# Seed keyword

Category: [Basics & Search Engines](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/category/basics-search-engines/) › [Strategy & planning](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/category/basics-search-engines/strategy-planning/) · Also known as: seed term, head term

A **seed keyword** is a short, broad term that a keyword research process starts from. Tools, search suggestions and competitor data expand it into more specific search terms, including long-tail keywords.

## How are seed keywords used?

According to reports from SEO practitioners, seed keywords are usually one or two words and describe a topic, product or category. As a rule of thumb, they have high search volume and strong competition. They are rarely the best ranking target, but they work well as a base for finding better-fitting variants.

Keyword tools work this way. Google's Keyword Planner offers "Discover new keywords", where you enter words or phrases related to your offer, or a website, and get related keyword ideas back. Separate multiple terms with a comma.

Common sources of seeds are your own products and services, customer questions, queries in Google Search Console, Google's autocomplete and People Also Ask, and competitor keywords. The choice of seeds determines which topics the research can show at all.

## Example

A software vendor starts with the seed keyword "ERP". Research returns variants such as "ERP for small business" or "cloud ERP comparison". These longer terms are more specific and usually easier to rank for.

## Related terms

- [Keyword research](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/keyword-research/index.md)
- [Niche keyword](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/niche-keyword/index.md)
- [Short-tail keyword](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/short-tail-keyword/index.md)
- [Long-tail keyword](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/long-tail-keyword/index.md)
- [Keyword](https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/keyword/index.md)

## Sources

- [Discover new keywords – Google Ads Help](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/7337243)
- [Seed Keywords – Semrush Blog (secondary)](https://www.semrush.com/blog/seed-keywords/)
- [Seed Keywords – Surfer (secondary)](https://surferseo.com/blog/seed-keywords/)

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Last updated: October 7, 2026
URL: https://seo-geo-glossary.com/en/glossary/seed-keyword/