How to Perform Keyword Research for Affiliate Content (And Make Money Doing It)

keyword research is the backbone of successful affiliate marketing. If you want to drive traffic, rank on Google, and earn commissions, you need to target the right keywords.
But here’s the problem: Most beginners either guess their keywords or pick ones that are too competitive. The result? Their content gets buried, and they make little to no money.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step process for finding profitable affiliate keywords—the kind that bring in consistent traffic and sales. Plus, I’ll show you how to turn this skill into a side hustle by offering keyword research services.
Let’s dive in.

Why Keyword Research Matters for Affiliate Marketing

Before we get into the how, let’s talk about the why.
affiliate marketing relies on targeted traffic. You can write the best review or comparison post, but if no one is searching for it, you won’t make sales.
keyword research helps you:
✅ Find what people are actually searching for (not just what you think they’re searching for).
✅ Avoid overly competitive keywords that are impossible to rank for.
✅ Discover long-tail opportunities—lower competition, higher buyer intent.
✅ Optimize content for SEO so Google sends you free traffic.
If you skip this step, you’re essentially throwing darts blindfolded.

Step 1: Brainstorm Seed Keywords

Start with broad topics related to your niche. These are called seed keywords—general terms that describe your affiliate products.
Example: If you promote fitness gear, your seed keywords might be:
– “best running shoes”
– “home gym equipment”
– “protein powder for weight loss”
Pro Tip: Use Google Autocomplete and People Also Ask to expand your list. Just type a keyword into Google and see what pops up.

Step 2: Use Keyword Research Tools

Now, it’s time to dig deeper. Free and paid tools can help you analyze search volume, competition, and monetization potential.

Free Tools:

• Google Keyword Planner (Requires Google Ads account)
• Ubersuggest (Limited free searches)
• AnswerThePublic (Great for question-based keywords)

Paid Tools (Worth the Investment):

• Ahrefs (Best for competition analysis)
• SEMrush (Great for affiliate keyword suggestions)
• Keysearch (Affordable alternative)
  What to Look For:
  ✔ Search Volume (SV): Aim for at least 100-1,000 monthly searches.
  ✔ Keyword Difficulty (KD): Look for KD under 30 if you’re new.
  ✔ Commercial Intent: Keywords with “best,” “review,” “buy,” or “vs.” often convert better.

Step 3: Target Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords (3-5 words) are gold for affiliate marketers. They have:
🔹 Lower competition
🔹 Higher conversion rates (people searching these are closer to buying)
Examples:
❌ “Protein powder” (Too broad, high competition)
✅ “Best vegan protein powder for weight loss” (Specific, buyer intent)
How to Find Long-Tail Keywords:
– Use Ahrefs’ “Phrase Match” report
– Check Google’s “People Also Ask” section
– Look at forums like Reddit or Quora for real questions

Step 4: Analyze Competitor Keywords

Your competitors are already ranking—why not learn from them?
1. Find top-ranking affiliate sites in your niche (search “[product] + review/best”).
2. Plug their URLs into Ahrefs or SEMrush.
3. Look at their top-ranking keywords and see if you can create better content.
Pro Tip: If a competitor ranks for a keyword but their content is outdated or thin, you can outrank them with a more detailed guide.

Step 5: Prioritize High-Intent Keywords

Not all keywords lead to sales. Focus on high-intent keywords—those where people are ready to buy.
High-Intent Keywords:
– “Best [product] for [need]”
– “[Product A] vs [Product B]”
– “[Product] discount code”
Low-Intent Keywords (Avoid for Affiliate Content):
– “What is [product]?”
– “How to use [product]?” (Unless you’re selling a course)

Step 6: Track & Optimize Over Time

SEO isn’t a one-time thing. Monitor your rankings and adjust:
– Use Google Search Console to see which keywords bring traffic.
– Update old posts with new data or affiliate links.
– Expand on low-ranking posts with more depth or better formatting.

How to Monetize This Skill (Side Hustle Opportunity!)

If you get good at keyword research, you can sell it as a service. Here’s how:

1. Offer Keyword Research Reports

• Freelance platforms (Upwork, Fiverr)
• SEO agencies (Many outsource this work)

2. Create a Keyword Research Course

• Teach beginners via Udemy or YouTube.
• Sell an eBook or PDF guide.

3. Flip Websites

• Find low-competition keywords, build a site, rank it, and sell for profit.
  Pricing:
• Basic keyword research: $50-$100 per project
• Full SEO audits: $200-$500+

Final Thoughts

Keyword research is the difference between a failing affiliate site and a profitable one. By targeting the right terms, you’ll get free traffic from Google and higher conversions.
Action Steps:
1️⃣ Start with seed keywords.
2️⃣ Use free/paid tools to refine your list.
3️⃣ Focus on long-tail, buyer-intent keywords.
4️⃣ Spy on competitors and find gaps.
5️⃣ Track performance and optimize.
And if you want to turn this into income, offer keyword research services—there’s huge demand in the SEO space.
Now, go find those golden keywords and start ranking! 🚀

What’s your biggest struggle with keyword research? Drop a comment below! (Engagement boosts SEO too 😉)
P.S. Need a done-for-you keyword list? Check out my [Keyword Research Toolkit] (affiliate link). 👀

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