Ask HN: How do you discover real user needs without relying on keyword tools?
I’ve been using tools like SEMrush and Similarweb to find keywords for small tools, but I increasingly feel stuck:
- Most “easy” keywords have very small volume
- Harder keywords often point to domains I don’t actually understand
- Even when I find a keyword, the real user intent is often unclear
- There’s a big gap between a keyword and knowing who the users are, where they hang out, and how to talk to them
SEO feels passive, while talking to real users feels active — but much harder to systematize.
For those who’ve built small tools or indie products: how do you approach demand discovery today? What did you replace keyword-driven thinking with, if anything?
- Most “easy” keywords have very small volume - Harder keywords often point to domains I don’t actually understand - Even when I find a keyword, the real user intent is often unclear - There’s a big gap between a keyword and knowing who the users are, where they hang out, and how to talk to them
SEO feels passive, while talking to real users feels active — but much harder to systematize.
For those who’ve built small tools or indie products: how do you approach demand discovery today? What did you replace keyword-driven thinking with, if anything?