How to use google keyword planner for keyword research (Guide)

The goal of every website owner is to enjoy a good ranking on search engines and attract more traffic. Google is one of the most popular search engines that you should understand how it works to optimize your website and content successfully. Keywords are vital when developing an SEO content. Therefore, before you start writing any content for your website, do some research to understand the keywords in your niche. The good news is that Google has a keyword planner tool that will help you identify the most searched keywords in your field. 

So, what is a keyword?

Keywords are specific words that internet users search on search engines when looking for information, products, or services. 

Every niche has its main keywords. For your website to be ranked high on search engines, you must ensure that you use the relevant keywords in your site content. 

However, don’t overuse the keywords, include them naturally in your content. Search engines such as Google have developed AI systems that detect correctly used keywords and relevancy. Misusing could have a negative effect on your website ranking. On the other hand, always make sure your content is also relevant to your niche. High-quality content plays a vital role in website ranking. You can consult digital marketing experts to help you in optimizing your site content for SEO. 

How do you get the keywords for your website content?

Before thinking about content for your website, identify the right keywords searched by a majority of the internet users. Google has always helped website owners through the Google keyword tool, which is now known as Google keyword planner. Using the tool allows you to identify the keywords that people are searching on the internet. Then you can find a way of including the keywords in your website content. However, very few people understand how to use Google keyword planner for keyword search. 

How to use Google Planner for keyword search 

As mentioned earlier, keyword search is very vital in the SEO strategy development. That means you need to have a proper keyword tool to enable you to identify your audience’s behaviour. You need to know what your target audience is searching for on the search engines and use that in your digital marketing strategy. Today, we look deeper into Google Keyword Planner (GKP) tool. 

The keyword search might sound hectic, but it’s smooth when using the right tools. Google Keyword Planner is among the best tools that you utilize in your Keyword Search. The internet space is very dynamic; what internet users were searching for last month may not be what they’re searching for today. Therefore, to successfully run your PPC, PPV, and other Digital marketing campaigns, Google Keyword planner should be at the core of your strategy. 

Google keyword planner
Google keyword planner

Steps for using Google Keyword planners

  1. Access the Google Keyword Planner tool

The good news is that Keyword planner is an easy-to-access tool and you don’t need to pay anything to use it. However, it would help if you had a Google Ads account to access and use Google keyword planner. The Good Ads account is also straightforward to set up just in case you don’t have one. Just search Google Ads account, follow the easy procedure, and create the account within a few minutes. After that, now log in to your Google AdWords account and click the wrench icon at the top page of your toolbar. Then choose the Keyword planner.

At that point, you will see two tools after clicking the Keyword planner option, (Discover New Keywords and Get search volume forecast).  The two tools are essential in SOE-focused keyword research as they generate thousands of potential keywords within your niche. Google keyword planner is designed for Pay per Click, advertisers. That’s why it has many features, such as keyword bidding, which won’t be relevant to you if you’re using the tool for keyword research.

  • Choose your tool

As mentioned above, once you click the Google Keyword Tool, you get two more features. The tools are also very essential for SEO campaigns. 

Discover New Keywords 

As the name suggests, the tool is designed to help you find new keywords that you can use in your website content. Just click the Discover New Keyword option inside GKP, you will get a search box requesting you to enter the product, or services that are related to your niche. Now that’s where you should enter your information, for instance, if you’re doing digital marketing, you should enter that in the search box.

Note that Keyword planners give you the results based on the information you enter in the search box. Therefore, try to be more strategic and specific in your niche. Start with words or phrases describing your business. This will enable you to access Google’s internal keyword database for various industries. 

Prop Tip; you’re allowed to enter multiple words in the search GKP search tool. Just use a comma to separate the words then click enter. You will get all the related keywords. Now, click the “Get results” option. 

Get search volume and forecast 

This is another tool inside the Google keyword planner. It’s only useful when you already have the list of the potential keywords that you’re considering using in your content. The feature helps you to know the search volume of every keyword. An experienced digital marker will always utilize this tool to get a forecast of how internet users have been using the keywords on the list. To use the get search volume and forecast feature, paste your keyword list into the search box and get started. Google predicts will display the impressions and clicks you will get from using the keywords entered.

  • Sort and Filter the results

The next step is to narrow down the keyword results to a small list that is best for your business. You cannot use all the keywords you have discovered from GKP. Following the steps keenly, both Google keyword planner features will take you to the keywords results page. The page will show you each keyword statistic, how it has been searched on a monthly average basis. However, on the results page, you will see some options that you need to set, such as Location, language, Data range, and search network. All the options will help you achieve your SEO goals. 

Search engine optimization is affected by those four areas;

  • Location; the area or country where your target audience is; restrict your keyword search to your region of interest 
  • Language; this is the language of your keywords. If the keywords are in English, then you’re targeting English speakers, and so are other languages. The Google Keyword planner has a default setting of the language, which is English for the United States of America audience. Just in case you’re targeting a different audience or language, you will have to change the options. 
  • Search networks; here, you’re given a choice, to advertise on Google alone or include their search partners. There are various Google search partners such as other search engines or even Google properties such as YouTube
  • Data range; you have the option to change the time frame for the keyword data, but it’s always advisable to leave it at the default 12 months range. That will give you the keywords forecast for the past one year. 

Add Filter 

This feature allows you to use various keyword filtering options and get down to the best keywords for your business. You can utilize the following filtering options; 

  1. Keyword text 

Here you can set the tool only to show you the keywords containing specific words or phrases. 

  • Exclude keywords 

This feature allows you to exclude some words in the keywords more so those with adult ideas. 

  • Average monthly searches

Here you can filter to only get keywords with the most significant volumes of searches per month. Of course, you’re looking for keywords that will attract more traffic to your website. Therefore, this feature will be essential for any website owner or digital marketer. 

  • Competition 

The keyword planner will always show you the level of competition for every keyword. The tool will display the level of competition for every keyword, either low, medium, or high. You can filter that depending on what you need. 

  • Analyze Keyword Ideas Section

After filtering all the results and narrowed down to your main keywords suitable to your business, the next step is to analyze the ideas section. Here is what the terms in every section mean;

Keyword (by relevance); Here is the list of the keywords Google feels are more relevant to the URL or keyword you searched. 

Avg. Monthly searches; this is an overview of the range within which some keywords have been searched. It’s an estimate and not super accurate. 

Also, remember to watch out for the seasonal keywords. For instance, some keywords may enjoy over 50,000 searches in January but in May end up getting 100 searches. To that effect, the Google keyword planner will give an average search for all those months. Therefore, you may have to hire a digital marketing expert to help you analyze the data professionally. 

Competition; this is useful for the advertisers and not for SEO. Competition refers to the number of advertisers bidding on the same keyword. 

  • Choose your keyword

Now that you have known how to use all the features on the Google keyword planner. It’s time to choose the best keywords that you will use in your website content. The GKP will give you a number of potential keywords that you should consider. However, choosing the right for your site is more of an art than science. 

Discover new keyword tool, which will only allow you to find the new keywords in your niche that you may have yet to think about. The data from GKP is also a factor to consider. All that information you get from the tool is vital in choosing the best keywords for your website. Here are three main factors to consider while picking your keywords;

Relevance; the Google word planner will always rank the keywords you are searching for, from the most relevant. However, that doesn’t mean that you choose the keywords blindly. Do your analysis and select the keywords that you think are more relevant to your website. The GKP gives you more information on the relevant keywords in your niche. 

Search Volume; go for a keyword with the highest search volume. The more the keyword search volume, the more the traffic it can attract. As a website owner, all that matters to you is the traffic. Therefore, look at the Average search volume section and avoid the keywords with low search volumes. 

Commercial Intent; how do you intend to make money via your website? The higher the keyword competition, the higher the chances of converting your audience into cash. It would, therefore, be a good idea to choose keywords with high completion. 

Organic SEO competition; just like in commercial intent, you need to analyze your keyword’s competition. For instance, look at the high-ranking websites in your niche and think of how you can outrank them. The best strategy is to include the most competitive keywords in your site content. Just in case you get stuck, never mind, get yourself the best digital marketing experts to help you out. 

Conclusion 

In summary, Google Keyword Planner is an essential tool that you should always use to get the right keywords for your website. Keywords attract traffic to your website. Thus, it would help if you do some keyword research before writing any website content. The tool will help you discover new keywords in your niche. On the other hand, the GKP tool provides keyword forecast data, which gives an overview of how specific keywords have been performing. Utilize the data, and choose the best keywords that will guarantee you traffic on your site. For more information, reach out to digital marketing experts to help you better understand the Google Keyword Planner tool. 

Author Bio-

Shanta Narang is a Passionate, amiable, dynamic, and result-oriented digital marketing professional with over 12 years of experience in SEO, content management, brand marketing, business management, and educational counseling. She facilitates digital transformation initiatives for organizations to help them grow in the online platform. Being a DM Specialist, She helps companies to succeed in their business with the help of the latest trends and technology.

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin


Twitter- https://twitter.com/SEOwithShanta

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/seowithshanta

Linkedin- https://www.linkedin.com/in/seowithshanta/