Did you ever wonder how a website or an article creates hype on the internet? What do you have to do to get a higher ranking on any search engine?
Use the keywords.
Keywords are an essential part of the online content that can boost SEO practices. With a variety of languages, you can even localize the keywords. Although the localization of keywords is often overlooked, this can produce a low ranking on search engines.
Before you localize the keywords (for even general use) understand their use.
What exactly does the word “Keyword” mean?
Keywords revolve around the ideas, and topics related to the content. From SEO’s perspective, the words and phrases are search queries. Those words and phrases are the keywords that require your focus. So if you are a website owner or a creator, you need to keep keywords placement in mind.
The translation is not effective for the keywords; it’s not helpful in SEO strategy, so instead keyword localization is all game. You adapt the word according to the language and thus it increases your chances of being more visible online.
How can you assure to hit the target audience with the right localized keyword? Let’s map out the tactics in 5 corners.
1. Do Not Assume the Keyword
Translation and localization are not the same. Inexperienced marketers or translators need to understand the clear differences between the two concepts. Both are different concepts used for the same purpose – target the local audience.
Every language has its particular effect, so you cannot just “assume” that same keyword will outreach the audience in the same way it did in another language. For example, the word Home has a similar keyword like residence, accommodating, apartments, etc. In the UK, the “flats” are used instead of “apartments”. So if you want to target the audience, you need to use the right keyword.
Each keyword has its value and role to play in SEO. For this very purpose, conduct thorough keyword research to generate more opportunities.
2. Move One Country at a Time
Keywords vary from one country to another. You have to produce content that appeals to audiences from various countries. Websites, games, apps, etc., are localized with the right tools and the translator must understand how he will use the keyword.
Sometimes the same words can have an entirely different meaning in other languages. “Coche” means a car in Spain. Whereas, in Argentina, the same word means “baby stroller”. In the same country, multiple languages are spoken; every 5km dialect varies, so it suffices to say the changes in dialects can also affect the keyword search on search engines.
If you translate your website into one language, make sure to find the varying dialects too. In India, 22 official languages are spoken. Now if you were to launch the said website in India, will one language suffice? No, you will have to use translation and localization. Perhaps, transcreation could also take place.
Several languages have regional versions that mean the synonymous keywords will exist in each version. People do not rely on the dictionary anymore when typing the word. Keyword localization will allow you to add positive effects on the audience to generate more traffic.
3. The Audience is Your Sun and Stars
When you localize a word or content, you do so by keeping your target audience in mind. Make sure you keep the demographics in mind. Language even varies within the population pyramid. The age factor, for instance, means the use of words and tones will vary too. Language evolves with each generation, like slang, this also evolves the SEO practice.
Besides this, keyword localization is usually based on two major types of clients; B2B and B2C. Local corporate language demands differ from the demand of the non-corporate sector. That’s why it is important to choose the right keyword for the target audience.
Marketers produce content in the form of ads, brochures, pamphlets, etc., according to their niche, keyword localization will vary with each attempt at translating the content. As a marketer, you need to collaborate your content with the translator to provide them with the necessary context to understand how to localize the keyword.
Keyword localization requirements will differ according to brand, product, and audience
4. Use of Terminologies as Keywords
Keywords are a lot like terminologies used for translation. They help put forth the original meaning of the source content together.
When a document is translated a terminology database is created. This helps translators to work on the project and is also usable for future references. Likewise, having a complete glossary of keywords helps save time, speed up the localization process. It allows consistency in your content as well. Translating the content with the right keywords is effective (as you already know) however, keyword localization is more time taking than a regular translation.
This is the foremost reason why the use of terminologies is effective as keywords. So every time a translator uses a glossary from the source language, they will already have the instructions on how to place the localized keyword in the target language. Changes will be just a few clicks away.
5. Work with Local Linguists
Collaborate with the best native linguists for your projects. Localization is more than a mere translation; it resonates with the culture and makes your content more relevant and easy-to-understand for the target audience.
Using exact words for a localized keyword is the strategy to opt for. You can’t simply miss and match the keyword with an existing word, but ensure that the localized keyword makes proper sense when used in the content.
Excellent linguistic skills and cultural insights are what a translator must possess to translate and localize the keywords. Such specialists know how to forge the keywords to attract the local market and meet the public’s expectations.
Bottom Line
You can easily use a keyword tool to search keywords specific for every region, it also represents the search volumes and defines the purpose of the content. Even after localization, keywords need to be naturally integrated into the text. Enhance online user experience in their native tongue; people never get tired of it.
Read Also: All You Need to Know about Glocalization