Keywords
Definition
Specific words or phrases you type into search engines to find information. Like asking for directions by naming the specific place you want to go.
Use Cases
- Google: Helping users find relevant web pages using search queries (keywords). — Google Search processes user-entered keywords, applies ranking algorithms, and returns results based on relevance signals (e.g., content matching, links, freshness, location). (Users can quickly discover information, products, and local services; businesses can reach customers by targeting relevant search keywords through SEO and advertising.)
- Amazon: Improving product discovery on an e-commerce marketplace using customer search keywords. — Amazon’s site search matches customer keywords to product titles, descriptions, categories, and attributes, then ranks results using relevance and behavioral signals (e.g., clicks, purchases). (Faster product discovery and improved conversion by connecting shoppers to items that match their intent.)
- Netflix: Helping users find movies and shows using keyword-based search. — Netflix search maps user keywords to titles, genres, cast, and related metadata, returning suggestions and results even when users type partial names. (Reduced time to find content and improved user engagement by making the catalog easier to navigate.)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between keywords and search terms?
- A search term is the exact word or phrase a person types into a search box. A keyword is the word or phrase you choose to target or focus on (for example, in SEO, ads, documentation, or tagging). Often they overlap, but “keyword” usually implies intentional selection for matching and discovery.
- When should I use keywords?
- Use keywords whenever you need people (or systems) to find something quickly: searching the web, filtering cloud documentation, finding resources in a console, querying logs, naming and tagging resources, writing help articles, or setting up SEO/ads for a product. Start with a few specific phrases that match what users actually type, then refine based on results.
- How much do keywords cost?
- Keywords themselves are free to use in searches. Costs come from services that use keywords: for example, paid search advertising charges per click or per impression based on competition, and log/search tools may charge for data ingestion, indexing, storage, and queries. Pricing depends on volume (data or traffic), retention, and query frequency.
Category: software
Difficulty: basic
Related Terms
See Also