---
title: "Keyword Optimization Index"
description: "A way to compare keyword opportunity by country."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/known/keyword-optimization-index/
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# Keyword Optimization Index

> A way to compare keyword opportunity by country.

Mark Schaefer's framework, from KNOWN, pp. 193 to 194.

Framework 19 of 19 from [KNOWN](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/known/index.md) by Mark Schaefer. Category: Growth and strategy.

## The steps

1. **Find search volume.** Use a keyword planner for the size of your market.
2. **Measure competition.** Search allintitle:keyword and count the results.
3. **Calculate.** Divide volume by competing results and multiply by volume again.
4. **Narrow by country.** Use the country option and the national version of Google.

## Where it comes from

From chapter: APPENDIX II Determining content density in regions of the world, pp. 193–194

Appendix II gives a way to measure content density in a particular country using the Keyword Optimization Index from SEO specialist Roy Ishak. You find the search volume of a keyword, find competition with an allintitle search, then divide volume by competition and multiply by volume again. The higher the result, the better your chance of ranking, and national versions of Google and country filters let you narrow to a region.

## The animation

24 seconds, 4:5, no sound.

- MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/known/keyword-optimization-index.mp4
- MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/known/keyword-optimization-index-dark.mp4
- Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/known/keyword-optimization-index.png
- Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/known/keyword-optimization-index-dark.png