Intermediate
How to create keyword clusters with intent on Semrush
Quick Answer
Create keyword clusters with intent on Semrush by using the Keyword Magic Tool to generate keywords, then apply the clustering feature to group related terms. Use the intent filters to categorize keywords by informational, navigational, commercial, and transactional intent.
Prerequisites
- Active Semrush subscription
- Basic knowledge of keyword research
- Understanding of search intent types
- Website or domain to analyze
1
Access the Keyword Magic Tool
Log into your Semrush account and navigate to Keyword Research > Keyword Magic Tool. Enter your seed keyword in the search bar and select your target location and language. Click Search to generate your keyword list.
Tip
Start with broad seed keywords to capture a wider range of related terms for clustering
2
Enable clustering view
In the Keyword Magic Tool results, locate the Group Keywords toggle button at the top right of the keyword table. Click to enable clustering mode. This will automatically group related keywords based on semantic similarity and SERP overlap.
3
Apply intent filters
Use the Intent filter in the left sidebar to categorize keywords by search intent. Select from Informational, Navigational, Commercial, and Transactional intent types. You can select multiple intent types to compare clusters across different user motivations.
Tip
Focus on one intent type at a time to create more targeted clusters for your content strategy
4
Analyze cluster metrics
Review each cluster's key metrics including total Search Volume, Keyword Difficulty, and Cost Per Click. Click on any cluster to expand and see individual keywords. Use the Sort by dropdown to organize clusters by volume, difficulty, or number of keywords.
Tip
Look for clusters with high volume but lower difficulty for quick wins
5
Refine clusters manually
Click the pencil icon next to any cluster name to rename it. Use the checkbox next to keywords to manually move them between clusters or remove irrelevant terms. Click Create new cluster to manually group selected keywords.
Tip
Manual refinement helps align clusters with your specific content strategy and business goals
6
Export cluster data
Select the clusters you want to export using the checkboxes. Click the Export button and choose Export selected clusters. Select your preferred format (.xlsx, .csv) and click Download to save your keyword clusters with intent data.
7
Create content briefs from clusters
Navigate to Content Marketing > SEO Content Template. Enter the primary keyword from your cluster and add related cluster keywords in the additional keywords field. Generate recommendations for content optimization based on your intent-focused keyword clusters.
Tip
Use one cluster per content piece to maintain topical relevance and search intent alignment
Troubleshooting
Clusters contain irrelevant keywords
Use more specific seed keywords or apply additional filters like Include keywords and Exclude keywords to refine results before clustering.
No intent data showing for keywords
Ensure you're using the latest version of Semrush and that your keywords have sufficient search volume. Intent data is primarily available for higher-volume keywords.
Clusters are too large or too small
Adjust the clustering sensitivity by using the Broad match or Exact match options to control cluster size and keyword grouping.
Export file doesn't include intent data
Make sure to select All columns in the export options and verify that intent filters were applied before exporting your cluster data.
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