I have previously listed several online dictionaries that define any word you specify. That’s so-to-say the direct process: you give a word and its definition (explanation) is returned. Now, imagine we go in the opposite direction: you give (several) word(s) and all the terms that can be defined using the words you give are returned.
This is how reverse dictionaries work: they list the terms which definitions contain the specified word(s). Now, the benefit for the keyword research is quite clear: this is another (alternative) way to broaden the scope of your core terms by researching related words and phrases.
Here are two completely free online reverse dictionaries:
OneLook Reverse Dictionary
Onelook reverse dictionary returns the list of related terms, each word linked to its definition:
Sample search: [obesity]
Reference.com Reverse Dictionary
Reference.com reverse dictionary clusters related terms into groups by their meaning and gives the actual definition for each cluster:
Sample search: [obesity]
Any more reverse dictionaries you are aware of?
Hi Ann – thanks for sharing this information on using reverse dictionaries for keyword research. Very useful, particularly for anyone involved in writing content for the web.
I think we can use this tool for the keyword research in addition with Google Keyword tool, Word tracker to enhance our keyword selection. We use this technique while we use broad keyword match in Google Adwords and get the effective negative keywords too.
Good idea, thanks. Here is another reverse dictionary that I bookmarked at some point:
http://new.wordsmyth.net/?mode=rs
Hey, that’s a very smart way to find keywords thank you!
Great keyword research strategy Ann.
Wow! Thanks Ann for sharing this great technique. I’m definitely going to be using this.
I just used it for the first time today. Thanks!
Thanks a lot its very useful tool .
http://www.islamonline.net
This is a good technique. You don’t have to run for competitive keywords.
This isi really an amazing tool,thanks a lot for sharing with us.Really a nice post.
That is very clever indeed!
I usually used the old 100result & a tilda (~) before the search and see which term G bolds. e.g. http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=~flights&num=100 look at the terms highlighted in bold.
This reverse dictionary is another great (possibly better) way for finding semantically related words to sprinkle through your content. Thanks for this lady.
How clever! Great suggestion.