What is keyword research?

Keyword research is the process of identifying the exact words and phrases (keywords) that your target audience uses when searching for information, products, or services related to your business. This understanding allows you to optimize your content to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs), driving relevant organic traffic to your website. "Creating a list of industry buzzwords" is incorrect because keyword research focuses on user search behavior, not just industry jargon. "Inventing new words" is incorrect as it doesn't reflect how users search. "Counting how many times a specific word appears" is incorrect; while keyword density is a factor, it's not the definition of keyword research itself, which is about discovery and understanding user intent.