Keyword Metrics to Track and Measure in 2025

When it comes to improving your website’s online visibility, understanding and tracking keyword metrics is essential. We know this, you know this.

What we also know is that in SEO, things are always changing. 2025 is already bringing its fair share of trends. But the basics? They’re still simple once you get the hang of them.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the most important keyword metrics, why they matter, and how to use them to your advantage. And don’t worry. No overwhelming SEO technical language will be used here. Just clear, actionable advice you can actually use.

Why Keyword Metrics Are Still (And Will Always Be) Important

Keywords connect your content to the people searching for it online. So, when someone types something into Google, all Google is doing is looking for the most relevant results to show you. So, by tracking keyword metrics, you can:

• Understand how people are finding your site.
• If your content isn’t doing so well, you’ll know this because you’re tracking it. Then, you can optimise your content to rank higher in search results.
• You’ll be able to drive more relevant traffic to your website.

Right, in no particular order, let’s break down the key metrics you should focus on in 2025.

Search Volume

• What is it? Search volume refers to the number of times a keyword is searched in a specific time frame. Typically MoM ( every month). For example, if “senior dog soup” (I have an old dog, so this gets searched almost every week for me) has a search volume of 10,000, it means people search for it 10,000 times per month.
• Why does it matter? High search volume means a lot of people are looking for that keyword. But remember, high volume also naturally means more competition. Look for keyword variations with a balance of decent volume and lower competition to get better results.
• How do I use it? Tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush can help you find the search volume for keywords in your niche. Focus on terms that align with your content and audience.

Below, we can see I’m looking into what kind of volume “Vegetarian Recipes” gets. We can see that it has a very healthy search volume of over 45,000 searches a month in the UK alone.

If I had a strong, established website, I’d be going for this. But if my website is on the newer side and I’m yet to establish myself as a player in the vegetarian cuisine industry, I’d be looking for keyword variations that would be easier for me to rank for. As well as this one. Because dream big!

Keyword Difficulty (KD)

• What is it? Keyword difficulty measures how hard it is to rank for a specific keyword. It’s usually shown as a percentage or score out of 100. A high KD means a lot of websites are competing for that keyword.
• Why does it matter? If a keyword is too difficult, it’ll take more time and resources to rank. Starting with low-to-medium difficulty keywords can help you gain traction faster.
• How do I use it? Look for keywords with low difficulty and high relevance to your audience. These are often referred to as “low-hanging fruit” – easy wins to grow your traffic.

Right, let’s do an example. I’ll use the same keyword as above. Vegetarian recipes. We know it has a search volume of 45k+, so 9 times out of 10, the difficulty will be on the higher side because of this. All this means is that it’s hard to rank for but not impossible. Nothings impossible!

Click-Through Rate (CTR)

• What is it? CTR is the percentage of people who see your website in search results and end up clicking on it and visiting your website (woo!). For example, if 100 people visit your site and 10 click on it, your CTR is 10%.
• Why Does it matter? A high CTR means your page is catching attention. Low CTR could mean your title or meta description isn’t enticing enough and needs a bit of improvement.
• How do I use it? Work on creating engaging titles and meta descriptions that include your target keywords. These are often the first things searchers see, so make them compelling and accurate to the page being displayed.

Let’s take a look at click-through-rate data so you can visualise it. This is a screenshot from Google Search Console. The blue line shows the total clicks this website has received, and the purple one shows the total impressions (how many times someone has seen you in the search results).

Could it be better? Yes. With SEO, everything can always be better. The sky’s the limit. But what this shows is healthy, steady growth. So, they’re doing really good! And, if anything, it shows that SEO takes time. But it’s always worth it in the long run.

Keyword Intent

• What is it? Keyword intent is the purpose behind a search. People typically search with one of these intentions:

1. Informational: Looking to learn.
2. Navigational: Trying to find a specific website.
3. Transactional: Ready to make a purchase or take action.

• Commercial: Ready to buy (ish), but at the stage where they’re showing active interest in a product or service.

• Why does it matter? Understanding intent ensures your content matches what the searcher is looking for. For example, a product page won’t rank well for an informational keyword.
• How do I use it? Identify the intent behind your target keywords and create content that aligns with it. Use tools like AnswerThePublic to explore common questions related to your niche.

It’s time for an example. Let’s take a look at the search intent of “Vegetarian recipes”. The intent of this keyword is shown in the top right-hand corner of the image.

This is an informational keyword term. This means that when people search for this keyword, they want to see resources they can learn from. So, say you were trying to rank for this keyword – the best course of action would be to start creating resources where your target audience could learn a thing or two.

In this case, maybe start with a step-by-step guide on how to make a no-meat favourite (e.g. spaghetti bolognese).

Long-Tail Keywords

What is it? Long-tail keywords are phrases that are longer and more specific, like “best vegan protein powder for beginners.” They usually have a lower search volume but higher intent.

Why does it matter? These keywords often convert better because they match what the user is specifically looking for.

How do I use it? Incorporate long-tail keywords into your content to attract niche audiences. These can help you rank quicker and drive more focused traffic.

Let’s take a look at some long-tail keywords. Instead of a broad term like “recipes,” you’ll know now that long-tail keywords are more specific, such as:

• “Easy vegetarian spaghetti bolognese recipe”
• “10-minute vegetarian dinner ideas”
• “Gluten-free vegetarian lasagna for beginners”

These phrases are longer, more detailed, and often have lower search volumes – but they’re incredibly precise. By targeting these types of keywords, you can create content that aligns closely with niche interests and needs.

New to Keyword Metrics? Try It Out Yourself

If you don’t have SEO tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs, luckily, we’ve made a tool for you so you can try it out.

Type in something you’d want to rank for below, and you’ll be able to see how much it gets searched in the UK and globally, as well as how difficult it is to rank for that specific term.

Just don’t try “senior dog soup”. I am quite literally the only person who searches for this – so nothing will show up. It’s an untapped market, I’m calling it!

Need Help With Organic Search? Get In Touch!

In 2025, tracking and measuring keyword metrics will remain to be one of the most important aspects of digital marketing. So, by focusing on the metrics that matter, you can create smarter strategies that attract the right audience.

If you need help with your digital marketing strategy, get in touch with us and see what we can do for your business.

Posted on Friday, January 17th, 2025 in Digital Marketing.