The keyword effectiveness index (KEI) is an important measure that can help you to improve your website’s traffic, with the least amount of effort–not to say that hard work isn’t important!

So how do we calculate KEI?

KEI is simply calculated using a keyword’s popularity, based on the count column in WordTracker (WT), divided by the number of results for that keyword. So, for instance, currently there are 6.4 million results for the term body kits in Google, and SEObook.com’s free keyword suggestion tool shows 364 for the daily WT count. However, for a proper KEI calculation we need to multiple this number times 30 to get the WT count for one full month (the number of searches per month). Therefore, the KEI is 10,920/6,400,000= 0.000175.

Long Tail Keywords Usually Have Better KEI

Earlier I gave the example of the keyword ‘body kits’ having a KEI of 0.000175. However, if we search for a more “long tail niche-type” keyword like “Honda Civic Body Kits”, you will usually get a higher KEI. In theory, this means you will be utilizing your time more effectively and it will be easier to maintain your rankings. Honda civic body kits has a much higher KEI of 0.00148, in this example.

In short, the higher the KEI is the more popular the search term is and the less competition you will be faced with for that keyword–this makes it easier to rank in the top 10, as you will have less competition for the term. Thus, KEI is an important tool; however, it shouldn’t be the only tool equipped in your SEO toolbox! There are a wealth of other important indicators that should not be ignored–for instance, the type of competitors in the industry or the profit margin and growth potential in that niche. Harnessing this combined wealth of information should help guide you to online success, and enhance your overall web promotion strategy.