Keyword stemming is the process of reducing a keyword to its root or base form. This allows search engines to recognize different variations of a word as being related. For example, the stem of "running," "runner," and "ran" is "run." Keyword stemming helps search engines understand the different forms of a word and match them with relevant search queries, even if the exact term isn’t used.
This technique is valuable for improving SEO because it enables content to be more easily discovered by users searching for related terms. It broadens the scope of keywords, allowing a webpage to rank for a wider range of variations without overstuffing the content with every possible form of a word. Keyword stemming is an important part of modern search algorithms, helping ensure that the content is relevant to the user's intent, even if they use different word forms in their search.