# FINAL KEYWORD RESEARCH REPORT
## Banatie API — SEO Opportunities for AI-Assisted Web Development
**Date:** January 9, 2026  
**Analyst:** @spy Research Agent  
**Budget Used:** $3.60 of $15 (24%)

---

## EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Comprehensive keyword research targeting developers who code with AI tools (Claude Code, Cursor, vibecoding) and need image generation solutions. Analyzed 250+ keywords across 15 topic clusters with SERP validation for top opportunities.

### Key Findings

1. **PRIMARY TARGET:** "placeholder images" (14,800 vol, KD 32) — validated, beatable competitors
2. **PATTERN:** Generic image keywords beat AI-prefixed keywords (lower competition, higher volume)
3. **GAP:** Long-tail question keywords have near-zero volume — people search for solutions, not problems
4. **URGENT:** "midjourney alternative" declining 84% — capture now or miss opportunity
5. **SKIP:** "banner images" has wrong intent (stock photos, not generation)

---

## TOP 10 KEYWORD OPPORTUNITIES

| Rank | Keyword | Vol | KD | Status | Action |
|------|---------|-----|----|----|--------|
| 1 | placeholder images | 14,800 | 32 | ✅ VALIDATED | HIGH PRIORITY |
| 2 | test images | 6,600 | 9 | ⚠️ Mixed | Secondary |
| 3 | marketing images | 2,900 | 19 | Not validated | Test SERP |
| 4 | social media images | 1,900 | 14 | Not validated | Test SERP |
| 5 | advertising images | 1,600 | 4 | Not validated | Quick win |
| 6 | midjourney alternative | 1,300 | 3 | URGENT | Declining volume |
| 7 | ecommerce photography | 880 | 32 | Validated | Secondary |
| 8 | product shots | 720 | 21 | Validated | Secondary |
| 9 | blog images | 720 | 7 | Not validated | Quick win |
| 10 | lorem picsum | 880 | 15 | Comparison | Include in placeholder |

---

## SERP VALIDATION SUMMARY

### ✅ "placeholder images" — GO
- **Intent:** 100% developer
- **Competitors:** placehold.co, Lorem Picsum, placehold.net (all beatable)
- **Validation:** "AI placeholder images" in Google's related searches
- **Differentiation:** AI-generated, Live URLs, prompt-based
- **Action:** Create comprehensive guide + comparison content

### ❌ "banner images" — NO GO
- **Intent:** Stock photo search (Unsplash, Adobe, Freepik dominate)
- **Problem:** Users want to FIND images, not GENERATE
- **Action:** Archived from content pipeline

### ⚠️ "test images" — CONDITIONAL
- **Intent:** Mixed (placeholders + stock + calibration)
- **Signal:** Lorem Picsum ranks #1 (proves developer demand)
- **Action:** Include as H2 in placeholder content, not standalone

---

## STRATEGIC INSIGHTS

### 1. Solution Keywords Beat Problem Keywords

| Type | Example | Volume |
|------|---------|--------|
| Solution | "placeholder images" | 14,800 |
| Problem | "how to get images for vibe coding" | 0 |

**Strategy:** Target what people search for (solutions), not what they need (problems).

### 2. Generic > AI-Prefixed

| Keyword Type | Vol | KD | Competition |
|--------------|-----|----|----|
| "placeholder images" | 14,800 | 32 | LOW |
| "ai placeholder images" | — | — | Unknown |
| "ai image generator" | — | 70+ | HIGH |

**Strategy:** Position as "images for developers" not "AI image generator"

### 3. Platform-Specific = Low Competition

| Keyword | Vol | KD |
|---------|-----|-----|
| amazon product images | 140 | 9 |
| shopify product images | 70 | 21 |

**Strategy:** Create platform-specific tutorials for quick wins

### 4. Automation Keywords Have Zero Volume

Tested keywords with null results:
- generate product color variants
- bulk product image generation
- product mockup api
- automate product photography
- images for vibe coded website

**Insight:** Developers don't search for automation — they search for results.

---

## CONTENT PRIORITY

### NOW (Validated)
1. **Placeholder Images API** — 14,800 vol, KD 32
   - Comparison with Lorem Picsum
   - Answer PAA questions
   - Target "AI placeholder images"

2. **Midjourney Alternatives** — 1,300 vol, KD 3
   - URGENT: Volume declining 84%
   - Low difficulty, capture now

3. **Advertising Images Guide** — 1,600 vol, KD 4
   - Quick win, ultra-low difficulty

### NEXT (Need SERP validation)
4. Marketing Images (2,900 vol, KD 19)
5. Social Media Images (1,900 vol, KD 14)
6. Blog Images (720 vol, KD 7)

### LATER (Secondary)
7. eCommerce Photography (880 vol, KD 32)
8. Product Shots (720 vol, KD 21)
9. Amazon Product Images (140 vol, KD 9)

### SKIP
- Banner Images (wrong intent)
- Long-tail questions (no volume)
- AI-prefixed high-competition keywords

---

## RESEARCH FILES

### Saved to Repository
```
banatie-content/research/keywords/
├── ai-web-dev-images-2026-01-09.md     # Main research (this file's source)
├── product-photography-2026-01-09.md   # Product photography expansion
└── serp-analysis-2026-01-09.md         # Detailed SERP analysis

banatie-content/0-inbox/
├── placeholder-images-api.md           # HIGH PRIORITY ✅
├── advertising-images-guide.md         # Quick win
├── midjourney-alternatives-developers.md # URGENT
├── test-images-development.md          # Deprioritized
└── banner-images-guide.md              # ARCHIVED ❌
```

---

## BUDGET TRACKING

| Session | Spend | Running Total |
|---------|-------|---------------|
| 12 keyword blocks | $2.80 | $2.80 |
| SERP analysis (3 keywords) | $0.40 | $3.20 |
| Long-tail questions | $0.20 | $3.40 |
| Product photography | $0.20 | $3.60 |

**Total:** $3.60 of $15 budget (24%)
**Remaining:** $11.40

---

## NEXT STEPS

1. **@strategist:** Create brief for "Placeholder Images API" content
2. **@spy:** SERP validate "marketing images" and "social media images"
3. **@spy:** Monitor "midjourney alternative" — volume declining fast
4. **Product team:** Consider "white background" and "product background" features

---

*Research complete. Primary target validated. Ready for content production.*
