Bilingual Keyword Research: English and French Keywords for Canadian Markets

For effective bilingual keyword research targeting Canadian markets, you must conduct separate keyword research for English and French, specifically Canadian French, as search terms and user intent differ significantly between the two languages and regions like Quebec. Use tools such as Google Keyword Planner set to French (Canada) and English (Canada) modes independently to capture relevant keywords and regional variations.

Key points for bilingual keyword research in Canada include:

• Separate keyword sets: French-Canadian users often use different terms than English speakers, and even within French, Quebec French differs from European French (e.g., cellulaire vs mobile).

• Localization over direct translation: Simply translating English keywords into French is insufficient. Research must consider cultural context, search intent, and regional language nuances.

• Use Canadian French keywords: Avoid European French terms to better target Quebec’s market.

• Tools and techniques: Use Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Ubersuggest with Canadian regional filters and language settings to analyze search volume, competition, and intent separately for each language.

• SEO and campaign implementation: Create separate French and English pages with mirrored structures, implement hreflang tags (hreflang="fr-ca" and hreflang="en-ca"), and ensure metadata and content are language-specific.

• Ad campaigns: Bid separately on English and French keywords, match ad language to query language, and use geographic targeting to focus on Quebec for French ads.

• Content strategy: Develop unique content in both languages rather than direct translations to address different user preferences and search behaviours.

In summary, bilingual keyword research for Canadian markets requires distinct, localized keyword strategies for English and French, leveraging Canadian-specific tools and cultural insights to optimize visibility and engagement across both language groups, especially in Quebec where French predominates.