How To Do Keyword Research For Affiliate Marketing

If you’re getting into affiliate marketing, chances are you’ve heard about keyword research — maybe in a YouTube video, a blog post, or from someone who’s been in the game longer than you.

Everyone talks about how “important” it is. But what does that actually mean? And how do you do keyword research in a way that helps you earn, not just guess?

Let’s break it down simply.

Keyword research is like listening in on what your potential customers are typing into Google. It’s the first real step in understanding what your audience wants so you can create content that answers their questions — and links them to products that genuinely solve their problems.

If you’re skipping this step or doing it half-heartedly, you’re basically writing blog posts or making YouTube videos in the dark, hoping someone stumbles across them.

And that’s not a strategy. That’s luck.

But don’t worry. You don’t need to be a tech expert or spend hours digging through complicated tools. Once you know what to look for and how to organize it, keyword research becomes a smart, repeatable system. One that brings traffic and, eventually, commissions.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What keyword research really means (without the fluff)
• Why it’s non-negotiable for affiliate marketing success
• Step-by-step instructions to do it the right way
• How to spot high-converting, buyer-intent keywords
• Tools you can use — free and paid
• How to build email sequences around your keywords (yes, we’ll show you how MailDrip.io helps here too)

Let’s dive in.

Why Keyword Research Matters for Affiliate Marketing

Imagine trying to sell snow boots in the middle of the Sahara. That’s what it’s like when you promote products people aren’t searching for. Keyword research prevents that.

It helps you:

• Understand your niche better — what real problems people face
• Find gaps in the content market — so you don’t compete with giants
• Target buyer-intent keywords — words people type in when they’re ready to spend money
• Get found by the right people — not just traffic, but useful traffic
• Build a content plan that works — from blog posts to email funnels

Whether you’re running a niche site, a review blog, or promoting products on YouTube or TikTok, keyword research is the bridge between effort and income.

How Can I Do Keyword Research For Affiliate Marketing?

1. Start With a Niche (And a Problem)

Affiliate marketing works best when you’re specific. Don’t just think “fitness.” Think “fitness for new moms recovering from C-sections” or “home workouts for men over 40.” Get into the problem space. People don’t search for vague advice — they search for solutions to problems.

Example: Instead of “best supplements,” a better starting point might be:

• “best protein powder for lactose intolerant athletes”
• “what supplements help women with PCOS lose weight”

Use Google’s autocomplete, Reddit, YouTube comments, Amazon reviews — they’re full of questions your audience is already asking.

2. Use Free Tools to Find Keyword Ideas

You don’t need to pay for expensive tools right away. Here are a few free ones that work surprisingly well:

• Google Suggest: Just type your idea into Google and see what comes up.
• Answer the Public: Gives you question-style searches people type in.
• Ubersuggest: Gives search volume and difficulty.
• Keyword Surfer (Chrome Extension): Shows volume directly in Google results.
• Reddit + Quora: Great for seeing what real people are asking.

Start by listing out 30–50 potential keyword ideas. Focus on ones that:

• Solve a problem
• Mention a product type or solution
• Are specific and long-tail (3+ words)

3. Analyze Keyword Intent (This Is Where Many People Mess Up)

Not all keywords are created equal. Some are purely informational (“what is keto”), some are commercial (“best keto meal plan app”), and some are transactional (“buy keto app discount”).

For affiliate marketing, you want commercial and transactional intent. These people are much closer to buying.

Look for keywords that include words like:

• best
• top
• vs
• reviews
• cheap
• where to buy
• alternative to [product]

These signal that the person is already in decision mode — which is where your affiliate link comes in.

4. Check the Competition (But Don’t Be Scared of It)

Use Google to check what’s already ranking for your keywords.

If the top results are huge brands like Healthline, Amazon, or Forbes, and you see almost no small bloggers or YouTubers — the competition might be too tough. But if you see a mix of personal blogs, forums, or newer content, that’s a green light.

Tools like Ubersuggest, Ahrefs Free Plan, or Moz’s Keyword Explorer can show you keyword difficulty scores, but even just using Google manually is enough in the beginning.

5. Organize Your Keywords Into Clusters

Don’t just target one keyword per article. Think in clusters.

Example:

• Main keyword: best protein powder for lactose intolerance
• Related sub-keywords: whey protein vs plant-based for lactose, lactose-free post workout shakes, can I take protein if I’m lactose intolerant?

By clustering related keywords, you create richer content, rank for multiple terms, and increase your chances of showing up in search.

6. Create Content That Converts — Then Nurture With Email

Now that you have your keywords, write helpful content that:

• Answers the question clearly
• Recommends products naturally (not spammy)
• Links to your affiliate partners with honest, real talk

But don’t stop at content. Here’s where MailDrip.io steps in.

With MailDrip.io, you can:

• Capture email leads from your content (with freebies or cheat sheets)
• Send helpful email series built around your keyword topic (drip marketing at its best)
• Convert readers into buyers over time, not just on the first visit

Let’s say you wrote a blog post on “best email marketing tools for creators.” You could use MailDrip.io to offer a free checklist (like “Email Starter Kit for Creators”), collect their email, then send a 5-part email series:

1. Why email marketing isn’t dead
2. What tool is right for you?
3. How to set up your first campaign
4. Common mistakes to avoid
5. Special offer — with your affiliate link inside

Now you’re not just getting clicks. You’re building a relationship — and your income grows with it.

FAQs

How many keywords should I target per post?

Aim for one main keyword and 3–5 closely related keywords. Don’t overdo it — focus on writing naturally for humans first.

How often should I do keyword research?

Ideally before every major piece of content. But also revisit monthly to find new trends or gaps.

Can I use AI tools to generate keywords?

Yes — tools like ChatGPT or Jasper can help you brainstorm, but always validate them with real-world data from Google or keyword tools.

How do I know if a keyword will make money?

If the keyword has buyer intent and matches an affiliate product you trust, it’s a good bet. Use Google Trends and affiliate network dashboards to confirm demand.

Final Thoughts

Keyword research might seem overwhelming at first, but once you learn the basics and build a system, it becomes a powerful way to grow your affiliate income — steadily and predictably.

And here’s the good news: You don’t need to do it all manually.

With MailDrip.io, you can take those keywords and turn them into email sequences that work for you behind the scenes.

We make it simple to send helpful, automated emails that feel personal — without the tech headaches. Plus, with our Pay As You Go model, you’re not locked into monthly fees you don’t use.

So, if you’re ready to stop guessing and start building, why not give your content a boost with smart keywords and smarter emails?

Ready to try it? Start with MailDrip.io today — it’s free to begin.

Now over to you:

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced when doing keyword research for affiliate marketing?