# Keyword Strategy: English vs German Primary for HR Topics

**Last Updated:** 2026-02-13

## Summary

For HR topics with both English and German variants (e.g. Employee Engagement / Mitarbeiterengagement), run SISTRIX before finalizing the primary keyword. English primary often wins for German HR audiences due to established terminology.

## Precedents

| Topic | Primary | SISTRIX Volume (DE) | Notes |
|-------|---------|--------------------|-------|
| Work-Life-Balance | Work-Life-Balance | English primary | Established term in German HR |
| Generation Alpha | Generation Alpha | 16,800 (no German variant) | English primary; same pattern as Work-Life-Balance |
| Employee Engagement | Employee Engagement | 1,400 vs 300 (Mitarbeiterengagement) | English primary |
| Employer Branding | Employer Branding | Check SISTRIX | Likely English primary |

## Workflow

1. **Scaffold** with placeholder if needed; run `run-new-post-pipeline.php` early.
2. **Compare volumes** in `data/keywords-sistrix.json` for both terms.
3. **Decision rule:** If German volume > 1.5× English volume, consider German primary.
4. **Document** in `KEYWORD_DECISION.md` with SISTRIX data and rationale.

## References

- [blog-new-post-creation.mdc](.cursor/rules/blog-new-post-creation.mdc) – Workflow
- [v2/data/blog/posts/lexikon/work-life-balance.json](v2/data/blog/posts/lexikon/work-life-balance.json) – English primary pattern
- [posts/lexikon/employee-engagement/KEYWORD_DECISION.md](posts/lexikon/employee-engagement/KEYWORD_DECISION.md) – Employee Engagement decision