How to Use Keyword Research to Supercharge Your Social Media Strategy
How to Use Keyword Research to Supercharge Your Social Media Strategy
Why YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn Need SEO Just as Much as Google
When we hear the term keyword research, we often think of search engines like Google. But here’s the truth: keyword research is just as powerful—and necessary—when posting on social platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
These platforms have evolved into their own search engines. Users are typing in keywords to discover content, solutions, experts, and businesses. So if you’re not using keyword research in your social media strategy, you’re leaving visibility, reach, and potential leads on the table.
In this article, we’ll break down how to effectively use keyword research for each major social platform and why it’s worth the effort.
Why Keyword Research Matters on Social Media
Before we dive into the platforms, let’s clarify what keyword research does for social media:
Improves visibility in native search bars (especially YouTube and LinkedIn)
Aligns content with what your audience is actually searching for
Boosts organic reach by helping algorithms understand your content
Informs content strategy so you’re not guessing what to post
Supports SEO across channels, helping with multi-platform consistency
YouTube: The Second Largest Search Engine in the World
YouTube isn’t just a video platform—it’s a massive search engine. People go to YouTube to get answers, learn new things, or solve problems. And they do it by typing in specific keywords.
How to Use Keyword Research for YouTube:
Identify search intent: Use tools like TubeBuddy, VidIQ, or Ahrefs to find what people are searching related to your niche.
Optimize titles & thumbnails: Include your target keyword in the title and design thumbnails that visually represent the topic.
Use keywords in descriptions and tags: Don’t stuff them, but naturally weave in keywords within your video description to boost SEO.
Mention the keyword in the video: YouTube’s algorithm can “listen” and transcribe what’s being said.
Example:
A luxury optometry clinic might create a video titled:
“Best Anti-Fatigue Lenses for Screen Time | 2025 Buyer’s Guide”
This matches exactly what people may be typing in.
Benefits:
Long-term discoverability
Increased watch time and click-through rate
Better ranking in both YouTube and Google search
Facebook: Reach, Relevance, and Micro-Search Behavior
While Facebook isn’t a traditional search engine, it still has a robust internal search feature. Users type in keywords to find posts, videos, pages, and groups.
How to Use Keyword Research for Facebook:
Write copy that mirrors search terms: Use simple, relevant phrases people might search for like “treatments for dry eyes” or “best local optometrist.”
Use relevant hashtags: Facebook hashtags are searchable. Use 3–5 keywords-based hashtags per post.
SEO-optimized video titles: If posting a Reel or live video, include the keyword in the title.
Alt-text for images: Use alt-text fields (when available) to add keyword-rich descriptions for better accessibility and indexing.
Example:
Instead of posting “Check out our new lenses,” try:
“These Blue Light Blocking Lenses Are Ideal for Night Screen Use”
Benefits:
Improved relevance in Facebook’s feed algorithm
Better targeting for Facebook Ads (when aligned with search behavior)
Enhanced discoverability through group and page searches
LinkedIn: Authority and B2B Discovery
LinkedIn is often overlooked when it comes to SEO, but it’s a high-intent platform. People are searching for industry trends, service providers, and thought leadership content every day.
How to Use Keyword Research for LinkedIn:
Include keywords in your headline and about section: These areas are searchable and heavily weighted in LinkedIn’s algorithm.
Use keywords in your post captions: Especially on long-form content or newsletters.
Use hashtags wisely: Research relevant hashtags that get engagement but aren’t too competitive.
Publish keyword-optimized articles: Long-form content lives forever in search, especially if optimized well.
Example:
A B2B marketer offering AI automation services might post:
“How AI-Powered Lead Nurturing Can Cut Your Sales Cycle in Half”
Benefits:
Shows up in LinkedIn search and Google results
Establishes authority and thought leadership
Attracts leads organically without paid ads
Keyword Tools to Get You Started
Here are some top platforms you can use to do social-optimized keyword research:
Final Thoughts
Keyword research isn’t just for blogs and websites. It’s a vital part of a smart social media strategy—especially if you’re aiming for real visibility, audience alignment, and long-term engagement.
By tailoring your content around what people are actually looking for, you stop shouting into the void and start showing up where it counts.
