Why research before writing
Writing first and thinking about SEO afterward usually means rework. Finding out what term people actually search for, before you start writing, helps you structure the article around demand that already exists.
Start from the reader's question
Instead of thinking of an isolated word, think of the question someone is trying to answer. 'How to remove duplicate lines' tends to reflect real search behavior better than just 'duplicate lines'.
Watch the search suggestions
The autocomplete suggestions any search engine shows as you type are a free source of real variations people search for around a topic.
Consider the intent behind the term
A term can carry learning intent ('what is'), comparison intent ('X vs Y'), or immediate-action intent ('how to'). Writing for the wrong intent is one of the most common reasons a well-written article still underperforms.
The right keyword isn't the most searched one — it's the one that matches search volume with the intent your content actually satisfies.
Favor specific terms early on
Very broad terms are contested by large, established sites. More specific terms, even with lower search volume, tend to be more attainable for a newer site.
Use the keyword naturally
Once you've picked a term, it should show up in the title, the intro and at least one subheading — always naturally, never forced.
Measure and adjust after publishing
Keyword selection doesn't end at publish. Tracking which terms actually bring in visits over time helps refine the strategy for future pieces.