The Keyword Research Checklist gives you a step-by-step review process for building a usable semantic set. It is designed for teams that need to move from raw keyword exports to clean, intent-tagged clusters.
What is inside
The checklist covers seed collection, expansion methods, cleaning rules, intent tagging and priority. It also helps separate service, guide, template, tool and comparison intent before keywords are mapped to pages.
How to use it
Work through the checklist before briefing pages or creating a keyword map. Remove irrelevant terms early and flag ambiguous queries for manual review instead of forcing them into a cluster.
How to work through the checklist
Use the checklist as a verification pass, not as a scorecard that forces every item into a yes-or-no conclusion. Check an item only when you have enough evidence to support it. If a point is unclear, record the page, pattern, or example that needs a closer look. That keeps the review tied to observable evidence instead of assumptions.
Turn the review into actions
After the first pass, group related findings by their underlying cause. A repeated issue is usually easier to manage as one work task than as dozens of separate notes. Add an owner, the expected outcome, and any dependency that must be resolved first. Recheck sample examples after changes are made so the checklist remains a QA tool, not just a completed form.
Practical handoff check
Before the file is treated as finished, read it once from the perspective of the person who will use it next. Remove stale placeholders, keep unresolved questions visible, and make sure the main evidence and next action are easy to find. A completed template should show what was checked without implying that open items were already verified.
Download the template and adapt it to your project.