When we first launched our blog, one challenge stood out: our content felt scattered. We were publishing posts regularly, but traffic growth was slow, and most articles weren’t ranking well. That’s when we discovered the power of keyword clustering.
Keyword clustering changed the way we planned content. Instead of targeting isolated keywords, we began grouping related search terms and organizing our blog around those clusters. This simple yet strategic approach not only improved our search engine rankings but also gave structure to our entire blog.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how keyword clustering works and how you can apply it to The Boring Magazine, even if you’re just starting.
What Is Keyword Clustering?
Keyword clustering is the process of grouping related keywords that share similar search intent. Instead of writing one blog post for each keyword, you plan content around a cluster of related terms and create a series of interlinked posts.
For example, instead of writing separate articles for:
- “How to start a blog”
- “blogging for beginners”
- “beginner blogging tips”
You create one comprehensive pillar post (e.g., “The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Blogging”) and then link it to supporting articles that target specific subtopics.
This approach helps in two major ways:
- It signals to Google that your site has topical authority.
- It improves internal linking, which boosts SEO and keeps readers on your site longer.
Why Keyword Clustering Matters
Search engines no longer focus on single keywords; they understand topics. That’s why keyword clusters are so effective. By covering a topic comprehensively across multiple posts, you:
- Increase your chances of ranking for multiple related search terms
- Build topical depth, which improves your authority
- Help users navigate logically through your content
This shift in strategy led to noticeable results on our blog. Not only did rankings improve, but bounce rates dropped and session times increased.
How to Do Keyword Clustering (Step-by-Step)
Here’s the exact method followed to build keyword clusters:
Step 1: Start with a Seed Topic
Pick a broad topic relevant to your niche. For example: “vegan recipes.”
Step 2: Gather Keyword Data
Use tools like:
- Google Keyword Planner
- Ubersuggest
- Ahrefs (if available)
- AnswerThePublic
Look for keywords that include your seed term plus variations. Example:
- vegan dinner recipes
- easy vegan meals
- plant-based dinner ideas
- 30-minute vegan dinners
Step 3: Group Keywords by Intent
Now break your keyword list into clusters based on search intent:
Cluster 1: Quick & Easy Vegan Dinners
- “easy vegan dinners”
- “quick plant-based meals”
- “30-minute vegan recipes”
Cluster 2: Vegan Recipes for Beginners
- “vegan meals for beginners”
- “simple vegan dishes”
- “starter vegan recipes”
This grouping ensures that each cluster addresses a specific audience need.
Step 4: Plan Your Content Structure
Now assign content roles:
- Pillar Post: A comprehensive article that covers the broader cluster topic
- Supporting Posts: In-depth articles focusing on individual subtopics
For example:
- Pillar: “25 Quick and Easy Vegan Dinners”
- Supporting:
- “Best Vegan Sheet Pan Dinners”
- “5-Minute Vegan Meal Prep Ideas”
- “One-Pot Plant-Based Recipes for Busy Nights”
These articles internally link to each other and reinforce the main topic.
Step 5: Optimize Internal Linking
Link your supporting posts to the main pillar post using contextual anchor text (e.g., “see our full list of quick vegan dinners”). Also, link from the pillar post to each subtopic.
This structure not only helps with SEO but also improves the user journey.
Real Examples on Boring Magazine
On our blog, we applied keyword clustering to a topic in our measurement niche, specifically, the keyword “7 inches.” Rather than writing a single, standalone post targeting just one search term, we clustered related queries such as “how big is 7 inches” and “how long is 7 inches.”
Our pillar post answered the primary question while also linking out to secondary content that offered real-world size comparisons, visual guides, and everyday objects matching the length. This content structure helped improve our ranking across multiple variations of the keyword, boosted session duration, and enhanced topic relevance.
By focusing on user intent and answering related questions in grouped articles, the strategy helped us build stronger topical authority in a competitive keyword space.
Tools That Can Help You Cluster Keywords
- Keyword Cupid – Automatically clusters keywords based on SERP similarity
- LowFruits.io – Highlights low-competition opportunities and suggests clusters
- Ubersuggest – Good for manual clustering using the keyword ideas feature
- Google Sheets – Our go-to tool for organizing and grouping keywords
We still use spreadsheets to manually review, cluster, and plan content.
Bonus Tips for Beginners
- Don’t Over-Cluster: 3–5 posts per cluster is plenty to start
- Keep It Logical: Group keywords that genuinely belong together
- Prioritize Search Intent: Focus less on volume, more on what the searcher wants
- Update Pillar Posts: As you write more supporting content, keep your pillar updated
- Track Performance: Use Google Search Console to see how each cluster performs
Final Thoughts
Keyword clustering is one of the smartest ways to build a blog that grows with purpose. It helps you publish content that’s not only valuable but also strategically aligned for SEO.
We saw measurable improvements in rankings and engagement when we started using clusters to plan our content calendar. For beginners, it’s an efficient way to maximize your time and results.
Start with one topic cluster. Build a solid pillar post. Add supporting articles. Interlink everything.
That’s the kind of structure search engines love, and your readers will too.