What is LSI keywords?
SEO Definition and Examples
LSI keywords are synonyms and related words to the target keyword. Google uses them to understand context and determine whether a page is truly about the topic.
Full Definition: What is LSI keywords
LSI keywords (Latent Semantic Indexing) are words and phrases semantically related to the main keyword. For example, for "SEO": LSI keywords are "search engine optimization", "rank on Google", "organic traffic", "backlinks", "keywords". Google does not look at keywords in isolation — it looks at context. A page with "SEO" but no LSI keywords (backlinks, keywords, ranking) is suspicious. Google concludes: "hmm, this is not really about SEO". Conversely, pages rich in LSI keywords rank better even if the main keyword's density is lower.
Why Does LSI Keywords (Latent Semantic Indexing) Matter for SEO?
LSI keywords = natural context. Content rich in LSI = Google more confident about the topic. It ranks better and attracts traffic from keyword variations.
Source: Ahrefs — LSI KeywordsFrequently Asked Questions about LSI Keywords (Latent Semantic Indexing)
Related Terms
Keyword Research
BeginnerKeyword research is identifying the words and phrases your target audience searches for on Google, so you can create content that answers those searches.
Keyword Density
IntermediateKeyword density is the percentage of target keywords out of a page's total words. Too low = weak optimization; too high = penalized keyword stuffing.
On-Page SEO
BeginnerOn-page SEO covers all the optimizations made directly on your site's pages — titles, headings, content, meta descriptions and URL structure.
Word Stem
IntermediateA word stem is the root of a word from which other forms derive. Google treats same-stem variations (article, articles) as synonyms for ranking.
Put LSI Keywords (Latent Semantic Indexing) into practice
Explore how to apply this concept to your industry and city.
