How To Build Keyword Map In Google Sheets | Module 3.3

Why You Need a Keyword Map

If you’ve ever wondered which keywords belong to which page—or caught yourself targeting the same keyword across multiple posts—a keyword map fixes that. It’s a simple document that tells you:

• Which keywords each page targets
• Where you have content gaps
• How to plan your next articles strategically

By building your keyword map in Google Sheets, you’ll have a free, shareable, and flexible tool for organising your SEO plan.

Here is a Keyword Map Google Sheet to get you Started

Step 1: Gather Your Keywords

Start by collecting all the keywords you want to target. You can export them from tools like:

• Google Search Console (actual search queries driving traffic)
• Ahrefs / Semrush / Ubersuggest (keyword discovery and competition data)
• SEO Minion (on-page keyword data from competitor pages)

Export these keywords into a spreadsheet or directly paste them into your Google Sheet.

Pro Tip: Include both short-tail (broad) and long-tail (specific) keywords to balance reach and conversion potential.

Step 2: Check Search Intent

Before mapping, you must understand what users really want when they search each keyword. Categorise every keyword by intent:

Add a “Search Intent” column in your Sheet and tag each keyword accordingly.

Step 3: Group by Topic

Next, group related keywords under one core topic.
For example:

Each group will usually represent one main page or blog post idea.

Step 4: Assign Keywords to Pages

Now that you have your topics, match them to existing or planned pages.
Add these columns to your Sheet:

• Page URL (or Planned URL)
• Primary Keyword
• Supporting Keywords
• Search Intent
• Search Volume
• Content Type (Blog, Service, Landing, etc.)

This instantly shows what content exists, what’s missing, and where you might have overlapping targets.

Step 5: Identify Gaps and Overlaps

Filter or sort by your Primary Keyword column to spot duplication.

• If multiple URLs target the same term → merge or consolidate.
• If a keyword has no assigned page → add it to your content roadmap.

Goal: Each primary keyword should have one dedicated page.

Step 6: Prioritise for Quick Wins

Add a “Priority” column to identify high-impact opportunities.
Use a simple scoring system:

Then calculate a total priority score. Focus on high relevance + low difficulty for your next posts.

Step 7: Use the Free Google Sheets Template

To save time, start with the ready-made Keyword Map Template. It includes:

• Pre-filled columns for search intent, priority, and assigned URLs
• Conditional formatting to highlight duplicates
• Drop-downs for easy filtering

Step 8: Keep It Updated

Revisit your keyword map monthly or after major content updates.

• Add new keyword opportunities
• Mark pages that have been published
• Update metrics (search volume, clicks, impressions)

This ensures your SEO plan stays current and data-driven.

Final Thoughts

A keyword map is more than just a spreadsheet—it’s your SEO command centre. It helps you see exactly where your content stands, what’s missing, and what to write next.

With a clear structure and the free Google Sheets template, you’ll spend less time guessing and more time creating content that ranks.

Part of Module 2: Site Structure & Navigation

• Site Structure & Navigation | Module 2
  • What is a Canonical URL
  • Site Structure for SEO: Why It Matters
  • What is CMS and how it Helps with SEO