Understanding Keyword Clustering: Spokes, Hubs, and Categories

Keyword clustering is an essential technique used in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to organize and optimize website content effectively.

Our multi-level keyword clustering tool groups related keywords into three levels: spokes, hubs, and categories. Let's dive into each level and learn how to interpret their use.

Cluster_1 (Spokes):

• Cluster_1 represents a group of related keywords.
• To qualify as related, when searched on google two related keywords must have more than 4 (or >40%) of the first 10 organic results.
• The "name" of Cluster_1 is just the largest or first keyword in the group. However, this name might not accurately reflect the entire cluster's content.
• To truly understand what Cluster_1 is about, it is best to check the H1 titles or ranking pages within the cluster. This ensures you grasp the main topic covered by the cluster.

Cluster_2 (Hubs):

• Cluster_2 are groups of Cluster_1
• Cluster_2 contains groups of spokes that are related to each other through their shared keywords.
• The "name" of Cluster_2 is the largest or first Cluster_1 in the group and in most cases this should be the "pillar" post
• The name of Cluster_2 may not be the most descriptive, and it is better to look at all the Cluster_1 pages within it to understand its content.
• A more appropriate name for Cluster_2 can often be derived by aggregating the themes of all the Cluster_1 pages, giving a broader and more accurate topic representation.
• The technical implementation for how we group spokes into hubs is proprietary.

Cluster_3 (Categories):

• Cluster_3 consists of groups of hubs, which is similar to a category in this model.
• The "name" of Cluster_3 is just the same as the largest or first hub in the group and in most cases this should be the "primary" hub within that category.
• To truly understand what Cluster_3 represents, consider it as the combination of all the hubs within it.
• In other words, the name of Cluster_3 should encompass the overarching theme that includes all the hubs within the category.
• The technical implementation for how we group hubs into categories is proprietary.

Interpreting and Renaming:

• When working with keyword clusters, it is important to note that the initial names assigned by the tool may not always be the most appropriate or descriptive.
• To improve the clarity and relevance of the clusters, consider reorganizing and renaming them based on your specific content needs. You can get clues for the true name of the cluster by examining the ranking pages, H1 titles, or by aggregating the themes at each level.
• By doing so, the clusters become more meaningful and provide a clearer representation of the website's content, making it easier for users and search engines to understand the site's structure and topics.

By implementing these keyword clusters you can enhance the organization and optimization of your content strategy, improving your website's visibility and user experience.

Remember to constantly review and refine the clusters as the content on the website evolves to maintain their accuracy and effectiveness.

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