What Does “Score” Mean in Suggested Keywords?
If you have utilized our Keyword Suggestion Tool, you may have noticed a number labeled “Score” next to each keyword suggestion. Initially, it might seem like this number represents search volume or keyword difficulty—but that is not the case.
In this article, we will explain what score really is and how it can help you in content planning and SEO.
It's Not Search Volume or Keyword Difficulty
- Monthly search volume
- Keyword difficulty or competitiveness
- Cost per click (CPC)
- Metrics from Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Ads
While those are important SEO metrics, the score in our tool serves a different purpose entirely.
What the Score Actually Represents
The score is a measure of how semantically related a suggested keyword is to the term you entered. It's powered by the Datamuse API, which analyzes huge linguistic datasets to discover meaningful relationships between words.
In simpler words: the score reflects relevance based on meaning, not popularity.
How Is the Score Calculated?
Datamuse doesn't share all details, but generally:
- It examines word co-occurrence in large text datasets
- It checks how frequently words appear in similar contexts
- It ranks keywords based on semantic closeness
So, if you search “artificial intelligence,” related terms like “machine learning” or “AI tools” will likely have high scores since they often appear together across the internet.
How You Can Use the Score Effectively
- Start with high-score suggestions — they are more relevant
- Don't ignore lower-score keywords — they might reveal niche or long-tail opportunities
- Use the score to guide and expand your content ideas
Remember: Score is not an indicator of popularity.
Why You Shouldn't Rely on Score Alone
Score is a useful tool for brainstorming keyword ideas, but it shouldn't be your only data point.
For a well-rounded keyword strategy, also consider:
- Search Volume — how many people search for a term monthly
- Keyword Difficulty — how hard it is to rank
- Search Intent — what the user actually wants
Summary: Keyword Score vs. Other SEO Metrics
| Metric | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| Score (Datamuse) | Semantic relevance to your input keyword |
| Search Volume | Estimated number of monthly searches |
| Keyword Difficulty | How competitive it is to rank for the keyword |
Use the score as a creative brainstorming tool, not as a replacement for deeper keyword research.
Want to try it yourself? Head over to our Keyword Suggestion Tool to get started.