Have you ever paused mid-scroll to ask Google, “why is the sky blue?” or “how to tie a tie,” or wondered, “best running shoes for beginners”? You’re not alone—and there’s a powerful reason these kinds of questions never go out of the psychology of search. At their core, they speak to two of our oldest, most fundamental drives:
- Storytelling
- Problem‑solving
At the heart of every search is curiosity. From the moment humans could speak and communicate with each other, we’ve asked questions to understand, survive, and thrive. Whether it was early humans seeking shelter or modern users looking for the best smartphone, our desire to know drives our behavior.
Let’s break down why “how,” “why,” and “best” searches are eternally popular. They are not just about keywords—they tap into timeless elements of human psychology, and what that means for SEO.
The Psychology of Search: ‘How, Why, Best’ Questions and Timeless SEO
The Psychology of Search is a study to understand how people think, behave, and make decisions when searching online. It is about analyzing their search intent, cognitive biases, and emotional triggers to optimize content and SEO strategies that align with what they want, improving relevance, engagement, and conversions.
We, human beings, are always asking ‘how, why, and best’ questions, and they are also the most common questions asked in search engines. It is true in any niche or business. This article explains the SEO strategies for these queries.
1. “How” Queries: Learning by Doing
- Primal Instinct: Human beings are natural tinkerers. From childhood, we keep asking to figure out the world with many “how” questions. We ask simple to complex questions, such as – how to walk, how to speak, how the sun keeps shining, etc.
- Digital Translation: Today, when you want answers, you open Google or Bing and type “how to” and other how-questions in the search bar.
- SEO Tip: Find how-questions related to your business or niche using a keyword tool or Q&A sites. Then, create step-by-step, easy-to-follow guides (with headings like “Step 1,” “Step 2,” etc.) that speak directly to that hands-on urge.
Example: If you write a unique article on “How to Start a Garden in Containers”, it will be evergreen because people will always want easy-to-do, beginner-friendly instructions.
2. “Why” Queries: Feeding Our Sense of Wonder
- Primal Instinct: We’re story animals. We love explanations—stories that make sense of the world around us, from the stars to the stock market.
- Digital Translation: “Why do cats purr?” or “Why do interest rates rise?” aren’t just facts; they’re questions that trigger little narratives that help us place new information into our mental maps. You ask questions like that, and many people do.
- SEO Tip: Content that dives into reasons, causes, and context—often with analogies or relatable anecdotes—hits that narrative sweet spot for readers. Find why-questions in your industry and create content on them.
Example: When you write on “Why Do Leaves Change Color in Autumn?”, it works every year because it tells the seasonal story in a way that resonates on an emotional level.
3. “Best” Queries: Seeking the Ultimate Shortcut
- Primal Instinct: Ancient hunters asked the “best” paths, and today’s consumers look for the “best” deals; that gives us the instinct to optimize for them.
- Digital Translation: An article like “Best DSLR cameras under $500 in USA” or “best yoga mats for hot yoga” saves us time and mental effort by summarizing countless options into a clear winner or top 10.
- SEO Tip: Create listicles, product rankings, and comparisons. Honest pros and cons, clear criteria, and real-world testing build trust and clicks to the content.
Example: An article on “Top 10 Budget Smartphones 2025” will remain relevant because technology keeps advancing, but people will always want the quickest read to a smart purchase.
Why Are These Patterns Everlasting?
Universal Curiosity
In any year of history, today and in the future, we use questions “how,” “why,” and “what’s best”. Optimizing for them is the timeless SEO.
Immediate Gratification
The search bar is our storytelling campfire and problem-solving toolbox rolled into one. We search with the questions, and the web delivers the answers.
Content Longevity
Well-crafted “how,” “why,” and “best” articles become evergreen magnets; they will continue pulling new readers and building authority for your site.
Bringing It to Your SEO Table
People will always ask “how,” “why,” and “best” questions. Creating quality content to answer them is an evergreen SEO tactic. How do you do it?
Keyword Mapping
Use a keyword research tool and identify “how,” “why,” and “best” questions in your niche. You can do it by searching your seed keyword in the tool and filtering keywords containing “how,” “why,” or “best”. Select the best keywords from the results. Here is a curated list of Top Keyword Research Tools.
Content Structure
For “How” Queries: Write the article answering the question. Tell your problem-solving skills. Include numbered steps, bullet points, and visuals (screenshots, diagrams).
For “Why” Queries: Tell a mini-story in your article. Start with the mystery, explain the causes, and wrap up with implications or “what this means for you.”
For “Best” Queries: Show your process of selection. Clearly state your criteria used in selection, present your top picks out of the choices available, and prove it with real-world testing or user reviews of previous users.
Engagement Hooks
Add engagement to the content. Begin with a relatable scenario (for example, “Ever been stuck…”), sprinkle in analogies (“like following a recipe…”), and end with a call‑to‑action (“Which tip will you try first?”). It will be a great article.
By tapping into those primal instincts through storytelling and problem‑solving, you’re not just writing for algorithms; you’re speaking to people who are searching in the search engines. And when your content resonates and satisfies the quest, it stays relevant, shareable, and high‑ranking almost indefinitely.
See how people search online with Answer the Public.
Don’t you have the writing talent? Check out these Best Books for Content Writing.
Happy writing!
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Ibochouba Singh is a content writer and reviewer with a passion for writing about digital marketing and tech gadgets, including software tools and new tech gadgets. He has over 15 years of experience writing for several consumers and clients, including tech startups, marketing agencies, and software companies. He has written many articles and product reviews for many websites, including nigcworld.com and buywin.in.