Sales

HVAC SEO Keyword Research Ideas + Topic Generators

date posted

07/24/24

read time

5 Mins

A man in a navy t-shirt and baseball cap sits outdoors against a teal industrial structure, engrossed in SEO keyword research on his laptop. The setting exudes a gritty, industrial atmosphere, with the hum of HVAC machinery in the background.

For many HVAC businesses, understanding what potential customers are searching for online is crucial. Whether you’re a business owner or a digital marketer, grasping the concepts of keyword research can give you a significant edge. Let’s break down some key tools and strategies.

Research Ideas + Topic Generators

Tool #1: Answer The Public

One of the coolest tools for keyword discovery is “Answer The Public.” If you haven’t checked it out yet, you’re in for a treat. Here’s a quick demo:

  1. Go to Answer The Public: Navigate to Answer The Public.
  2. Enter a keyword: For this example, let’s use “AC unit repair.”
  3. Press search: The tool will generate a plethora of questions related to your topic.

For instance, “How much does AC unit repair cost?” might get 1600 searches monthly. It also provides a visually appealing circle graph to display this data, making it straightforward to understand.

Pro Tip: If you end up using this tool frequently, consider the paid version for unlimited searches and advanced features.

Tool #2: Google Trends

Next on our list is Google Trends. This tool is excellent for identifying what’s currently hot in your industry.

  1. Head to Google Trends: Start by visiting Google Trends.
  2. Enter a keyword: Let’s search for “air conditioning.”
  3. Examine the data: You’ll see the interest level over time and related queries.

For example, we might notice a seasonal spike in searches for “air conditioning replacement near me” during the summer months. By looking at this data, you can shape your content and SEO strategy accordingly.

Understanding Searcher Intent

Before diving deeper into more tools, let’s quickly touch on an essential aspect of keyword research: searcher intent. It’s crucial to understand whether the searcher is looking for information, trying to diagnose a problem, or ready to make a purchase. Once you grasp the intent, tailor your content to match it.

Tool #3: Ahrefs (or Ahrefs.com)

Ahrefs is another powerhouse for keyword research, particularly for competitive analysis.

  1. Visit Ahrefs: Start by visiting Ahrefs.
  2. Perform a site explorer search: Try entering a competitor’s website, like Bueller Air and Plumbing.
  3. Analyze the keywords: Look for keywords your competitors are ranking for.

You might find that “heat pump replacement” has 2200 searches, making it a prime target. Ahrefs also allows you to sort keywords by difficulty and search volume, helping you choose the most achievable targets.

Tool #4: People Also Ask

Google’s People Also Ask feature is a simple yet effective tool:

Banner Text: "Complimentary Website Audit: Unlock Your Winning Strategy"  
Bold Text: "Claim Yours Now"  
Note with Arrow: "Exclusively for Home Service Companies"  

Background: Dark with a subtle pattern.
  1. Search on Google: Type a keyword like “heat pump” into Google.
  2. Look at People Also Ask: These questions often come up right after the first few search results.

Questions like “Is a heat pump better than an AC?” can inspire new content ideas, directly addressing common queries.

Tool #5: Google Autocomplete

Google Autocomplete offers another easy method for finding keywords:

  1. Type into the Google search bar: Start typing a keyword like “AC repair near” and observe the suggestions.
  2. See the completions: These auto-suggestions indicate commonly searched phrases.

Examples include “AC repair near St. Paul, Minnesota” or “heat pump cost”. Both represent opportunities to create targeted content.

Tool #6: Sales Questions and Objections

Your sales team’s frequently asked questions can be goldmines for content. Weekly sales meetings can reveal common objections and questions that potential customers have.

Example Question: “Why is your service more expensive than your competitor?”

Turn this into content:

  • Blog post: “DIY vs. Professional HVAC Installation: Pros and Cons”
  • Video: A sincere explainer addressing customer concerns about cost.

“I understand it might be tempting to go with a cheaper quote, but we often find ourselves fixing mistakes made by less experienced technicians.” – Tim Brown

Tool #7: Google Keyword Planner

Finally, the classic Google Keyword Planner is a must-have:

  1. Access Google Keyword Planner: You’ll need a Google Ads account.
  2. Discover new keywords: Enter a term like “heat pump repair”.
  3. Review results: Get a list of related keywords along with average search volumes.

Terms like “heat pump servicing” might not immediately come to mind, but they have decent monthly search volumes.

In summary, here’s how to find HVAC SEO keywords and generate valuable content ideas:

  1. Answer The Public – For question-based keyword ideas.
  2. Google Trends – To track search trends and related queries.
  3. Ahrefs – For competitive analysis and keyword difficulty insights.
  4. People Also Ask – To find common questions searchers have.
  5. Google Autocomplete – To discover frequently searched phrases.
  6. Sales Questions – Leveraging FAQ from your sales team.
  7. Google Keyword Planner – Classic tool for keyword discovery.

Always create content that matches the searcher’s intent. High-intent keywords should lead to sales pages, while research-phase keywords can be addressed in blog posts to build topical authority.

By utilizing a mix of these tools and strategies, your HVAC business can dominate local search results and effectively reach potential customers at various stages of their buying journey.


“The more quality content related to what you sell, the more likely Google will show your website for those related searches.” – Tim Brown

Happy keyword hunting, and stay tuned for more insights. Catch you next post!

Social Media for Contractors Course + Daily Prompts

We spent 3 months putting this together just for contractors – and it’s totally free!

🔥 5 preparation days with key mindset things before you start posting.

🎥 10 original videos

📝 6 weeks of social media daily prompts

Is there you or someone on your team that would like to take it? Enter their info (or yours) below!

A skydiver dressed in a black jumpsuit descends against a clear blue sky, with distant mountains and a body of water framing the scene. The YouTube Originals logo is positioned at the bottom right.

Ready to take the leap?

“We know what it takes to help get home service businesses more leads with Google. Even if we’re not the right fit, we’ll get you where you need to go.”

A woman with long, wavy brown hair stands confidently in front of a black brick wall, embodying Tim Brown's iconic urban style. She wears a black top and accessorizes with a heart pendant gold necklace.
- Sydnee Olsen, Sales Lead
Schedule Intro Call Schedule a Free 20-Minute Consultation (No Obligation)