How to Import Keywords via CSV

How to Import Keywords via CSV

LemRank allows for bulk keyword imports using a Comma Separated Values (CSV) file. This method enables you to add hundreds or thousands of keywords to your tracking projects efficiently, without individually adding each one.

CSV format LemRank expects

LemRank expects CSV files to have a specific structure for successful imports. The first row of your CSV file must be a header row, defining the content of each column. Subsequent rows contain the keyword data.

The file should be plain text with values separated by commas. Each row represents a single keyword entry. Ensure that no extra commas or unescaped special characters are present within your data fields, as this can disrupt the parsing of your file.

"keyword","country","device","language","tags" "seo software","us","desktop","en","tools, rank tracking" "best keyword tracker","gb","mobile","en","saas, competitors" "local seo tips","ca","desktop","fr","local, guides"

This example illustrates a CSV file with a header row defining keyword, country, device, language, and tags. Each subsequent row provides data for these columns for a specific keyword. For instance, "seo software" is tracked in the United States on desktop devices, in English, and is tagged with "tools" and "rank tracking."

Required vs optional columns

When preparing your CSV file for import, certain columns are mandatory, while others are optional. Including optional columns provides more granular control and organization for your tracked keywords.

Required Column

• keyword: This column is mandatory. It must contain the specific keyword string you wish to track. Each row must have a value in this column.

Optional Columns

• country: Specifies the target country for keyword tracking. Use a two-letter ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code (e.g., us for United States, gb for United Kingdom, ca for Canada). If this column is omitted or left blank for a specific row, LemRank will use the default country setting configured for your project.
• device: Defines the device type for tracking. Acceptable values are desktop or mobile. If this column is omitted or left blank, LemRank will use the default device setting for your project.
• language: Indicates the language for keyword tracking. Use a two-letter ISO 639-1 language code (e.g., en for English, fr for French, es for Spanish). If this column is omitted or left blank, LemRank will use the default language setting for your project.
• tags: This column allows you to assign one or more tags to a keyword. If you include multiple tags for a single keyword, separate them with commas within the tags field (e.g., "tools, rank tracking"). These tags help categorize and filter your keywords within LemRank.

If an optional column is present in your header but left empty for a specific keyword row, LemRank will apply the project's default settings for that attribute. If an optional column is entirely absent from your CSV header, LemRank will apply the project's default settings for all imported keywords regarding that attribute.

Handling duplicates on import

LemRank employs specific rules to manage duplicate keywords during the import process. These rules prevent redundant tracking and maintain data integrity within your projects.

Duplicates within the CSV file

If your CSV file contains multiple identical keyword entries (same keyword, country, device, and language combination), LemRank automatically dedupes these entries. Only one instance of the unique keyword tracking combination will be processed and imported. For example, if your file lists "seo tools","us","desktop","en" twice, only one entry will be added to your project.

Duplicates with existing tracked keywords

When importing keywords, LemRank checks for matches against keywords already being tracked in your project. If an imported keyword (identical in keyword, country, device, and language) already exists in your project, that specific entry from your CSV file will be skipped. It will not overwrite the existing tracked keyword or its historical data.

This ensures that your existing tracking data remains undisturbed and avoids creating duplicate tracking entries for the same keyword parameters. New keywords not already present in your project will be added successfully.

Bulk-tagging on import

The CSV import feature allows you to apply tags to keywords in bulk, directly from your spreadsheet. This enables efficient organization and categorization of your keywords as they are added to LemRank.

To bulk-tag keywords, include a tags column in your CSV file. For each keyword, enter the desired tags in this column.

• Separate multiple tags for a single keyword with commas. For example, if you want to assign "software" and "reviews" to a keyword, the entry in the tags column would be "software, reviews".
• Tags can include spaces (e.g., "long tail").
• If a tag listed in your CSV does not already exist in your LemRank project, it will be created automatically during the import process.
• If you leave the tags column empty for a specific keyword or omit the tags column entirely, no tags will be applied to those keywords upon import.

This functionality streamlines the process of organizing large sets of keywords, allowing for robust filtering and analysis within the LemRank dashboard immediately after import.

Import limits per plan

LemRank sets limits on the number of keywords that can be imported via CSV, which vary depending on your subscription plan. These limits ensure optimal performance and resource allocation for all users.

Refer to your specific plan details within the LemRank application or on the pricing page for the exact maximum number of keywords you can import in a single CSV file. Attempting to import a file that exceeds your plan's limit will result in an error, and the import will not proceed.

If you need to import more keywords than your current plan allows, consider upgrading your subscription. Contact support if you require assistance with large-scale keyword imports or have questions about specific plan limitations.

Troubleshooting failed imports

If your CSV import fails, several common issues can prevent a successful upload. Review the following potential problems and their solutions:

Incorrect CSV format

• Missing header row: Ensure the very first row of your CSV contains column headers like keyword, country, device, language, tags. Without a header row, LemRank cannot correctly interpret your data.
• Incorrect delimiters: Your file must use commas (,) as delimiters between values. Other delimiters, such as semicolons (;) or tabs, will cause parsing errors.
• Unescaped special characters: If your keyword or tag text contains commas or other special characters, ensure these fields are enclosed in double quotes (e.g., "example, keyword"). This prevents the parser from misinterpreting a comma within a field as a new column separator.
• Inconsistent number of columns: Each row should have the same number of columns as defined by your header. Missing or extra commas in a row can lead to misalignment.

Data validation errors

• Missing required keyword values: Every row must contain a value in the keyword column. Rows with an empty keyword field will be skipped or cause the import to fail.
• Invalid country codes: country values must be valid two-letter ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 codes (e.g., us, gb, de). Incorrect codes will result in those specific keywords using the project's default country.
• Invalid device types: device values must be either desktop or mobile (case-insensitive). Invalid values will cause those keywords to use the project's default device.
• Invalid language codes: language values must be valid two-letter ISO 639-1 codes (e.g., en, fr, es). Invalid codes will result in those specific keywords using the project's default language.

Exceeding import limits

• Too many keywords: If your CSV file contains more keywords than your current LemRank plan allows, the import will fail. Check your plan's import limits and reduce the file size if necessary, or consider upgrading your subscription.

After addressing issues

After making corrections to your CSV file, save it and attempt the import again. If the problem persists, download the error report (if provided by the interface) for more specific feedback, and if further assistance is needed, contact LemRank support with your CSV file and any error messages.

Related

• How to Do Keyword Discovery