> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.rankability.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.rankability.com/researcher/discover-keywords.md).

# Discover keywords

Use AI-powered keyword discovery to generate hundreds of keyword ideas from a single seed topic, with automatic clustering and scoring.

Start with a real client, a focused topic, and the target country. Choose **Discover** from Research, enter one seed topic, and review the displayed usage impact before starting. Rankability saves longer-running work under recent or saved research.

## How Discover keywords works

The Discover keywords mode uses AI to expand a seed keyword into a comprehensive list of related queries. It generates seed variations, expands them using search data providers, filters for relevance, and clusters similar keywords together.

## Running a discovery

1. Select **Discover**.
2. Enter a seed keyword (e.g., “project management software”).
3. Confirm the country, which Rankability fills in from the client's location or domain, and add a city or region when the market requires it.
4. Start the research using the action shown in the current interface.

The system will generate seed variations using AI, query search data providers for each variation, filter out irrelevant results, and return a scored, clustered list.

Research runs in the background. You can leave the page and return through recent research when the job completes. Do not submit the same topic again merely because the browser was closed.

## Reading your results

Each keyword in the results table shows:

* **Keyword** — The search query.
* **Search volume** — Estimated monthly searches.
* **Difficulty** — How hard it is to rank (0–100).
* **CPC** — Average cost per click, indicating commercial value.
* **Intent** — Informational, navigational, commercial, or transactional.
* **KO Score** — Overall keyword value score.
* **Opportunity Score** — Balance of volume, difficulty, and intent.

The scores and metrics are decision aids, not forecasts. Provider coverage varies by topic and country, and clustering groups similar opportunities without deciding which page your site should publish. Review each saved keyword for business relevance and search intent.

## Tips for better results

* Use specific seed keywords rather than single words. “Email marketing for ecommerce” will return more targeted results than just “email.”
* Sort by Opportunity Score to quickly find keywords that are both valuable and achievable.
* Use the cluster view to group related keywords and plan content around topic clusters.

## Turn discovery into a workflow

1. Remove irrelevant terms and inspect unexpected clusters.
2. Select keywords that serve one clear client goal.
3. Save them to a named list so they remain available after you leave the result.
4. Choose a primary query for a Copywriter project or send the appropriate terms to Track.
5. Preserve separate lists when keywords target different countries, funnels, or content types.

## Common issues

* **The result is too broad** — Use a more specific seed that includes the audience, problem, product type, or use case.
* **The result is too small** — Confirm the country and try a broader seed, but do not merge unrelated intent merely to increase the count.
* **Research is still running** — Check recent research for its current status. Avoid duplicate submissions.
* **A source-specific mode is missing** — Use the modes currently available in the interface; availability can vary by supported workflow.
* **Saved keywords disappear from the view** — Check whether **Hide saved** is active, then open [keyword lists](/researcher/managing-keyword-lists.md).

## Related articles

* [Getting started with Researcher](/researcher/getting-started-with-researcher.md) — Overview of all research modes and scores.
* [Managing keyword lists](/researcher/managing-keyword-lists.md) — Save and organize your discovered keywords.
* [Creating a content project](/copywriter/creating-a-content-project.md) — Turn a qualified topic into a brief or draft.