If you are using the same keyword search tools and techniques as your competitors do, chances are you will all have the same results. And your SEO strategy won’t be able to stand out. Presenting unique products and services in front of potential clients is what many businesses do and fight for. SEO is no different. This article will explain a few tips on how to employ unconventional keyword research methods to differentiate your hotel or travel company from other sector players.
12 Steps Explaining Creativity in Keyword Search
Finding the best keywords doesn’t come from googling the best free keyword research tool. There are no academic guides for keyword searching either. While tools like Google keyword planner, Wordstream free keyword tool, or Moz keyword explorer can help you gauge your findings, you shouldn’t solely rely on them.
1- Utilizing image search to find popular travel destinations
If you struggle to find the right topic and inspiration, head over to Google and start searching for travel images of popular travel destinations. You will get a bunch of images and descriptions that will help you figure out what people are sharing or what other bloggers have already published. Hover over the images, and if you need to explore further, open the link. You know, sometimes you don’t need to invent the wheel, but creating a version of the existing wheel will help your audience. That’s the power of alternatives.
2- Using Pinterest boards to identify trending travel keywords
Pinterest is not just a social media platform but also a powerful tool for market research. It is a visual search engine. Digital marketers create Pinterest boards based on what their audience is interested in seeing. If you analyze the content and keywords used on Pinterest, you can come up with insights and trends about consumer preferences and behaviors.
3- Analyzing Instagram hashtags for travel-related terms
Instagram is believed to be the most used social platform for travel bloggers, tourists, hotels, and tour companies. Whatever niche your travel business belongs to, Instagram remains a great source of visual inspiration in the travel industry. If you are in luxury travel marketing, for instance, you will understand the types of content people follow, like, and comment on.

Check what the captions say and gauge if they can match your audience’s needs. Captions and hashtags can help you develop travel SEO keywords. If so, you can produce a blog post that will complement the social media posts. The same human being who loved a particular social media post may also enjoy reading a well-written blog post on the same topic.
4- Monitoring travel-related conversations on Twitter
Who said Twitter isn’t a platform for the travel and hospitality sectors? It is true that many travel professionals don’t spend as much time on Twitter as they do on other social media platforms like Instagram. However, it is the best platform for discovering trending topics. Let’s imagine there is an event or topic that aligns with your business and niche, and you are among the first to write a great article about it.

Won’t Google and other search engines reward you for that? Yes, you will be credited as the source of information, and massive visitors will be driven to your website. Travel keyword search is not only about leveraging tools; the human image plays an important role.
5- Identifying popular hashtags on Facebook travel groups
Facebook may not be the most popular social media site now, but it has its own specific advantages. People who use Facebook seem to have a common desire to read a post longer than on Instagram and TikTok. Most Facebook users are 25–34 years old. The same platform accounts for a total of 43.9% of users between the ages of 35 and 65, making it a popular choice among middle-aged adults. The age group is important for the travel sector due to its power and influence on consumer spending and decision-making. As an SEO content marketer, you should keep an eye on what this target group likes and wants.
6- Analyzing comments on travel influencer’s Instagram posts
Travel influencers have become a significant source of inspiration and information for young and middle-aged adults. Influencers usually use both SEO and social media, or a combination of both. As an SEO expert, following and analyzing the comments on influencer Instagram posts and blog articles is not a waste of time. You can gain valuable insights into the preferences and desires of the target group when it comes to travel. This data can then be used to tailor your SEO content marketing strategies. From here, you will be able to gather and filter travel SEO keywords that meet your target market’s desires.
7- Exploring travel forums and Q&A websites for keyword ideas
Keyword search is not a one-way street. Exploring travel forums and Q&A websites for keyword ideas allows you to tap into the conversations and queries of real travelers. These platforms provide a wealth of information on what people are searching for and what questions they have about travel destinations. From what people exchange, you can identify popular topics and keywords that resonate with your target audience. Meaningful keywords for your travel SEO strategy come from meaningful human conversations.
8- Analyzing reviews on travel booking platforms for keyword suggestions
I don’t know any better way of learning what travelers wish and feel than from travel experience reviews. If you analyze reviews on travel booking platforms, you will gain valuable insights into the language and terminology that real travelers use when discussing their experiences. Do you see any keywords and phrases that appear frequently in positive reviews? Try to identify popular aspects of a destination that resonate with travelers and create great content accordingly.

On the other side, negative reviews will help you understand pain points and areas for improvement, allowing you to optimize your SEO strategy. Can you creatively develop content around the negative reviews usually left on those platforms? The goal here would be to address any concerns or issues raised by tourists. Your creativity will position you as a solution provider.
9- Mining comments on travel blogs for travel keyword inspiration
How about the popular travel blogs in your niche? If you haven’t done so, you should be following a few blogs you admire in your travel niche. The goal is to copy and paste their SEO strategy or content style. Contrarily, you will understand why the other blogs perform well and why the strategies or content styles you have been using may not be as effective. Keyword search starts by understanding what people want and like. Comments left by readers provide valuable insights and feedback on the travel content. Keyword search is a game between humans’ real desires and algorithms.
10- Sentiment analysis to identify trending keywords
What are the emotions associated with travel? Sentiment analysis can help identify the emotions associated with travel by analyzing the language used in online discussions, reviews, and social media posts. This analysis can reveal whether people are expressing excitement, joy, frustration, or any other emotions related to their travel experiences. Sentiments in the travel industry don’t lie. Those opinions shared through different digital platforms reveal the true traveler’s desires.

You can adopt a strategic approach to uncovering topics and themes that resonate with your target audience. It is not bad practice to build your travel SEO around the emotions and experiences people are seeking in their travel content.
11- Check what is trending on Google and other search engines.
According to Google, Google Search is a fully automated search engine that uses web crawlers to regularly explore the web, finding pages to add to its index. Most pages listed in the results are not manually submitted but are automatically added when web crawlers explore the web. From this statement, we can clearly understand that Google searches for the information humans provide around the web( that means everywhere) and serves it to us again.

In other words, Google collects data from various sources on the internet and presents it to users in search results. Although it remains the main search engine, you shouldn’t forget that some countries have their own search engines that are popular among their citizens. Check out Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and Baidu as examples. It’s important to keep in mind that search engine preferences can vary depending on cultural and regional factors. As a travel business aiming to reach a global audience, you shouldn’t be limited to your borders.
12- Google predictive search
AI has impacted SEO, hence the keyword search. Google Predictive Search is a feature that suggests search queries as you type, making it easier and faster to find the information you’re looking for.

This predictive search functionality uses algorithms to analyze popular searches and user behavior, providing relevant suggestions based on your initial input. Although you shouldn’t solely rely on it, it helps you save time and discover new topics of interest without having to fully type out your query.
Experiencing authenticity and Travel Keywords
Experiencing authenticity starts with the choice of ravel keywords we use in our content marketing. There is no doubt that AI is part of our professional lives as well as our personal lives. It has revolutionized the way we work, communicate, and even travel. That simply means that AI is here to stay and will continue to shape our future.

However, there are instances where AI may not be the best option for travel experiences. For example, while AI can provide convenient and efficient recommendations for popular tourist destinations, it may fail to capture the essence of unconventional travel experiences that focus on authenticity and exploration. In such cases, relying solely on AI recommendations may lead travelers to miss out on hidden gems and unique cultural experiences that are not widely known or promoted by algorithms.
The Need for Unconventional Travel Keyword Search Methods
A real-life example: Unconventional travel is a form of exploring the world that deviates from traditional tourist routes and experiences. It involves seeking unique and off-the-beaten-path destinations, activities, and accommodations. It enables individuals to create personalized and authentic travel experiences that go beyond the typical tourist attractions, providing a deeper understanding and connection to the places they visit. How does a similar approach work with travel SEO strategies?
Conducting an unconventional keyword search for travel SEO strategies uncovers unique opportunities and niche markets that may not be targeted by the average digital marketer. it takes creativity and boldness to discover innovative ways to optimize travel websites and attract more organic traffic.
FAQS
What is the role of keywords in search engine travel results?
By definition, a travel keyword in search engine results is a specific word or phrase that is used to find information related to travel. Travelers will use these keywords when they need to book flights, hotels, vacation packages, or other travel-related services. Using authentic and relatable travel keywords in their search queries allows your potential clients to quickly and easily find the information they are looking for and make informed decisions about their travel plans.
How do I look up keywords on Google?
Start by using quotation marks to search for exact phrases. This will help narrow down the results and find more specific information. Additionally, make use of the minus sign to exclude certain words from your search. This can help filter out irrelevant information and make your search more focused. Because keywords are crucial for effective searching on Google and influence search results, you need to refine your searches to yield more accurate and relevant results, such as using quotation marks, excluding certain terms, or leveraging advanced search operators.
How do I search for keywords creatively?
It’s important to think outside the box and explore different avenues. One approach is to brainstorm related terms or synonyms that might be used in place of your target keyword. You can utilize online tools or platforms specifically designed for keyword research to discover new and unique keywords that may not have been on your radar before.
Final Thoughts
Wrapping up, the list of 12 Unconventional ways to get proper travel SEO keywords includes using travel industry terminology, slang, and colloquialisms, leveraging user-generated content, and niche travel blogs and forums. You can also consider conducting keyword research based on popular travel hashtags and social media trends. Being real and authentic is key to creating engaging and relatable content for your target audience.