ONE FOCUSED ACTION

Conduct separate, locale-specific keyword research before translation.

Multilingual SEO

1 checklist items

Save for later 0

Use × to move an item here. You can restore it when you’re ready.

    Your checks and saved items stay in this browser. Nothing is submitted.

    Why this matters

    Directly translating source keywords often misses local search intent and user behavior.

    A STARTING-POINT EXAMPLE

    Hypothetical standard operating procedure

    Adapt this example to your site, access, tools, and change process. It is our suggested procedure, informed by the sources below.

    1. Use local keyword research tools and native language input for each target market.
    2. Analyze search intent differences and phrase variations per locale.
    3. Compile a keyword map tailored for each localized page.
    4. Provide keyword data to translators and SEO editors as part of localization briefs.
    5. Regularly update keyword targeting based on local performance data.

    Watch for

    Using translated keywords without local research can lead to low ranking and engagement.

    Definition of done

    Each language version targets unique keywords based on native speakers' search behavior and volumes.

    Sources & attribution

    1. Multilingual SEO checklist ↗
    2. Multilingual SEO Best Practices ↗

    Original checklist wording and example SOP by Best SEO Checklist, using source-grounded AI assistance. Editorial contact: Ted Kubaitis, @tedkubaitis on Teams. Check current source guidance before implementation.