Keyword research for niche sites in 2025 looks different than it did three years ago.

Google's AI Overviews now capture a large chunk of informational traffic. The implication: pure "what is X" posts are lower value. What still works:

1. Comparison posts — "X vs Y" queries rarely get a satisfying AI answer because the answer depends on the reader's specific situation
2. Best-of roundups with genuine criteria (not just regurgitated specs)
3. Long-tail transactional queries: "best X for Y under $Z"
4. Problem-specific queries: "X not working after update"

Focus your editorial calendar on queries where a human with actual experience can say something the AI cannot. That's your competitive moat for the next few years.

Tools worth using: Ahrefs, Keywords Everywhere for quick volume checks, and Reddit/Quora for finding real questions your audience is asking.