Keyword grouping (also called keyword clustering) is the process of organizing keywords into logical groups based on search intent and topical relevance. It's essential for building content that ranks.

Why Keyword Grouping Matters

Without proper keyword grouping, you risk:

Keyword Cannibalization

Multiple pages competing for the same keywords, splitting your ranking potential.

Thin Content

Creating separate pages for keywords that should be covered together.

Missed Opportunities

Failing to see the full picture of what content you should create.

Methods for Keyword Grouping

1. SERP-Based Clustering

Group keywords that show similar search results. If two keywords show the same pages ranking, they belong in the same cluster and should be targeted by one page.

2. Semantic Clustering

Group keywords by meaning and intent. "Best running shoes" and "top rated running sneakers" are semantically similar and should be grouped together.

3. Intent-Based Clustering

Group by search intent: informational, navigational, commercial, or transactional. "What is SEO" (informational) and "buy SEO tools" (transactional) should be in different clusters.

Best Practice: Combine All Three

The most effective keyword grouping uses all three methods. Start with semantic similarity, verify with SERP analysis, then separate by intent.

Step-by-Step Keyword Grouping Process

Step 1: Collect Your Keywords

Gather all keywords from research tools, competitor analysis, and brainstorming. Aim for 500-2,000 keywords to start.

Step 2: Remove Duplicates and Irrelevant Terms

Clean your list by removing exact duplicates and keywords that don't fit your topic or business.

Step 3: Identify Primary Themes

Look for the main topics that emerge from your keyword list. These will become your pillar content.

Step 4: Group by Subtopic

Under each theme, group keywords into subtopics. Each subtopic becomes a cluster content piece.

Step 5: Assign Primary Keywords

For each group, identify the primary keyword (highest volume + best fit) to target as the main focus.

Keyword Grouping Example

Here's how keywords for "coffee brewing" might be grouped:

Cluster: Pour Over Coffee

• pour over coffee guide
• how to make pour over
• best pour over technique
• pour over vs drip

Cluster: French Press

• french press brewing
• french press ratio
• best french press coffee
• french press grind size

Cluster: Coffee Grind

• coffee grind sizes
• best coffee grinder
• how to grind coffee
• grind size chart

Cluster: Cold Brew

• cold brew recipe
• how long to cold brew
• cold brew ratio
• cold brew vs iced coffee

Automate Keyword Grouping

Manual keyword grouping works but takes hours. AI-powered tools can cluster keywords automatically based on semantic analysis and SERP data.

Topical Map AI generates 800-1,200 keywords already clustered into logical groups. Enter your topic, and get your complete keyword grouping in 60 seconds.

Group Your Keywords Automatically →