Keyword Research: How To Use Google Keyword Planner

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Keyword Research: How to Use Google Keyword Planner

Alright, guys, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of keyword research using one of the most powerful (and free!) tools out there: the Google Keyword Planner. If you're looking to boost your SEO, drive more traffic to your website, or just understand what people are searching for, you're in the right place. This guide will walk you through the ins and outs of using the Google Keyword Planner to find those golden keywords that can make a real difference.

What is Google Keyword Planner?

Google Keyword Planner is a free tool provided by Google Ads. It's designed to help advertisers research keywords for their campaigns, but it's also an invaluable resource for anyone looking to improve their SEO and content strategy. With it, you can discover new keywords, analyze their search volume, and estimate the cost of bidding on them in Google Ads. Even if you're not planning on running ads, the insights you gain from this tool are super useful.

Why Use Google Keyword Planner for Keyword Research?

Using Google Keyword Planner offers a plethora of benefits for anyone serious about their online presence. First off, it's a direct line to Google's own data. This means you're getting insights straight from the source about what people are searching for. Understanding the demand for specific keywords helps you tailor your content to match user intent, increasing the likelihood that your content will rank higher in search results. Plus, the tool provides crucial data points like average monthly searches, competition levels, and suggested bids, which are all essential for making informed decisions about your SEO and content strategies. For example, knowing that a particular keyword has high search volume but low competition can be a goldmine, indicating an opportunity to create content that can rank easily and attract a significant amount of traffic. Moreover, the Keyword Planner can help you brainstorm new keyword ideas you might not have considered, expanding your reach and connecting you with a broader audience. It's not just about finding keywords; it's about understanding the landscape of search and strategically positioning yourself within it. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting, the insights from Google Keyword Planner are indispensable for achieving your online goals. Also, it's free. Need I say more?

Step-by-Step: How to Search Keywords

Okay, let's get into the actual steps. Here’s how to use the Google Keyword Planner to find keywords that will rock your world.

Step 1: Accessing Google Keyword Planner

First things first, you need to access the Google Keyword Planner. To do this, you'll need a Google account. If you don’t have one, create one – it's free and easy. Once you have a Google account, go to the Google Ads website (ads.google.com) and sign in. If you've never used Google Ads before, you might need to go through a basic setup process. Don't worry, you don't need to create an actual ad campaign to use the Keyword Planner. After logging in, look for the "Tools & Settings" option in the top menu. Click on it, and you'll find "Keyword Planner" in the dropdown menu. Click on that, and you're in!

Step 2: Choosing Your Approach: Discover New Keywords vs. Get Search Volume and Forecasts

Once you're in the Keyword Planner, you'll see two main options:

  • Discover new keywords: This is where you start if you're looking for fresh keyword ideas.
  • Get search volume and forecasts: Use this option if you already have a list of keywords and want to see their search volume and other metrics.

For this guide, we'll focus on "Discover new keywords" to find some exciting new opportunities.

Step 3: Entering Seed Keywords

When you click on "Discover new keywords", you'll be prompted to enter seed keywords. Seed keywords are the initial terms or phrases that the Keyword Planner will use to generate a list of related keywords. Think of them as the starting point for your keyword research. For example, if you run a bakery, your seed keywords might be "custom cakes," "wedding cupcakes," and "chocolate brownies." Enter a few relevant seed keywords that describe your business or the topic you're interested in. You can enter multiple keywords separated by commas or line breaks. Also, you can provide a website related to your keywords.

Step 4: Refining Your Search with Location and Language Targeting

Before you hit that search button, take a moment to refine your search by setting the location and language targeting. By default, the Keyword Planner targets all locations and languages, which might not be relevant to your specific needs. If you're targeting a local audience, specify the countries, regions, or cities you're interested in. Similarly, select the languages that your target audience speaks. This ensures that the keyword suggestions you receive are relevant to your target market, helping you avoid wasting time on keywords that won't drive valuable traffic. To adjust these settings, look for the location and language options near the top of the Keyword Planner interface. Click on them to open a modal window where you can specify your desired settings. Once you've made your selections, click "Save" to apply the changes.

Step 5: Analyzing Keyword Results

After entering your seed keywords and setting your targeting options, click "Get Results" to generate a list of keyword suggestions. The Keyword Planner will display a table containing a wealth of information about each keyword, including:

  • Keyword: The suggested keyword.
  • Avg. monthly searches: The average number of times the keyword is searched for each month.
  • Competition: The level of competition for the keyword in Google Ads (High, Medium, Low).
  • Top of page bid (low range): The lowest bid amount that advertisers are willing to pay to show their ads on the top of the search results page.
  • Top of page bid (high range): The highest bid amount that advertisers are willing to pay to show their ads on the top of the search results page.

Analyze these metrics to identify keywords that have high search volume, low competition, and reasonable bid ranges. These are the keywords that offer the best opportunity to drive traffic to your website.

Step 6: Filtering and Sorting Keywords

To further refine your keyword list, use the filtering and sorting options provided by the Keyword Planner. You can filter keywords based on various criteria, such as average monthly searches, competition level, and word count. For example, you can filter out keywords with low search volume or high competition to focus on the most promising opportunities. Additionally, you can sort the keyword list by any of the available metrics to quickly identify the keywords that meet your specific criteria. For example, you can sort the list by average monthly searches in descending order to see the most popular keywords at the top. Experiment with different filtering and sorting options to narrow down your keyword list and find the hidden gems that can drive significant traffic to your website.

Step 7: Grouping Keywords

Once you have your list of keywords, it's a good idea to group them into relevant themes. This helps you organize your content and target specific topics with each page or blog post. For example, if you're writing about "custom cakes," you might group keywords like "birthday cakes," "wedding cakes," and "anniversary cakes" together. Grouping keywords also makes it easier to create targeted ad campaigns if you decide to use Google Ads in the future.

Step 8: Downloading Your Keyword List

Finally, download your keyword list for future reference. The Keyword Planner allows you to export your keyword data in a CSV file, which you can then open in a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. This makes it easy to analyze your keywords, track their performance, and share them with your team. To download your keyword list, look for the download icon (usually a downward-pointing arrow) in the top right corner of the Keyword Planner interface. Click on it, select the CSV format, and save the file to your computer. Congratulations, you've successfully used the Google Keyword Planner to find valuable keywords for your business!

Tips and Tricks for Better Keyword Research

To make the most out of Google Keyword Planner, here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind:

  • Use Long-Tail Keywords: Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that people use when they're closer to making a purchase. They often have lower search volume but can be highly effective because they target a very specific audience.
  • Analyze Competitor Keywords: See what keywords your competitors are targeting. Enter their website into the Keyword Planner to get ideas.
  • Think Like Your Audience: Put yourself in your customer's shoes. What would they search for to find your products or services?
  • Regularly Update Your Keywords: Keyword trends change over time. Regularly review and update your keyword list to stay relevant.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with a powerful tool like the Google Keyword Planner, it's easy to make mistakes that can derail your keyword research efforts. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:

  • Ignoring User Intent: Don't just focus on keywords with high search volume. Consider the intent behind the keywords. Are users looking to buy something, find information, or compare options? Align your content with the user's intent to increase the likelihood of attracting qualified traffic.
  • Overlooking Long-Tail Keywords: While broad keywords might seem appealing due to their high search volume, long-tail keywords can be incredibly valuable. They target specific niches and often have lower competition, making it easier to rank for them. Don't overlook these hidden gems when conducting your keyword research.
  • Neglecting Negative Keywords: Negative keywords are terms that you don't want your ads to show up for. By adding negative keywords to your campaigns, you can prevent your ads from being displayed to irrelevant audiences, saving you money and improving your campaign performance. Make sure to regularly review your search query reports and add any irrelevant terms as negative keywords.

Conclusion

The Google Keyword Planner is a fantastic tool for anyone looking to improve their SEO and understand their audience better. By following these steps and keeping these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to finding keywords that can drive more traffic and grow your business. Happy keyword hunting, guys!