"Good words are worth much, and cost little."
—George HerbertSearch engine optimization (SEO) has many factors. It considers everything from your site structure to the words you use in your copy.
This SEO guide focuses on how you can use power words to boost SEO. We’ll explain what they do and give you a full list of power words to choose from. This way, you can drive reader engagement and optimize your content for the web.
When it comes to online writing, you need to use words that not only target your audience but target their emotions. That’s why we segment our power word list by which emotion they appeal to: the reader’s sense of trust and community as well as their curiosity, pride, laziness, fear, lust, greed, and anger.
We’ve scoured the web for the best power words to compile the most comprehensive list out there. It’s the only SEO power word list you’ll ever need.
Let’s dive in.
What is an SEO Power Word?
So what exactly is an SEO power word? Similar to SEO power pages, these are words (and sometimes phrases) aimed at triggering a psychological or emotional response in the reader. Ideally, power words appeal to our emotions and senses to persuade us to take action.
Power words are used all over. In email marketing, landing pages, social media, and content marketing. Copywriters and advertisers alike employ them to drive traffic, conversions, and ultimately sales.
What makes power words good for SEO? Well, search engines reward sites that draw organic traffic. Think about it. If a web page consistently attracts engagement and longer dwell times for a certain keyword, Google assumes that visitors are deriving value from it. That the page satisfies them. And that’s what Google is about above all—satisfying search intent.
So if you can increase traffic with alluring power words, you’ve won half the battle. You’ve widened your traffic funnel. The trick is to then make sure your content actually delivers. It must add value to the reader. Otherwise, you’ve led them down a misleading path, and they’ll bounce from your page, which will drop your dwell time rate and actually hurt your SEO.
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Power words are especially important in headlines. After all, headlines are the first thing readers see. So you need to make them as click-worthy as possible. Headlines follow the 80/20 rule. Also known as the Pareto principle, the 80/20 rule states that 80% of your results will come from 20% of your work. Even though headlines only make up a small piece of what goes into a piece of content, they can make or break it. A weak headline will lose the reader, and they won’t click. But a powerful headline can persuade the reader to learn more.
When it comes to SEO, power words increase your bottom line. They get readers to click and discover the high-quality content you have to offer. Plus, they help your copy throughout. Visitors will be more inclined to keep reading if you speak to their emotions.
That’s why we’ve laid out the best 1,274 power words for you. And we’ve segmented them by the emotion to which they appeal for your easy reference.
So without further ado, here they are:
Trust SEO Power Words
above and beyond ensured reliability absolutely expert research according to facts, factual research-backed accredited fail proof results accurate faith, faithful risk-free actionable flawless rock solid actual foolproof safety admiration, to admire fully refundable scientific, science advantage genuine scientifically proven, science-backed anonymous guarantee, guaranteed secure approved guilt-free sensible authentic improved should authoritative, authority ironclad studies show automatic legit, legitimate super backed lifetime superior backed refund money-back supported bankable no doubt sure-fire because no fail survive best no obligation(s) tested bestselling no questions asked that never fails better no risk thorough bona fide no strings attached track record cancel anytime obvious true, truly case study official trustworthy certified patented try before you buy clockwork pay zero ultimate complete percent unconditional confirmed permanent unparalleled data privacy unquestionable definite professional verified, verify definitive promise well beyond delightful protected well respected dependable proven world-class detailed recession-proof worldwide don't worry recognized worry-free effective refund worthwhile endorsed reliable
Community SEO Power Words
become a member community safe become part of connect support circle group team come along join together
Curiosity SEO Power Words
ancient hidden sneak peek astonishing hilarious spoiler backdoor hilarious strange banned hush-hush stunning be an insider illegal super secret be the first illusive thought-provoking become an insider incredibly top secret behind the scenes insane trade secret bizarre insider tried to hide black market interesting unauthorized blacklisted invitation only unbelievable blacklisted join uncensored bootleg key uncharted censored learn unconventional clandestine limited uncover class full little-known under the radar classified login required under the table cloak and dagger lost under wraps closet members only undercover concealed myths underground confessions never seen before under-the-table confidential odd undisclosed controversial off limits undiscovered covert off the record unexpected cover-up on the q.t. unexplained crazy outlawed unexplored cringe worthy priceless unheard of dark private unique discover privy unlock distinct psycho unreachable elusive remote unspoken exclusive restricted unsung exotic ridiculous untold extraordinary sealed unusual eye-opening secluded unveil, unveiled forbidden secret wacky forgotten shh! withheld from the vault shocking zany harness smuggled
Pride SEO Power Words
A+ excellent phenomenal adorable excited pluck affable extraordinary power-up ahead of the game eye-opening praise amazing fabulous prevail amplify faith prosperous ascend fantastic radiant astonishing fearless remarkable astounding ferocious revel at the top fierce rule attractive flawless sassy audacious force saucy awe-inspiring fortunate score awesome foxy seize backbone free sensational badass fulfill smart beat genius spectacular beauteous glory, glorious splendid beautiful good-looking spunk belief gorgeous staggering bliss, blissful graceful strengthen bold grateful striking booming greatest strong boost grit stunning boss guts stunt brassy handsome stupendous bravery happy successful brazen heart superhuman breathtaking hero supreme bright, brighten honor surprising brilliant hope tender, tenderness celebrate, celebrated incredible terrific cheer, cheery jaw-dropping thrive cherish jovial thwart classy joy, joyful, to enjoy titan clever jubilant tough colossal kick-ass tremendous command knockout triumph, triumphant conquer kudos turbocharge courage legend, legendary ultimate crowned life-changing unbeatable daring love, loveable, falling in love unbeaten dazzling luck, lucky unbelievable defeat magic undefeated defiance marvelous unforgettable delight master unique devotion, devoted mind-blowing unleash dignity miracle, miraculous uplifting dominate money-making valiant drop-dead new valor ecstatic next level vanquish effective noble victory effortless notable, noteworthy virtuoso elegant nurture, nurturing wealthy elite open-hearted win empower optimal wonderful enchant perfect wondrous epic persuade
Laziness SEO Power Words
accessible free, freebie nothing to it all-inclusive gift now amazing guide on demand basic how-to painless building blocks in less than pattern cheat sheet in record time piece of cake child’s play index plain cinch ingredients printable clear instant, instantly quick complete itemized ready components kick-start replicate comprehensive life-changing report copy light roadmap downloadable list simple easy magic simple as abc economical manageable smooth, smooth sailing efficient mere snap effortless minutes steal elementary, elements miraculous steps empower model straightforward factors mold swipe fail proof no nonsense template fill in the blanks no problem tools formula no sweat uncomplicated
Fear SEO Power Words
abuse epidemic plunder agony fail plunge annihilate failure poison anxiety feeble poor anxious fired prison apocalypse foil pummel armageddon fool punch assault fooled pus backlash frantic pussyfoot banned freaking out reckoning beating frightening revenge beware fugacious risky blinded gambling sabotage blood gullible savage bloodbath hack scary bloodcurdling hazardous scream bloody hoax searing blunder holocaust shame bomb horrific shatter buffoon horror shellacking bumbling hurricane shocked burning out inferior silly cadaver injure slaughter cataclysmic insidious slaughtered catastrophe invasion slave caution jail smash collapse jeopardy steal corpse last chance stolen cowardly lawsuit strangle crazy looming stupid cringe worthy lost opportunity suck cripple lunatic suffering crisis, crises lurking tailspin danger massacre take advantage dangerous meltdown tank dark menacing targeted deadly mired teetering death miserable terror deceiving miss out threat despair mistake torture destroy murder toxic devastating nerd tragedy disappointment nightmare trap disaster painful trauma disastrous pale vaporize distressed panic victim doom peril volatile drowning piranha vulnerable dumb pitfall warning embarrass plague worry embarrassed played wounded embarrassing plummet wreaking havoc
Lust SEO Power Words
ache impure scandalous allure, alluring indecent seduce, seductive arouse intense sensual bare intoxicating sex, sexy begging intriguing shameless beguiling itching sinful brazen juicy sleazy captivating kinky sleeping charismatic kiss sleazy charm lascivious sneak peek cheeky lewd spank climax lick spellbinding compelling lonely spicy covet longing steamy crave, craving love, lovely stimulating delight lure striking delirious luscious strip depraved lush sweaty deprive lust tantalizing desire magnetic taste dirty mind-blowing tawdry divine mischievous tease ecstasy mouthwatering tempting embrace naked thrilling enchant naughty tickle enchanting nude tight engaging obscene tingle enthralling obsession turn on entice orgasmic unabashed entrance passionate uncensored excite pining untamed exotic pinning untouched explicit pleasure, pleasurable urge exposed promiscuous voluptuous fascinate, fascinating provocative vulgar flirt racy wanton forbidden raunchy wet frisky risqué whip goosebumps riveting wild hanker rowdy X-rated heavenly salacious yearn, yearning hottest satisfy you hypnotic saucy yummy
Greed SEO Power Words
ahead of the game first noteworthy amplify fortunate now at the top fortune optimal attractive foxy pay zero bank free premiere bargain freebie price break beautiful frenzy prize before frugal profit best genius prosperous big get more quadruple big deal gift quick big time giveaway reasonable billion golden reduced bold good-looking rich bonanza gorgeous running low bonus greatest running out booked solid guilt-free sale booming handsome sale ends soon boost high-paying sassy boss huge save brassy hurry save money bright immediate savings budget inexpensive scarce cash instant, instantly six-figure cheap jackpot skyrocket clever kick-ass slashed costly knockout smart crowned last chance soaring dazzling legendary special deadline limited successful discount lowest price superhuman dollar lucky surge don't miss out lucrative treasure double luxurious triple earn more marked down turbocharge economical massive ultimate effective monetize unbeaten elegant money undefeated elite money-draining upsell exclusive, exclusivity money-making value expires, expiring money-saving waste explode more wealth, wealthy extra nest egg while they last fast never again whopping feast new you final notable
Anger SEO Power Words
abhorrent hate, hated, hatred repugnant abuse high and mighty revile agitate horrid revolting agonizing hostile rotten annoy, annoying hysterics rude arrogant infuriating ruined backstabbing irritating ruthless bankrupt jealous savage barbaric kick scam bash kill scold beat down knock screw big mouth knock out sick and tired bitter know-it-all sink blatant lies slam boil over livid slander broke loathsome slap brutal lollygag slash buffoon loser slay bully lying smash cheat maul smear clobber miff smug clown misleading sneaky cocky money-grubbing sniveling corrupt morally bankrupt snob coward nasty snooty crooked no good snotty crush obnoxious spiteful curse oppressive spoil debase pain in the ass steal defile panic stink delinquent payback stuck up demolish perverse suck deplorable pesky suck up desecrate pest sulk desperate phony tantrum despicable pissed off terrorize diatribe pitiful thug diminish pollute trash disgusting pompous trounce dishonest pound tyranny distorted preposterous underhanded evil pretentious untrustworthy exploit provoke up to here flare up punch useless force-fed punish vengeful foul quixotic vicious freaking out rage, raging victim frenzy, frantic raise hell violate fury, furious rampant violent greedy rant waste gross ravage weak grumpy rebel worst harass repelling wounded
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Feel free to bookmark this list for future reference. That way, you can easily get back to it the next time you’re writing a blog post or you’ve hit a writer’s block.
Of course, there’s a lot more to SEO than just power words. From link building to on-page SEO, there are several knobs to adjust and levers to pull in order to make your website rank high on Google.
That’s where SEO.co can help. Our experts have over 20 years of experience working with top clients in industries ranging from real estate to healthcare to travel and more. To take your digital marketing to the next level, reach out today to schedule a free consultation.
