What is Google Ads' keyword planner?
How Exactly Does Google Keyword Planner Work?
Discovering Keywords That Matter
Finding the right keywords is crucial for any campaign, and Google Keyword Planner excels in this area. Whether you’re starting with a few seed keywords, a website URL, or a product category, the tool generates a comprehensive list of related terms tailored to your input.
For example, if you enter “organic coffee” as your seed keyword, you might uncover terms like:
Organic beans
Organic espresso beans
Organic mushroom coffee
But it doesn’t stop there. By entering your website URL, the tool can also reveal content gaps in your SEO strategy. This ensures you’re not just targeting popular terms but also filling voids that competitors might be exploiting. The keyword discovery feature is a goldmine for uncovering new opportunities and expanding your reach.
Decoding Keyword Potential
Having a list of keywords is just the beginning; understanding their potential is where the magic happens. Google Keyword Planner allows you to evaluate keywords through powerful metrics:
Search Volume: See how often a term is searched, helping you prioritize high-value opportunities.
Competition Level: Get insights into how competitive a keyword is, from low to high.
Cost Estimates: Understand the top-of-page bid ranges to gauge the investment required for paid ads.
For instance, targeting a term with high competition and millions of searches, such as “organic coffee beans,” may be expensive and difficult. Instead, keywords like “specialty coffee pods” or “Spanish coffee brands” might offer a sweet spot of moderate traffic and manageable competition, making them more strategic choices.
Forecasting Ad Performance with Confidence
Beyond keyword discovery and analysis, Google Keyword Planner doubles as a forecasting tool for your ad campaigns. It empowers you to predict outcomes and refine strategies with data-backed projections.
Here’s how it works:
Select the keywords for your campaign.
Set your daily budget and maximum bid.
Choose the geographic area you want to target.
Once set, the platform provides a detailed forecast for metrics like clicks, impressions, average position, and conversion rates. For example, targeting keywords like “decaf coffee beans” in Miami might reveal that a modest budget can yield impressive engagement, allowing you to make smarter investment decisions.
Why Is Google Keyword Planner a Must-Have Tool for You?
Imagine you want to write an article about growing indoor plants. Before you start, you need to ensure there’s an audience for it. The best way to find out is by ‘asking’ Google if people are searching for the keyword “growing indoor plants.”
That’s where a keyword planner comes in.
For example, Google Keyword Planner might suggest related terms like “best indoor plants for beginners” or “easy-to-grow houseplants.” Along with these suggestions, it provides data on monthly search volumes and competition levels.
You might discover that while some keywords, like “indoor gardening tips,” have high competition, others, like “low-maintenance indoor plants,” offer a balance of good search volume and lower competition. Targeting such keywords makes your content more likely to stand out.
Here’s how the keyword planner helps:
It provides a list of related keyword ideas.
It shows which keywords have strong potential based on search data.
It identifies competition levels to guide your choices.
Google Keyword Planner, a free tool, gives you access to Google’s valuable search data, making it an excellent starting point. However, there are other keyword planners available if you want to explore further.
Using a keyword planner ensures your content is data-driven, helping you target the right audience and maximize your impact.
Steps to Use Google Keyword Planner
Follow these steps to make the most out of Google Keyword Planner:
1. Access the Tool
Log in to your Google Ads account. If you don’t have one, create a free account.
Navigate to the “Tools & Settings” menu and select Keyword Planner under the “Planning” section.
2. Choose Your Objective
Select one of the two main options:
Discover New Keywords: Use this to find fresh keyword ideas related to your product, service, or content topic.
Get Search Volume and Forecasts: Use this to analyze existing keywords and predict performance.
3. Enter Your Seed Data
Input up to 10 seed keywords, your website URL, or a product category to generate results.
For example, if you’re targeting “organic skincare,” enter that term to get suggestions.
4. Review Keyword Suggestions
Analyze the list of keywords provided by the tool. Look for terms with:
High search volume.
Low to medium competition.
Filter or sort keywords by metrics like competition or bid ranges.
5. Analyze Search Volume and Trends
Look at average monthly searches to determine how popular a keyword is.
Review seasonal trends to find the best time to target specific keywords.
6. Download Your Keyword List
Once you’ve selected your desired keywords, export them as a CSV file for further analysis or to integrate into your SEO and advertising plans.
7. Use Keywords Strategically
Incorporate these keywords into your content, metadata, and ad campaigns.
Track their performance to refine your strategy over time.
Conclusion
In summary, Google Keyword Planner is an essential tool for brands aiming to elevate their content creation and optimize their website strategies.
By utilizing the comprehensive insights and data it offers, businesses can craft highly targeted content, refine their website’s structure, and achieve impactful results that drive growth and success.