SEO
Recipe SEO Keyword Strategy
How Meridian structures keyword research for recipe content to capture high-intent traffic and featured snippets.
1. Primary vs. Secondary Keywords
Every recipe targets one primary keyword (e.g. “gluten-free banana bread”) and two to four secondary long-tail variants (“easy gluten-free banana bread recipe,” “moist almond flour banana bread”). Meridian clusters these using search volume data and ranks by commercial intent.
2. Intent Mapping
Keywords are classified as informational (“how to make sourdough”), commercial (“best stand mixer for bread”), or transactional (“buy sourdough starter kit”). Recipe pages target informational intent with structured data that Google can parse for rich results.
3. SERP Feature Targeting
Meridian optimizes for recipe carousels, featured snippets, and “People Also Ask” boxes by structuring content with clear H2/H3 headings, bulleted ingredient lists, and concise step-by-step instructions under 300 words per step.
4. Keyword Cannibalization Prevention
Meridian audits existing content to ensure no two pages compete for the same keyword. When overlap is detected, pages are consolidated or differentiated with distinct modifiers (“vegan,” “instant pot,” “keto”).
5. Seasonal & Trend Windows
Keyword calendars align recipe publishing with seasonal peaks—pumpkin recipes in September, grilling content in May. Meridian monitors Google Trends and adjusts publishing schedules to capture rising queries before competition peaks.