Why Trying to Rank for “House” Is a Silly SEO Strategy (And What to Do Instead)

If you’ve ever told your marketing team, “I want to rank #1 for [insert generic word here],” this post is for you.

At EduCyber, we love ambitious clients. But when a business owner says, “I want to rank for ‘house’,” we pause. Not because it’s impossible. But because it’s… well, kind of silly.

Here’s why:

The Problem with “Big” Keywords  

A keyword like “house” may seem ideal for a realtor, but it brings in all kinds of unrelated traffic:

• • “How to build a house”

• • “Haunted house attractions near me”

• • “White House tour schedule”

• • “Best house music playlists”

You might get thousands of visitors. But if they’re not in your area and not looking to buy or sell a home, what’s the point?

Google is smart. It ranks based on user intent, not just the word.

6 More Silly Keyword Traps (That Seem Smart… Until Ther Aren’t) 

1. “Tools” – The Hardware Store Trap

You’ll compete with:

• • Software tools

• • Educational tools

• • Financial tools

• • Makeup tools (yes, really)

👉  Instead: Use “buy power tools Arvada” or “best cordless drill Lakewood.”

2. “Consulting” – The Business Advisor’s Black Hole

Everyone from IT pros to relationship coaches uses this term.

👉  Instead: Try “startup business consultant Denver” or “nonprofit strategy coach Colorado.”

3. “Camera” – The Photographer’s Misdirection

You’ll attract tech reviews, repair guides, and surveillance shoppers.

👉 Instead: Use “outdoor maternity photographer Golden” or “Denver engagement photo sessions.”

4. “Healthy” – The Café Owner’s Keyword Kale Salad

Healthy what? Snacks? Lungs? Dogs?

👉 Instead: Target “healthy lunch Wheat Ridge” or “organic smoothie bar Lakewood.”

5. “Shop” – The Retailer’s Overcrowded Keyword

Could be Shopify, auto shops, coffee shops… or “how to shop online safely.”

👉 Instead: “local boutique Denver boho fashion” works a whole lot better.

6. “Marketing” – Yes, even us!

We don’t just rank for “marketing.” That’s a whole universe. We focus on keywords like:

• • “SEO agency Arvada”

• • “Email marketing Colorado small businesses”

• • “Web design Golden CO”

✅What To Do Instead: Be Specific, Relevant, Local

Good SEO isn’t about attracting everyone—it’s about attracting the right ones.

At EduCyber, our SEO strategy focuses on:

• • Understanding your audience’s intent

• • Using keyword research to guide content strategy

• • Targeting specific, relevant terms that bring results

• • Building trust with Google and your visitors.

Broad keywords can waste your time, budget, and energy. Smart, focused keywords bring leads, calls, sales, and growth.

Final Thought Do You Want Visitors or Customer

If you’re chasing high traffic just to see bigger numbers in your analytics dashboard, those generic keywords might help.

But if you want to grow your business with real customers, it’s time to get strategic.