SERP Clustering vs Semantic Clustering

Semantic similarity tells you what terms mean. SERP overlap tells you how search engines currently group the destinations that rank.

Semantic clustering

This approach groups phrases by meaning. It is useful for understanding concepts, subtopics and language relationships, but similar wording does not always imply identical search intent.

SERP clustering

This approach groups queries based on overlap among ranking URLs. It can reveal whether separate phrases tend to be satisfied by the same pages.

Use both signals

Start with meaning to understand the topic, then use SERP evidence to decide whether the query families should live together or apart.