Initially part of the broader Topical Map, but with a slightly different focus. While Topical Map is all about building a full content strategy around your domain, Topic Research is where you go to discover fresh, data-backed ideas fast, and Google Search Console connection is optional. 😉
Topic Research lets you explore a topic (or keyword) and uncover clusters of related ideas. Think of it as a brainstorming assistant backed by real SEO data.
Topic Research helps you generate a list of high-potential keyword ideas based on a seed keyword.
You give it a keyword like “freelance writing” or “AI tools for marketing,” and in return, you get a bunch of tightly connected clusters. Each cluster is a group of related subtopics or article ideas you can turn into content, perfect for filling up your editorial calendar or planning pillar pages.
Not just random keywords, but ones that are:
Frequently searched
Semantically related
Valuable for building topical authority
The goal is to help you cover your niche completely, so search engines like Google see you as a go-to source for that topic. 🚀
Enter a topic or seed keyword
Start with something broad, like "budget travel" or "vegan recipes."
Topic Research analyzes the SERPs
Surfer checks what’s already ranking in your selected country and language, finds related terms, and groups them based on similarity.
You get smart keyword clusters
These aren’t just lists—they're organized groups of keywords grouped by similarity and search intent that make sense to cover together, whether as standalone blog posts or sections of larger guides.
Choose what fits your content plan
Pick the clusters that align with your goals, then either send them directly to the Content Editor or build out a full Topical Map for long-term strategy.
These two are definitely cut from the same cloth, but are not the same. Both tools help you plan content, but they’re used a little differently.
Topic Research can be considered as your starting point. It is quick and idea-focused. It provides clusters of keyword ideas quickly, perfect if you want fast wins or don’t need a full site-wide strategy. Suitable when you want inspiration, need content ideas fast, or want to start publishing right away.
Topical Map, on the other hand, takes things further. It's more strategic and organizes your content ideas into a full structure for your site. It takes those clusters and organizes them into a hierarchy based on search intent and internal linking potential. It also:
Connects to your Google Search Console to avoid overlap
Refreshes monthly to stay up-to-date
Helps you plan content across your entire site
Think of it like this:
🧠 Topic Research: “What should I write about?”
📚 Topical Map: “How should I organize everything I’m writing about?”
Use Topic Research when:
You need ideas fast
You're creating individual articles
You're testing new niches or content angles
Don't need a full site structure (yet!)
Use Topical Map when:
You're planning a long-term content strategy
You want to build topical authority
You’re managing a larger site or want to avoid cannibalization
You can always start with Topic Research and later turn those clusters into a Topical Map if you’re ready to build out a broader content strategy.
💭 Do you still need help? You can reach us at [email protected] or by clicking on the chat icon in the bottom-right corner. We're here 24/5! 😊
