Arabic search is growing fast, but ranking in it isn’t as simple as translating English keywords. The language structure, regional variations, and search behavior are very different. If you treat Arabic SEO like a direct translation project, you’ll miss traffic, intent, and real opportunities.
This guide explains how Arabic keyword research actually works and how to build a strategy that brings relevant traffic and conversions.
Why Arabic Keyword Research Is Different
Arabic is not a single, uniform language in search.
Here’s what makes it unique:
- Multiple dialects: Users in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, and Morocco often search differently.
- Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) vs. colloquial: Formal Arabic is used in news and business, but conversational phrases are common in search.
- Right-to-left structure: Affects content formatting and user experience.
- Morphology-based language: Words come from roots, creating many variations of the same keyword.
Example:
“Marketing company” could be searched as:
- شركة تسويق
- شركة تسويق رقمي
- شركة دعاية وإعلان
If you target only one version, you miss a large part of the audience.
Step 1: Understand Your Target Arabic Market
Before finding keywords, define:
- Country: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, etc.
- Audience type: B2B, eCommerce, local services
- Language style: Formal Arabic (MSA) or conversational tone
Search behavior differs by region. For example:
- UAE users mix Arabic and English.
- Saudi users prefer Arabic-heavy queries.
- Egypt has more colloquial searches.
Start with location-specific intent, not just language.
Step 2: Start With Seed Keywords (In Arabic, Not Translated)
Avoid direct translation from English tools.
Instead:
- Write your core services/products.
- Translate them manually into natural Arabic.
- Ask a native speaker or use real Arabic websites to validate usage.
Example:
Instead of translating “SEO services” directly, check:
- خدمات تحسين محركات البحث
- شركة سيو
- خدمات SEO
Users often mix Arabic and English terms.
Step 3: Use the Right Tools for Arabic Keyword Research
These tools work well for Arabic data:
1. Google Keyword Planner
- Set location (UAE, KSA, etc.)
- Filter language to Arabic
2. Google Search Suggestions
Type your keyword in Arabic and note:
- Autocomplete suggestions
- Related searches at the bottom
3. Google Trends
- Compare keyword variations
- Identify regional differences
4. Ahrefs / SEMrush
- Good for competitor analysis
- Check Arabic keyword difficulty and traffic
Tip: Always verify search intent, not just volume.
Step 4: Analyze Search Intent in Arabic
Arabic users search with strong intent signals.
Examples:
| Keyword | Intent |
| أفضل شركة تسويق رقمي | Commercial |
| ما هو التسويق الرقمي | Informational |
| أسعار خدمات السيو | Transactional |
| شركة تسويق في دبي | Local |
Group keywords into:
- Informational (blogs)
- Commercial (service pages)
- Transactional (landing pages)
- Local (city pages)
This structure improves rankings and conversions.
Step 5: Handle Arabic Word Variations and Roots
Arabic words change based on gender, plurality, and structure.
Example for “company”:
- شركة
- شركات
For “design”:
- تصميم
- مصمم
- تصميمات
Always include:
- Singular and plural forms
- Different word orders
- Synonyms
This helps capture a wider search range.
Step 6: Consider Dialects vs. Modern Standard Arabic
Use MSA for main pages because it works across regions.
Use dialect keywords when:
- Targeting a specific country
- Running ads
- Creating social or conversational content
Example (Saudi colloquial):
كم سعر تصميم موقع؟
But for SEO pages:
سعر تصميم موقع إلكتروني
Step 7: Study Arabic Competitors
Search your main keyword in Google (Arabic).
Analyze:
- Top-ranking pages
- Keyword usage in titles and headings
- Content length and structure
- Local targeting (city names)
Tools like Ahrefs help identify:
- Their top keywords
- Traffic-driving pages
- Keyword gaps
This is one of the fastest ways to find opportunities.
Step 8: Build an Arabic Keyword Structure
Organize your keywords like this:
Primary keyword
شركة تسويق رقمي
Secondary keywords
- خدمات تسويق رقمي
- أفضل شركة تسويق
- شركة تسويق في دبي
Long-tail keywords
- تكلفة التسويق الرقمي في الإمارات
- أفضل شركة تسويق للشركات الصغيرة
Use this structure for:
- H1: Primary
- H2/H3: Secondary
- Content: Long-tail naturally
Step 9: Optimize for Mixed Arabic-English Searches
Many users search like this:
- digital marketing شركة
- SEO في دبي
- social media marketing عربي
Include:
- English terms where commonly used
- Arabic explanations around them
This improves visibility in bilingual markets like UAE.
Step 10: Track and Improve Performance
After publishing:
- Monitor rankings in Google Search Console
- Check queries users actually type
- Identify new keyword variations
- Update content regularly
Arabic SEO improves significantly with ongoing optimization.
Common Arabic Keyword Research Mistakes
- Direct English translation without validation
- Ignoring regional differences
- Targeting only high-volume keywords
- Using only formal Arabic when users search conversationally
- Not optimizing for plural and root variations
Avoid these, and your traffic potential increases dramatically.
Final Thoughts
Arabic keyword research is not just about language. It’s about understanding culture, region, and how people actually search.
The winning approach is simple:
- Target the right country
- Use natural Arabic, not translations
- Focus on intent, not just volume
- Include variations and dialect insights
- Continuously track and refine
Businesses that invest in proper Arabic keyword research face less competition and gain access to a fast-growing digital market.
