SEO Checklist

Question keywords are search queries that users phrase as questions. These keywords often start with words like what, why, how, when, where, who, can, should, etc. Targeting them in your content can help you rank in Google's “People Also Ask” section, voice search results, and featured snippets.

🤔 Why Focus on Question Keywords?

• High user intent: People asking questions want specific answers and are more likely to engage.


• SEO visibility: Google loves answering questions — they often trigger featured snippets.


• Great for content planning: Each question can be a blog post, FAQ item, or section in a guide.


• Voice search optimization: Most voice searches are framed as questions.

🔍 How to Find Question Keywords

1. Use Google's “People Also Ask”

Search your main keyword in Google and look for the “People Also Ask” box. It displays related questions people ask on the same topic. Expand a few and you'll see more suggestions appear.


Example: SEO tools →

“What is the best SEO tool for beginners?”

“How do SEO tools work?”

“Are free SEO tools worth it?”


2. Use AnswerThePublic

AnswerThePublic visualizes all the questions people ask about a topic. It organizes them into:

• “What” questions


• “Why” questions


• “How” questions


• and more

This tool is excellent for content ideation and FAQ creation.

3. Use Ahrefs or SEMrush

Both Ahrefs and SEMrush allow you to filter keyword lists to show only question-based keywords using a “Questions” filter.


Example in Ahrefs: Keyword Explorer → Enter “freelance writing” → Questions tab

Output: “How to start freelance writing with no experience?”


4. Explore Quora and Reddit

Use forums and communities to find real questions your audience is asking:

• Search Quora topics relevant to your niche


• Browse subreddit threads (like r/SEO, r/digitalmarketing, etc.)


• Extract recurring questions for content ideas

5. Use Google Search Console

Check your “Performance” report and filter for queries containing question words like how, what, why, etc. These are already bringing traffic to your site and can be expanded into full articles.

6. Use Keyword Tool.io (Free Version)

Go to KeywordTool.io and input a seed keyword. Then click on the “Questions” tab to find hundreds of question-based variations.

📘 Examples by Industry

📚 Education

• What is the best way to study for finals?


• How do I improve my memory for exams?

🏋️ Health & Fitness

• How many calories should I eat per day?


• What is the best workout for fat loss?

💼 Business & Marketing

• Why is digital marketing important?


• How to create a business plan for a startup?

💡 Strategic Uses of Question Keywords

• Create an FAQ page targeting multiple question keywords


• Use them as H2 or H3 headings in blog posts


• Structure answers clearly to improve chances of being featured


• Target voice search users by including natural question phrasing

📌 Final Thoughts

Finding and using question keywords is an effective SEO strategy to boost your content’s visibility, enhance user engagement, and target users at different stages of their search journey. By answering real questions, you position yourself as a trusted authority in your niche.