If you’ve spent any time trying to understand how search engines decide which pages to show on page one, you’ve probably come across the term “LSI keywords.”
You may have seen arguments about whether they’re real or just marketing fluff.
Strictly speaking, Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) isn’t used by Google and is an outdated concept.
But these semantically related or contextually relevant terms are crucial—helping search engines interpret meaning, improve readability, and capture user intent.
In this blog, we’ll explore LSI keywords, why they’re still part of many SEO conversations, and how their smart usage can improve your content.
First, Let’s Define LSI Keywords
LSI stands for Latent Semantic Indexing. It’s a term that comes from information retrieval systems—not SEO originally.
But when SEOs talk about it today, they usually mean this: Words and phrases that are contextually related to your main keyword.
For example, if your page is about “digital cameras,” LSI keywords might include “lens,” “megapixels,” “DSLR,” “image quality,” or “memory card.”
You’re not repeating “digital camera” fifty times. You’re adding language that signals relevance—and helps search engines better understand what your content is really about.
That’s the spirit behind it. Even if the label is outdated.
Are LSI Keywords Actually a Thing Google Uses?
Short answer? No—Google doesn’t use Latent Semantic Indexing in its ranking algorithm. They’ve said that directly.
But here’s where it gets misunderstood: just because they don’t use that specific method doesn’t mean context-based keywords don’t matter.
Google is very good at understanding topic relationships. It uses machine learning and natural language processing to analyze content. It can tell if a page is shallow or comprehensive, stuffed or well-rounded.
So, when people ask you to define LSI keywords, what they’re really getting at is:
“How do I use related keywords that make my content more complete—and rank better?”
And that’s a valid question. Regardless of what term you use.
Why Contextual Keywords Still Matter in SEO
Let’s say you’re writing an article about “home espresso machines.” If you only use that exact phrase repeatedly, your content can feel thin and robotic. Now let’s say you naturally work in words like:
- Pressure bars
- Portafilter
- Coffee grind
- Frothing wand
- Brewing temperature
By doing so, you’re crafting a fuller, richer context—one that signals to Google this isn’t just keyword repetition, it’s topical depth.
That increases your chances of showing up for a wider range of search queries, especially the longer, more specific ones.
And if you’re working with experienced search optimization companies in USA, they’ll often guide your content planning with these contextual signals.
How to Find These Related Terms
You don’t need special tools. (Though they can help.)
Here are three very human ways to find context keywords that work:
1. Search Like a User
Type your main keyword into Google. Scroll to the bottom. Look at the “related searches.” Google’s already doing the work for you.
Also pay attention to the autocomplete suggestions when you start typing—those are based on real user behavior and reveal high-value long‑tail variations.
2. Scan Competitor Pages
What are top-ranking sites mentioning? Are there terms, headers and phrases they use that you’re missing? Tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs can help uncover “keywords they rank for but you don’t”.
You’re not copying their structure—but you’re learning what angles they’ve covered. It helps spot gaps in your own content.
3. Think Like Your Audience
What would someone want to know about this topic? What terms would naturally come up in conversation?
If you’re writing about “vegan protein,” you’d probably talk about things like “plant-based,” “amino acids,” “pea protein,” or “muscle recovery.” This mindset enables you to incorporate relevant LSI keywords to reinforce the topic’s relevance.
How Pros Handle Contextual Keywords (Without Overdoing It)
The best search optimization companies in USA don’t just dump a list of keywords into your blog and hope for the best.
They build topic clusters, structure internal links and guide your content team on how to naturally integrate related terms without making it sound robotic or overstuffed.
They understand that keyword variation is not just about visibility—it’s about depth. The kind of depth that makes a user stay longer, engage more, and maybe even convert.
And they’ll use tools like:
- Google NLP API
- Content scoring platforms
- Semantic analysis
But all of that still starts with understanding what real people are searching for—and writing in a way that reflects those needs.
What to Avoid
Just because you’ve got a list of “related” keywords doesn’t mean you should shove them into every paragraph.
Avoid:
- Overstuffing the same words over and over
- Using terms that sound unnatural or forced
- Losing sight of the main point of your content
If it doesn’t add value, skip it. Your readers—and search engines—will thank you.
Over to You
You don’t have to get caught up in whether “LSI keywords” is the correct technical term. What matters is writing content that feels relevant, complete, and easy to understand—both for readers and algorithms.
Because in modern SEO, clarity wins. Not clever hacks.
Bravo