India is unique when it comes to SEO. With 22 official languages, 100+ major cities, and millions of bilingual users, keyword research here requires more than just Google Keyword Planner. Whether you’re building a boutique store on Shopify, selling insurance online, or running a blog, mastering India-specific keyword research will give you a competitive edge.
Step 1: Start with Multi-Language Keywords
- Why it matters: Most Indian users search in Hinglish (English + Hindi), while others use pure Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, or regional languages.
- Example:
- English → “best health insurance India”
- Hinglish → “health insurance ka best plan”
- Hindi → “भारत में हेल्थ इंश्योरेंस”
- Tools to Use:
- Google Keyword Planner (with Hindi/Tamil filters).
- SEMrush & Ahrefs (set region = India).
- Free tool: Ubersuggest India (multi-language results).
Pro Tip: Always collect synonyms in English + Hinglish + local script — competition is lowest in regional language keywords.
Step 2: Add City-Based Keywords
Indian buyers are city-conscious. A Delhi buyer searches differently from a Jaipur buyer.
- Examples:
- “term insurance agents in Mumbai”
- “best mutual fund advisor in Jaipur”
- “SEO company Delhi NCR”
- Why: City-level intent drives local conversions — perfect for service businesses, boutique shops, and financial advisors.
Step 3: Use Long-Tail Templates
Long-tail keywords capture high-intent searches. Here are templates tailored for India:
| Template | Example (English) | Example (Hinglish/Regional) |
|---|---|---|
| Best + Product + in + City | Best saree boutique in Jaipur | Jaipur me best saree shop |
| Product + under + Price | Best laptop under 50,000 | ₹50,000 ke niche best laptop |
| How to + Action + in + City | How to apply PAN card in Delhi | Delhi me PAN card kaise banaye |
| Product + for + Occasion | Best insurance plan for weddings | Shaadi ke liye best insurance plan |
These templates + city names + Hinglish versions generate hundreds of SEO-ready keywords.
Step 4: Free & Paid Keyword Tools for India
- Google Keyword Planner → Free, with Hindi filters.
- SEMrush India → Paid, best for volume + competition.
- Ahrefs → Deep link and SERP analysis.
- AnswerThePublic → Questions Indians ask.
- KeywordTool.io (Hindi/Bengali add-ons) → Long-tail in local scripts.
Final Checklist
- Always check English + Hinglish + Regional script.
- Add city + state modifiers for India.
- Use long-tail templates for high-intent keywords.
- Validate with at least 2 keyword tools.
Do Smarter SEO for India
Start your keyword research with SEMrush India or Ahrefs, and combine with free eBharat Tools to grow your traffic.
