Pain Point SEO: Finding Solid Topics That Can Drive Revenue

Whenever you craft mid-funnel content, it’s easy to go off track and chase random keywords just to drive more traffic.

That approach might bring in clicks, but not necessarily leads.

By picking pain point terms, you can attract folks who already know they need help.

In this post, I’ll show you how to pinpoint the exact searches that matter, then use them to shape content that resonates with real user concerns.

What is Pain Point SEO?

Pain point SEO is the process of finding and targeting search terms that explicitly announce a problem your audience is facing.

When someone hops on Google with “How do I fix [X]?”, they’re revealing a specific need.

Our job is to guide them toward the solution. This can be a daily struggle or a strategic hurdle.

But in any case, the searcher is actively looking for something to make their life easier.

This approach works best when you dig into why people need your solution before they even know who you are.

By recognizing the question behind their question, you can show how your product or service fits in.

It’s all about closing that loop and letting them see your brand as the natural next step.

Why Are Pain Point Keywords Worth Going After?

Pain point keywords are highly practical because they intersect with genuine user intent.

No one wants to waste time on information that doesn’t address the root of their problem.

By focusing on terms that scream “I have a problem right now,” you’re putting your content in front of people at exactly the right moment.

Additionally, these topics often pull in a mid-funnel audience already weighing solutions.

They’re not just browsing; they’re looking for answers.

This lets you position your tool in a more relevant light, so when they compare options, your name is top of mind.

Remember to be thorough in your content.

Don’t just push your own product. Include alternative ways to solve the problem so it reads as legitimately helpful rather than self-serving.

What Pain Point Keywords Should We Go After?

Your target pain point keywords should be long-tail and specific enough to reveal actual frustration or confusion.

Broad head terms like “keyword research” can bring large but unfocused traffic.

Drilling down to “How am I doing keyword research wrong” indicates the user is struggling and truly wants help.

If your SaaS is a keyword research platform, for example, go straight to showing them how your product can uncover missed opportunities.

But don’t just say “We’re the best.” Walk them through exactly how you solve that pain.

Visual proof—the kind you get from screenshots or product demos—makes a huge difference.

It’s how you shift from a generic pitch to a targeted solution.

To ensure the content doesn’t just read like an ad, break down other methods too.

Maybe there’s a manual process they can try.

Or a workaround that’s less efficient.

When you demonstrate different paths, you can make your solution stand out as the better choice.

How to Find Pain Point Keywords

After you know which type of keywords you want to focus on, the next step is to gather them.

These methods will help uncover untapped topics where you can fill a genuine need.

Remember: each approach is meant to uncover real problems, so you can then craft content that speaks to those specific issues.

Ask Your Audience First

Your customers know better than anyone why they came to you in the first place.

Talk to them.

Ask about the obstacles they faced before trying your tool.

Find out what led them to start searching for a solution.

Listen for repeat phrases, frustrations, and “Aha!” moments they experienced.

Use these insights to guide your keyword discovery.

If multiple clients talk about “how we saved them from messy data exports,” guess what?

That phrase just became a prime candidate.

The more interviews you do, the clearer these patterns will get.

Be sure to document each pain point and reframe them into possible search terms.

Interview Your Client-Facing Teams

If you can’t go straight to the source, your client-facing teams are a gold mine of insights.

They’re in the trenches, constantly hearing client needs, objections, and use cases.

Ask them which problems come up most often during onboarding or demos.

Sometimes, prospective clients disclose their pains right before signing up for a trial or pilot.

Those real-life confessions make perfect targets for pain point SEO because they’re directly tied to why someone ultimately embraced your product.

Find out why people switch from a competitor or from a manual process, then spin that into a keyword strategy.

Use Google Search Console + Your Product Pages

Google Search Console (GSC) can tell you exactly what search queries are bringing traffic to your key landing pages.

Filter by your product or service page, and see which questions people typed in.

Often, you’ll discover long-tail queries that hint at where a user is stuck.

Focus on question-based terms.

If you see “How do I fix inaccurate data reports,” it’s safe to assume they’re searching for a direct fix.

Once you spot these queries in GSC, create or optimize content to answer them comprehensively.

If your product solves that need, that’s your chance to highlight it.

Use Review Platforms

Review platforms like G2 can give you unfiltered feedback from people who’ve actually tried various tools.

Look especially for one to four-star reviews—they mention pain points more often than glowing five-star ones.

Watch for consistent complaints, which might be exactly what your audience is trying to fix.

When comparing your brand to another, see what customers wish your competitors did better.

If your product does that one thing well, write about it.

Pain point SEO thrives on showcasing how you solve what others can’t.

Using Reddit for Pain Points

While I think there are better options here, I think Reddit is also an extremely solid way to find pain point keywords.

You can use specific subreddits from your ICP to search for any common problems they’re facing.

I have a whole article on using Reddit for keyword research, but I think the easiest way would be to use a search operator.

Plug in “site: Reddit.com/r/*subreddit*” and then use some kind of search modifier.

I’ll usually use “how” or a “?” but it will really depend on the type of problems you want to find.

This usually looks like this: site:https://www.reddit.com/r/SocialMediaMarketing/ "how"

Wrapping Up Pain Point SEO

Pain point SEO isn’t complicated.

You simply align your content with real user challenges, then showcase how to fix them.

It all starts by identifying the pain, empathizing with the struggle, and presenting a clear path to relief.

To optimize results, consider adding in genuine case studies or metrics that prove your solution actually eases that pain.

Keep your ear to the ground because pain points shift as new technologies, workflows, or market conditions arise.

Revisit your content, update your examples, and stay relevant to capture those ongoing needs.

By doing all this, you elevate your brand from just another blog in a sea of articles to a genuine problem solver that audiences trust, respect, and buy from.