SEO Deep Dive: How “Boring” Keywords Quietly Print Cash
You spend hours optimizing for “how to lose weight fast.”
10,000 words. 3 backlinks. 87 monthly visitors.
Meanwhile, a blogger you’ve never heard of ranks for “best lightweight camera for hiking” and cashes $412/month from Amazon affiliates.
Here’s the truth SEO “gurus” won’t tell you:
High search volume ≠ high profit.
The real money hides in keywords that sound boring but scream buyer intent. I call them “money keywords”—low-competition phrases that attract readers ready to spend.
After testing 1,284 keywords over 18 months, I found 10 golden terms that collectively earn $3k/month. No viral trends. No sleepless nights. Just strategic SEO.
If you’ve ever wondered:
- How to find keywords with high profit and low competition…
- Why long-form content outranks “quick tips” every time…
- What exact template Google rewards with top rankings…
…this deep dive is your shortcut.
The Problem with “Popular” Keywords (And Why You’re Wasting Time)
SEO isn’t a popularity contest.
Chasing high-search-volume keywords is like sprinting into a stadium packed with 10,000 runners—only to trip over the first hurdle. Sure, “best protein powder” sounds like a goldmine with 50,000 monthly searches, but here’s why it’s a trap:
The “Best Protein Powder” Disaster
- 4,000+ Competing Articles: The top 10 results are dominated by household names like Healthline and Men’s Journal, each with 200+ backlinks and domain authority (DA) scores over 80.
- 1.2% Conversion Rate: Even if you magically hit #1, most searchers are browsers, not buyers. They’re comparing options, not credit cards.
- Ad Apocalypse: Google crams the page with paid ads, affiliate roundups, and “Our Top Picks” widgets. Organic traffic? Buried.
But here’s the kicker:
A keyword with 800 monthly searches—“Does collagen protein cause bloating”—is quietly printing $300/month for the #1 result. Here’s why:
- Only 12 Competing Articles: Most are thin, outdated posts (like a 500-word Reddit thread from 2020).
- Buyer Intent on Steroids: The user isn’t just curious—they’re suffering. They want a solution now and will pay for it.
- Monetization Heaven: The top-ranking blog uses:
- 5 affiliate links to bloating-friendly supplements.
- A $47 eBook: “30-Day Bloat-Free Meal Plan.”
- Google AdSense (targeting “gut health” products).
What Makes a “Money Keyword”? (3 Non-Negotiables)
1. Buyer Intent: The User’s Wallet is Already Open
Money keywords attract readers in the “ready to buy” phase. Spot them by:
- Commercial Terms:
- “Best [product] for [niche]” (e.g., “Best noise-canceling headphones for ADHD focus”).
- “[Product] without [flaw]” (e.g., “protein powder without heavy metals”).
- “Buy [product] near me” (local intent).
- Problem-Solving Queries:
- “How to fix [specific issue] with [product]” (e.g., “How to unclog Dyson vacuum hair wrap”).
- “Why does [product] cause [problem]” (pain-driven research).
- Comparison Phrases:
- “[Product A] vs [Product B] reddit” (users trust grassroots reviews).
- “[Brand] alternatives” (dissatisfied shoppers = easy conversions).
Case Study:
A dog trainer ranked for “best shock collar for stubborn dogs” (1,500 searches/month). Result:
- $2.3K/month from Amazon affiliates + a $297 training course.
- Why? Searchers were desperate owners Googling days before purchasing.
2. Low Competition: Your “Backdoor” to Page 1
Forget DA and domain age. Use these filters to find “weak” competitors:
- Ahrefs Keyword Difficulty (KD) <25: This means even a 6-month-old blog can outrank giants with better content.
- Top 10 Results Have:
- <15 Backlinks: Check Ahrefs’ “Backlinks” tab. If top posts have sparse links, you’ve struck gold.
- Thin Content (<1,500 Words): Skimmable listicles with no data, screenshots, or original research.
- No Schema Markup: Missing FAQ or How-To schemas = easier to outrank.
Example:
“Best lightweight camera for hiking”:
- KD 18: Ahrefs’ green “easy” flag.
- Top 3 posts:
- A 700-word listicle from 2019 (“10 Cameras!”).
- A forum thread with broken affiliate links.
- A YouTube video (no transcript = no SEO power).
3. Monetization Potential: Turn Traffic into Cash
A keyword isn’t a “money” keyword unless you can monetize it 3+ ways:
- Affiliate Programs:
- Amazon Associates (physical products).
- ShareASale (digital tools, courses).
- Niche networks (e.g., Thrive Market for keto).
- Digital Products:
- eBooks (“The Ultimate Guide to [Keyword]”).
- Templates/checklists (e.g., “Bloat-Free Grocery List”).
- Local Services:
- “Best divorce lawyer NYC” → Legal consultations.
- “Emergency HVAC repair near me” → Service calls.
Pro Tip: Use AnswerThePublic to find long-tail variations:
- “Does collagen cause bloating” → Also target “collagen bloating remedies” and “best non-bloating collagen”.
Why This Works
High-volume keywords are ego boosts. Money keywords are profit engines.
- Less traffic, but higher conversions.
- Less work, but longer shelf life (no trend-chasing).
- Less stress, but scalable (clone the formula across niches).
Your Next Move: Audit your content for “hidden” money keywords. Swap one generic post for a buyer-focused guide, and watch revenue creep up while competitors fight over scraps.
Case Study Snapshot: The $412/Month DSLR Guide
In 2023, I published “Best Lightweight DSLR Cameras for Hiking (2023 Guide)”:
- Keyword: “lightweight DSLR for hiking” → 1,200 searches/month, KD 18.
- Content: 2,500 words, 7 product comparisons, 23 affiliate links.
- Backlinks: 3 niche guest posts (outdoor blogs).
Result:
- Month 1: 92 visitors → $27.
- Month 4: 1.2k visitors → $412/month (Amazon + affiliate partnerships).
Your Burning Questions—Answered
Q: “Why aren’t my high-traffic keywords converting?”
A: You’re targeting information seekers, not buyers. Swap “how to” for “best” or “review.”
Q: “Do I need expensive tools like Ahrefs?”
A: Start free. Use Ubersuggest + Google Autocomplete to find low-hanging keywords.
Q: “How fast can I rank?”
A: 30-90 days with long-form content + 3-5 backlinks (Day 28’s repurposing guide speeds this up).
Tomorrow’s Teaser: Wake Up Your Sleeping Blog Posts
“Day 28: How to Make $1k from a Blog Post You Wrote 2 Years Ago”
- Sneak Peek: Turn dusty posts into YouTube scripts, Pinterest infographics, and LinkedIn carousels.
- Freebie Alert: 👉 “Content Repurposing Matrix” (Match old posts to 7 formats).
CTA: “Your old content is a goldmine. Tomorrow’s guide shows you how to mine it—save this post! If you are new here then must read this blog.”