Question keywords are search queries phrased as a question, usually starting with a word such as who, what, when, where, why or how. In SEO the term describes a type of keyword for research and content planning. It says nothing about the topic of the query.
Where do question keywords come from?
Three sources are common.
- Google autocomplete. Google says its predictions are based on real searches. Typing a topic followed by a question word shows how people complete the question.
- “People also ask”. Google’s documentation describes this element as a group of questions related to what the user searched for. Expanding a question shows an answer with a link to its source.
- Keyword tools. Tools such as AnswerThePublic or the question filters in Ahrefs and Semrush combine a seed term with question words and pull from autocomplete and their own databases.
What are they good for?
Questions tend to be longer and more specific than short head terms, which makes them long-tail keywords. Their search intent is often informational (assessment). A question works well as a subheading followed by a direct answer of a few sentences. That structure fits featured snippets and “People also ask” boxes, and it gives AI systems a clear passage to quote.
Whether a question deserves its own page depends on search volume and on what the SERP shows. Several questions with the same intent usually belong on one page.
Example
For the topic “XML sitemap”, a research pass could produce “How do I submit an XML sitemap?”, “What belongs in an XML sitemap?” and “Why does Search Console show a sitemap error?”. Each becomes a section with a short answer, and the three share one page because they come from the same task.
Common mistakes
- Creating one thin page per question when a single guide could answer all of them.
- Answering in the first sentence only, with no detail for readers who want more.
FAQ
Are question keywords the same as long-tail keywords? Many are long-tail, but a long-tail keyword does not have to be a question.
Do question keywords always have low volume? Individual questions often do. Volume has to be checked per query in a keyword tool.
Sources
- How Google autocomplete predictions work – Google Search Helpsupport.google.com
- Search results visual elements gallery (related questions) – Google Search Centraldevelopers.google.com
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