How To Do Keyword Research In 2026?
Hector Law
Hector is the Co-Founder of Clickspo, and has over 7+ years of SEO and website marketing experience.
He was the SEO Lead of a MNC SEO agency, leading a team of over 14 professionals.
Keyword research isn’t what it used to be. With AI search, zero-click results, and voice search shaping how users find information, traditional keyword tools no longer tell the full story. In 2026, mastering keyword research means understanding search intent, AI-assisted discovery, and human-centered content strategy.
At Clickspo, we’ve helped businesses shift from old keyword lists to intent-driven strategies that bring qualified traffic and conversions – not vanity clicks.
Why Keyword Research Still Matters
Even with AI-powered search (like Google’s Search Generative Experience), keyword research remains the backbone of SEO. It helps you:
- Identify what your target audience truly searches for
- Understand user intent (informational, commercial, navigational, transactional)
- Create content that aligns with your brand goals
- Optimize for both organic and AI-generated visibility
For example, a B2B SaaS company shouldn’t just rank for “CRM software,” but also for long-tail queries like “best CRM tools for remote teams” – because these indicate purchase intent.
The 2026 Keyword Research Framework
1. Start With Intent, Not Volume
Forget chasing keywords with 100K searches. Focus on intent-based clusters:
- Informational: “What is [topic]?”
- Navigational: “Best tools for [use case]”
- Transactional: “Buy [product/service] online”
- Comparative: “[Tool A] vs [Tool B]”
Use AI tools to extract semantic relationships instead of relying solely on search volume.
2. Combine Human Insight With AI
In 2026, the best SEOs don’t replace their intuition – they amplify it with AI.
Tools like Google Gemini, Ahrefs AI Assistant, and SurferSEO 3.0 help analyze intent patterns and topic clusters faster. However, your human expertise determines what matters to your brand.
3. Use Multi-Layer Data Sources
4. Build Topical Authority Clusters
Search engines now prioritize topic depth over keyword density.
Map your content like this:
Example Cluster: “Local SEO in 2026”
- Parent: Local SEO Strategies for 2026
- Child 1: Voice Search Optimization for Local Businesses
- Child 2: AI Geo Targeting for Multi-Location Brands
- Child 3: Local Landing Page Optimization
Each supporting article links back to your pillar page to build authority and improve ranking.
5. Optimize for AI and Zero-Click Searches
AI-generated results pull snippets from trusted domains. To appear here:
- Structure your answers with clear subheadings and concise paragraphs
- Include FAQ sections
- Use schema markup and structured data
- Make your pages load fast and mobile-friendly
At Clickspo, we optimize websites to appear in both organic and AI-enhanced snippets, ensuring you’re visible no matter how search evolves.
6. Continually Refresh and Re-Evaluate
SEO is dynamic. In 2026, keyword trends can shift monthly due to AI model updates.
Schedule regular audits:
- Review underperforming pages in Search Console
- Update content with new search trends
- Monitor “People Also Ask” and AI overview insights
Internal linking updates are equally important. Keep connecting new posts to core pages to strengthen site structure and crawl efficiency.
Final Thoughts: Keyword Research in 2026 = Strategy + AI + Intent
The secret to successful keyword research in 2026 is not about finding words – it’s about understanding people.
Combine your business goals with data-backed, AI-informed insights, and you’ll dominate search results across all formats – organic, AI, and voice.
If you’re ready to turn keyword research into real leads and sales, connect with the experts at Clickspo.