LSI Keywords vs Semantic SEO: What Beginners Need to Know (2025)

Published: 3 Jul 2025

If you’ve ever researched SEO, you’ve likely come across the term “LSI keywords.” Many blogs and tools still mention them — but are they real? And how do they relate to semantic SEO, which is the modern approach?

Spoiler: Google doesn’t use the term “LSI keywords” at all.

In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll break down what LSI keywords actually mean (and why they’re misunderstood), what semantic SEO really is in 2025, and how to apply these concepts to improve your rankings — without keyword stuffing.

What Are LSI Keywords? (And Why Google Doesn’t Use Them)

The term LSI stands for Latent Semantic Indexing, a concept developed in the late 1980s as a way to improve information retrieval using word relationships.

LSI Vs semantic seo graphics

In the context of SEO, people use “LSI keywords” to mean:

“Words and phrases that are closely related to the main keyword.”

Examples:
If your focus keyword is “email marketing”, LSI-style terms might include:

  • Email automation
  • Subscriber list
  • Campaign open rates
  • MailChimp

But here’s the issue: Google doesn’t use LSI technology in its ranking systems. In fact, Google’s own John Mueller has repeatedly said that LSI keywords are an SEO myth.

Google’s Position on LSI Keywords

“There’s no such thing as LSI keywords — anyone who’s telling you otherwise is wrong.”
— John Mueller, Google Search Advocate

So why is the term still popular? Because it points to something real — the importance of using contextually relevant, semantically related terms in your content. That’s where semantic SEO comes in.

What Is Semantic SEO?

Semantic SEO is the practice of optimizing content around meaning, context, and user intent, rather than simply matching exact keywords.

Search engines in 2025 — especially Google — are built on advanced natural language processing (NLP), machine learning, and entity recognition. That means they understand:

✅ Example:
If your article is about “best email marketing tools”, semantic SEO means you don’t just mention that phrase — you also include relevant concepts like:
Automation workflows
Pricing tiers
Tool comparisons (e.g., ConvertKit vs Mailchimp)
Use cases for e-commerce or bloggers

The more complete and contextually rich your content is, the more Google sees you as an authority.

LSI Keywords vs Semantic SEO: Key Differences

To clear up the confusion, here’s a side-by-side comparison:

a balancing machine over a hand showing comparison
FeatureLSI Keywords (Myth)Semantic SEO (Modern Practice)
Based on outdated tech?✅ Yes (1980s method)❌ No — uses modern NLP & AI
Used by Google?❌ No✅ Yes
Keyword matching styleSynonyms or related words onlyTopical completeness + intent + relevance
Helpful for SEO in 2025?❌ Not directly✅ Absolutely
Supported by Google docs?❌ No official guidance✅ Yes, through entity understanding & structured data
In short:
Don’t chase "LSI keywords." Focus on building content that deeply answers your audience’s search intent using related terms, concepts, and entities.

💡 If you’ve already written content using outdated LSI keyword stuffing, consider updating it with a semantic SEO approach. Start by reviewing your structure using our SEO blog post formatting guide.

How to Use Semantic SEO in Your Content (Step-by-Step)

Semantic SEO might sound complex, but it’s easy to apply when you understand the goal: Create content that answers the full intent behind a search.

Here’s how to do it — even as a beginner:

Step 1: Start with a Core Topic, Not Just a Keyword

Instead of just targeting “email marketing tools”, think of the broader topic:

  • Why do people search for tools
  • What problems do they want to solve
  • What features are they comparing

Use tools like:

  • Google’s “People Also Ask”
  • Related Searches (at the bottom of SERPs)
  • AnswerThePublic
  • Semrush Keyword Magic Tool

These help you identify related questions and concepts that Google associates with your topic.

Step 2: Use Entity-Based Terms

Entities are people, places, tools, concepts — and Google understands them well.

💡 Example for “email marketing”:
Include terms like:

  • Mailchimp, ConvertKit, Drip
  • Automation workflows
  • Subscriber segmentation
  • A/B testing
  • Open rate, CTR

You don’t need to mention them all — just the ones that naturally support your topic.

Step 3: Optimize with Topic Clusters

Use internal links to build a cluster of related content.
For example, if you have a guide on semantic SEO, link it to:

This builds topical authority — a key factor in modern search.

Step 4: Add Structured Content Blocks

Google favors content that’s well-structured and scannable.
Include:

  • Subheadings (H2/H3) with question-based phrases
  • Bullet points, tables, and FAQs
  • Alt text with semantic relevance for images

Step 5: Use Tools to Check Coverage

Use tools like:

  • Surfer SEO or Clearscope: Analyze competitor pages and suggest semantically related keywords
  • Frase.io: Helps structure content around search intent and related queries
  • Google NLP API: Free tool to check what entities your content includes

Benefits of Semantic SEO in 2025

Why should you invest in semantic SEO? Here are the real-world advantages:

graphical presentation of benefits

✅ Better rankings for multiple keywords
You rank for not just one phrase but a cluster of semantically related terms.

✅ Improved user satisfaction and engagement
You answer real questions in a natural flow — reducing bounce rates and increasing time-on-page.

✅ Increased snippet and PAA visibility
Answer-based content = better chance to show in “People Also Ask” or rich results.

✅ Higher authority in your niche
Semantic content shows expertise, depth, and topical coverage, all of which Google rewards under EEAT.

Common Myths About LSI Keywords

Even in 2025, the internet is full of outdated SEO advice. Let’s clear up the confusion.

elements showing myths as graphics

❌ Myth 1: Google Uses LSI to Rank Content

Google has explicitly denied using Latent Semantic Indexing in its ranking algorithms. The concept is from the 1980s — long before Google existed.

“There’s no such thing as LSI keywords — anyone who’s telling you otherwise is wrong.”
— John Mueller, Google Search Advocate

❌ Myth 2: More LSI Keywords = Better Rankings

Stuffing your content with variations of the same keyword hurts readability and may trigger spam signals. Focus on contextual completeness, not repetition.

❌ Myth 3: LSI Tools Are Necessary

Some tools market “LSI keyword generators” — but what they really show are related or co-occurring terms, not anything based on true LSI.

✅ Instead, use tools that focus on semantic relevance and topic modeling, like Clearscope, Surfer SEO, or Google’s NLP tools.

Conclusion: Ditch LSI, Embrace Context

If you’re still chasing “LSI keywords,” it’s time to move on.

In 2025, semantic SEO is the foundation of search optimization.
It’s not about adding more keywords — it’s about creating content that:

  • Understands user intent
  • Covers the entire topic
  • Builds topical authority

Whether you’re writing blog posts, product pages, or pillar content, structure your content around meaning, not just words.

By using semantic SEO correctly, you’re not just optimizing for Google — you’re building a better experience for your readers.

FAQs

1. Are LSI keywords still useful for SEO in 2025?

No. LSI keywords are outdated. Focus on semantic relevance and context — that’s what Google rewards now.

2. What’s the difference between LSI keywords and semantic SEO?

LSI is an old indexing method. Semantic SEO is a modern approach that uses context, user intent, and entity relationships to improve rankings.

3. How can I implement semantic SEO without tools?

Use Google’s related searches, “People Also Ask,” and competitor content to identify related terms and questions. Structure your post to answer them clearly.

4. Does Google penalize LSI keyword usage?

Not directly — but keyword stuffing or relying on irrelevant variations can lower your content quality score and harm rankings.

5. What tools help with semantic SEO?

Tools like Frase, Surfer SEO, Clearscope, and Google NLP API help analyze entity coverage and content depth.

Stephen Hook Avatar
Stephen Hook
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