---
name: keyword_research
description: Research page-target keyword candidates for a single SEO page. Returns only concise keyword groupings and one recommended target direction.
---

# Keyword Research

## Purpose
Use this skill to produce PURE keyword research for ONE page only.

This skill is for keyword targeting only.
It is NOT for audits, copywriting, content outlines, FAQ ideation, AEO strategy, schema, implementation planning, metadata writing, on-page recommendations, messaging strategy, content planning, SERP strategy, PPC strategy, or conversion strategy.

## IMPORTANT
THIS SKILL MUST STAY IN THE KEYWORD RESEARCH LANE.

RETURN ONLY THESE 7 SECTIONS:
- Objective
- Primary Keywords
- Secondary Keywords
- Semantic / Entity Terms
- Local Modifiers
- Recommended Page Target
- Risks / Notes

DO NOT RETURN ANY OTHER SECTION NAMES.
DO NOT RENAME THE SECTIONS.
DO NOT ADD INTRO TEXT.
DO NOT ADD SUMMARY TEXT.
DO NOT ADD FINDINGS.
DO NOT ADD RECOMMENDATIONS.
DO NOT ADD NEXT STEPS.

## CRITICAL OUTPUT BOUNDARY
THIS IS NOT:
- an SEO audit
- a content brief
- a page outline
- a heading plan
- an FAQ plan
- an AEO deliverable
- a schema recommendation
- an implementation plan
- a local SEO strategy memo
- a title/meta task
- a CTA task
- a PPC task
- a blog ideation task
- a “what should I do next” advisory task

DO NOT ACT LIKE A CONSULTANT.
DO NOT EXPAND THE SCOPE.
DO NOT OFFER ADDITIONAL HELP.
DO NOT ASK A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION.
DO NOT END WITH OPTIONAL NEXT ACTIONS.
DO NOT INCLUDE ANY PHRASE LIKE:
- "If you want"
- "Next steps"
- "I can also"
- "Which would you like"
- "Pick any"
- "Recommended actions"
- "Priority recommendations"
- "Options"
- "Proceed with"

## MEMORY AND PRIOR OUTPUT RULES
DO NOT use memory, prior sessions, prior deliverables, or prior saved outputs as the authority for output format.

DO NOT say:
- "I found a recent session"
- "Source:"
- "Based on memory"
- "Using an existing recommended keyword set"
- "I’ll use that as the base"

IF memory or prior outputs conflict with this skill's required structure, IGNORE their structure and FOLLOW THIS SKILL.

YOU MAY use prior context only to understand the page topic, service, or location.
YOU MUST NOT reuse older section names, older templates, older SEO frameworks, or older deliverable formats.

DO NOT cite memory files.
DO NOT mention memory paths.
DO NOT inherit formatting from previous sessions.

## Use this skill when
Use this skill when the task is to identify the best keyword targets for a SINGLE page, such as:
- service page
- location page
- category page
- landing page

## DO NOT DO
DO NOT include:
- FAQ targets
- AEO recommendations
- conversational query lists
- title tags
- meta descriptions
- headings
- page outlines
- content briefs
- schema recommendations
- implementation steps
- internal linking recommendations
- on-page notes
- rewrite suggestions
- option menus
- packages
- tertiary keyword sections
- short-tail keyword sections
- long-tail keyword sections
- messaging advice
- trust signal recommendations
- conversion advice
- content strategy advice
- audience expansion beyond the clearest page intent
- proof-point suggestions
- service-area strategy commentary
- competitor strategy
- SERP feature strategy
- PPC strategy
- copy ideas
- FAQs
- H1 suggestions
- H2 suggestions
- H3 suggestions
- blog ideas
- snippet strategy
- featured snippet suggestions
- voice-search sections
- CTA advice
- local landmark targeting
- neighborhood targeting unless explicitly requested
- adjacent-city targeting unless explicitly requested
- “near me” strategy unless explicitly requested
- problem-query lists
- symptom-query lists
- search-volume estimates
- difficulty estimates
- CPC estimates
- GMB/GBP recommendations
- follow-up offers like “If you want, I can…”

If the request is really about audits, AEO, content planning, implementation, content writing, SERP strategy, or page strategy, STOP and return ONLY keyword research.

## Required thinking
Determine:
1. the page type
2. the clearest commercial page intent
3. the main service/topic target
4. the most relevant core keyword family
5. the strongest local modifiers if location matters
6. the supporting semantic/entity terms that strengthen topical relevance
7. the single recommended page target direction

## IMPORTANT KEYWORD SELECTION RULES
PRIORITIZE the main commercial page-intent keyword family FIRST.

KEEP the page focused on ONE dominant service intent.

DO NOT widen the page audience unless the prompt explicitly requires multi-audience targeting.

DO NOT mix residential and commercial audience targeting on the same page unless the prompt explicitly requires both.

USE urgent/service modifiers like "emergency", "same-day", and "24 hour" as SECONDARY unless the page itself is specifically an emergency repair page.

DO NOT use scheduling, price, or promotional modifiers like "weekend", "affordable", "cheap", "best", "open now", or similar unless the prompt explicitly asks for those variants.

DO NOT place broader parent-category terms like "HVAC repair" in Primary Keywords when the page target is specifically AC repair.

IN PRIMARY KEYWORDS, prefer the TIGHTEST direct page-intent keyword family only.

DO NOT place broad service variants, maintenance variants, diagnostic-only variants, subservice variants, equipment variants, issue variants, audience variants, pricing variants, scheduling variants, promotional variants, or parent-category phrases in Primary Keywords when a more direct repair term exists.

DO NOT use blended marketing phrases like "service and repair" when a cleaner repair-intent phrase exists.

DO NOT use generic repair-service blends like "AC repair service" when a cleaner repair-intent variant exists.

USE geo-modified keyword phrases for local service pages when appropriate.

KEEP local modifiers generic and query-aligned.

DO NOT invent neighborhood-level, landmark-level, district-level, hyperlocal modifiers, ZIP-code modifiers, or adjacent-city modifiers unless the prompt explicitly asks for them.

IN LOCAL MODIFIERS, prefer city-level variants FIRST and avoid broader county/regional modifiers unless the prompt explicitly asks for broader geography.

DO NOT include county-wide, metro-wide, vague service-area modifiers, loose phrases like "area", ZIP-code variants, neighborhood variants, or adjacent-city variants when the page target is clearly city-specific unless the prompt explicitly asks for them.

DO NOT use "near me" phrasing unless the prompt explicitly asks for near-me keyword variants.

DO NOT use symptom-style or problem-style queries unless the prompt explicitly asks for problem-query research, FAQ research, or AEO/conversational research.

DO NOT invent search volume, difficulty, CPC, competition, or precision data.

DO NOT pad the result with weak phrase variations just to fill sections.

PREFER realistic search phrasing over clever or marketing-heavy phrasing.

AVOID manufactured keyword phrases that sound unnatural, over-explained, or unlikely to reflect real search behavior.

PREFER repair-intent phrasing over maintenance-intent phrasing when the requested page is specifically about repair.

KEEP issue-level and component-level phrases secondary or semantic unless they are clearly central to the requested page.

AVOID legacy, outdated, brand-specific, or casually used consumer terms unless they clearly fit current search behavior for the exact query family.

DO NOT use weak equipment-led phrases like "AC unit repair" in place of cleaner core repair variants unless the prompt explicitly calls for that wording.

PREFER repair-oriented issue and component terms over maintenance-oriented terms like calibration, tune-up, cleaning, recharge, or servicing when the page is specifically about repair.

DO NOT keep weak terms just because they are adjacent to the topic.
ONLY keep terms that strengthen the page's keyword targeting.

IF a cleaner, more direct, more modern phrase exists, PREFER that phrase.

KEEP diagnostic language in Semantic / Entity Terms unless diagnostics is clearly central to the requested page intent.

DO NOT place diagnostic phrases in Secondary Keywords when stronger repair-intent keyword variants already cover the page.

DO NOT place fault-specific, issue-specific, or component-repair phrases in Secondary Keywords for a GENERAL AC REPAIR PAGE.

KEEP component, issue, and fault terms in Semantic / Entity Terms unless the page itself is specifically about that fault, component, or subservice.

DO NOT geo-modify component-level or issue-level phrases unless the prompt explicitly asks for subservice or fault-page keyword targeting.

DO NOT use generic "service" phrasing in Secondary Keywords when a cleaner repair-intent variant exists.

DO NOT place symptom/problem phrases like "not cooling", "blowing warm air", "making noise", or "won't turn on" in Secondary Keywords for a general repair page.

KEEP symptom/problem language out of this skill unless the prompt explicitly asks for conversational, FAQ, or AEO-style query research.

DO NOT include trust/proof phrases like "licensed HVAC technician", "certified technician", "trusted company", or similar in Semantic / Entity Terms unless the prompt explicitly asks for trust/proof language research.

## EXCLUSION EXAMPLES
When the page is for AC repair in a city, DO NOT return sections like:
- Findings
- Primary (page focus)
- Secondary / supporting
- Long-tail queries
- Problem-focused queries
- Transactional modifiers
- Service + intent modifiers
- Neighborhood phrases
- Micro-location phrases
- Content / informational keywords
- Priority recommendations
- Implementation notes
- Estimations & intent notes
- Risks & gaps
- Next steps
- Options

When the page is for AC repair in a city, DO NOT select weak terms like:
- AC unit repair
- Freon recharge
- thermostat calibration
- Anaheim area
- Anaheim 92805
- AC repair near me Anaheim
- best AC repair near me Anaheim
- cooling system diagnostics Anaheim
- compressor replacement Anaheim
- refrigerant leak repair Anaheim
- condenser replacement Anaheim
- Anaheim AC service and repair
- AC repair service Anaheim
- air conditioner not cooling Anaheim
- affordable AC repair Anaheim
- weekend AC repair Anaheim
- licensed HVAC technician
- HVAC repair Anaheim as a primary target for an AC repair page
- broader HVAC references that were not selected
- broader umbrella phrasing that was not selected
- mixed residential/commercial targeting unless explicitly requested

When a cleaner alternative exists, PREFER examples like:
- air conditioning repair Anaheim
- AC repair Anaheim
- air conditioner repair Anaheim
- emergency AC repair Anaheim
- same-day AC repair Anaheim
- 24 hour AC repair Anaheim
- residential AC repair Anaheim
- refrigerant leak repair
- compressor repair
- cooling system diagnostics

## Output rules
BE concise.
BE structured.
DO NOT add extra sections.
DO NOT explain reasoning.
DO NOT include implementation advice.
DO NOT include copywriting.
DO NOT include metadata suggestions.
DO NOT include FAQ or question lists.
DO NOT include strategy commentary beyond keyword targeting.
DO NOT offer follow-up help.
DO NOT ask a closing question.
DO NOT end with optional next steps.

## OUTPUT FORMAT
RETURN EXACTLY THIS FORMAT AND NOTHING ELSE:

## Objective
[one sentence]

## Primary Keywords
- 
- 
- 

## Secondary Keywords
- 
- 
- 
- 

## Semantic / Entity Terms
- 
- 
- 
- 

## Local Modifiers
- 
- 
- 

## Recommended Page Target
[one short paragraph]

## Risks / Notes
- 
- 

## Objective
One sentence describing the page target.
KEEP the objective aligned to the clearest page intent only.
DO NOT broaden the audience or service scope unless the prompt explicitly requires it.
PREFER neutral phrasing like "Service page for..." or "Target a service page for..." over broad audience wording like "customers," "everyone," or mixed audiences.
DO NOT use abstract SEO jargon like "commercial intent" in the Objective line.
KEEP the Objective plain, direct, and natural.

## Primary Keywords
- 3 to 5 keyword targets only
- these should be the strongest direct keyword targets for the page
- keep them tightly aligned to the main page intent
- for local service pages, prefer geo-modified versions when appropriate
- DO NOT place broad service, maintenance, equipment, issue, audience, pricing, scheduling, promotional, or parent-category variants here when stronger direct repair targets exist

## Secondary Keywords
- 4 to 8 supporting keyword targets only
- these may include urgent-service modifiers, residential OR commercial qualifiers if relevant, or close service variations
- DO NOT let secondary keywords overtake the main page target
- use only natural supporting variants that fit the same page intent
- DO NOT use weak filler variants just to increase count
- DO NOT use equipment-led phrases when a cleaner service-led phrase exists
- DO NOT include maintenance-oriented variants unless they are clearly central to the requested page
- DO NOT mix residential and commercial qualifiers unless the prompt explicitly requires both audiences
- DO NOT use near-me phrasing unless the prompt explicitly asks for it
- DO NOT place diagnostic phrases here when cleaner repair-intent variants already exist
- DO NOT place component-repair, issue-repair, or fault-repair phrases here for a general repair page
- DO NOT use blended "service and repair" phrases when a cleaner repair variant exists
- DO NOT use generic "repair service" phrases when a cleaner repair variant exists
- DO NOT place symptom/problem phrases here for a general repair page
- DO NOT place price, promo, or schedule modifiers here unless the prompt explicitly asks for them

## Semantic / Entity Terms
- 4 to 8 relevant supporting terms only
- include closely related service concepts, equipment terms, issue terms, or diagnostic concepts that strengthen topical relevance
- DO NOT turn this section into a subservice catalog
- DO NOT include marketing claims or trust signals in this section
- AVOID maintenance-heavy phrasing unless clearly relevant to the requested page
- AVOID outdated, casual, or weak terminology when a cleaner modern phrase exists
- PREFER repair-relevant issue and component terms over maintenance-adjustment language
- DO NOT include weak legacy consumer wording such as outdated refrigerant shorthand when a cleaner phrase exists
- DO NOT include Freon recharge unless the user explicitly asks for that phrasing
- DO NOT include thermostat calibration unless calibration is central to the requested page
- KEEP fault, issue, and component terms generic unless geo-modified subservice targeting was explicitly requested
- DO NOT include trust/proof or credential phrases here unless explicitly requested

## Local Modifiers
- 3 to 6 location variants only
- keep these generic and query-aligned
- prefer the core city target first
- prefer city and city-state variants over county, ZIP, neighborhood, adjacent-city, or regional phrasing
- DO NOT use loose regional wording like "area" when the page target is city-specific
- DO NOT use ZIP-code modifiers unless explicitly requested
- OMIT only if location is clearly irrelevant

## Recommended Page Target
- one short paragraph
- identify the single best target direction for this page
- state what the page should primarily target
- state what should remain supporting only
- describe keyword targeting only
- KEEP this section dry and direct
- DO NOT add messaging advice, trust signals, content strategy, implementation suggestions, FAQ suggestions, schema suggestions, or title/H1/H2 advice
- DO NOT mention broader categories unless they were actually selected in the keyword groups
- DO NOT mention HVAC, maintenance, emergency, residential, commercial, central-air, diagnostics, issue, fault, or component families unless they actually appear in the selected keyword set
- DO NOT use abstract SEO jargon like "commercial intent" here

## Risks / Notes
- up to 3 short bullets
- only include real risks such as mixed intent, weak geo fit, overlap/cannibalization risk, parent-topic drift, or overly broad modifiers
- KEEP risks tied to the actual selected keyword set
- DO NOT introduce risks based on keywords that were not selected
- PREFER concrete keyword-target risks over abstract SEO commentary

## Style rules
PREFER buyer/service intent over informational drift when the requested page is commercial.
PREFER concise keyword phrases, not long explanatory sentences.
PREFER realistic search phrasing over clever phrasing.
DO NOT add FAQs or questions.
DO NOT add "Top priority keywords" sections.
DO NOT add "On-page note" sections.
DO NOT add tertiary, short-tail, or long-tail sections.
DO NOT add neighborhood modifiers unless explicitly requested.
DO NOT add landmarks unless explicitly requested.
DO NOT add adjacent-city targets unless explicitly requested.
DO NOT add broad regional modifiers that weaken the page's core geo target unless the prompt explicitly calls for that broader geography.
DO NOT turn the Recommended Page Target section into copy strategy or page planning.
DO NOT broaden a city repair page into a regional service page unless explicitly asked.
DO NOT broaden a residential repair page into residential-plus-commercial unless explicitly asked.
DO NOT use vague audience wording when the page intent is already clear.
DO NOT use outdated HVAC phrasing when cleaner modern repair phrasing exists.
BE SELECTIVE.
FILTER OUT "GOOD ENOUGH" TERMS WHEN STRONGER TERMS ALREADY COVER THE PAGE INTENT.