Reaching an English-speaking audience is a huge growth opportunity for Greek businesses — but simply translating your Greek keywords into English isn’t enough. Cultural differences, language structure, and regional habits all affect how people search. To compete in English-speaking markets like the UK, US, or Australia, your keyword research strategy needs to adapt.

This guide explains how to choose the right keywords for English-language SEO — with tools, examples, and regional nuance in mind.

1. Understand Search Intent in English

Start by asking: what is your audience really trying to find? English-language users often use very direct or benefit-driven search terms. For example:

• “holiday rental Santorini” (UK)
• “vacation homes Greece” (US)
• “Greek island travel guide” (global)

Notice the difference in phrasing — even between the UK and US — and how users tend to search with specific goals in mind.

2. Don't Rely on Literal Translations

A common mistake is translating Greek keywords directly into English. While this seems logical, it usually misses the mark. What sounds natural in Greek might be awkward or irrelevant in English searches.

Example: The Greek term “φθηνά ξενοδοχεία Αθήνα” might translate to “cheap hotels Athens,” but UK users more often search for “budget hotels in Athens.”

“Choosing the right keywords in English means understanding how your audience thinks — not just how they speak.”

3. Use the Right Keyword Tools

Keyword research tools can help you discover what people are actually searching for — and where. Some trusted tools include:

• Google Keyword Planner (free with a Google Ads account)
• Ubersuggest
• Ahrefs
• SEMrush
• AnswerThePublic

Make sure to set your target country or language in the tool to get accurate results.

4. Focus on Localised Variations

Different English-speaking countries use different spellings, phrases, and terminology. If you’re targeting the UK, your keywords should reflect British English — not American English.

Examples:

• “trainers” (UK) vs “sneakers” (US)
• “holiday” (UK) vs “vacation” (US)
• “centre” (UK) vs “center” (US)

Being regionally correct improves your SEO — and helps your content feel more familiar to readers.

5. Look at Competitor Pages

A simple but powerful tactic: see what your top competitors are ranking for. Search in Google using English-language terms relevant to your industry and see:

• What words and phrases appear in their page titles and headings?
• How do they structure their content?
• What types of questions are they answering?

This gives you a real-world snapshot of what already works.

6. Use Long-Tail Keywords for Better Focus

Short keywords like “SEO” or “marketing” are too broad and competitive. Instead, aim for long-tail keywords — specific phrases that are easier to rank for and match real user intent.

Example: Instead of “digital marketing,” use “digital marketing agency in Greece for UK market.”

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right keywords for English-language SEO is about more than language — it’s about mindset. Your English-speaking audience may think differently, search differently, and use terms that don’t appear in translation tools. But with a clear strategy, the right tools, and localised insight, you can find and target the terms that bring you real results.

At Digital Pulse Athens, we help Greek businesses choose keywords that work in real markets — not just on paper. Whether you're targeting the UK, US, or beyond, we can help you build a search strategy that connects.