Step 1: Access Google Keyword Planner
Gaining access to Google Keyword Planner (GKP) is the first step to using it for your search engine optimization (SEO) strategy. If you don’t have one, you need to set up a Google Ads account just to go about this. To set up your account, go to the Google Ads a website and follow the instructions. Once your account has been activated, go to the Google Ads dashboard’s right-hand corner and select the “Tools & Settings” tab. Next, choose “Keyword Planner” from the “Planning” menu.
You don’t need to run actual ads to use the Keywords Planner, but Google may request some initial campaign setup information. This is a great tool that is free to use. The first two options you get when you login to GKP are “Discover new keywords” and “Get search volume and forecasts.” These choices open up to a variety of keyword data that can help you create a successful SEO plan. That having a structured approach to accessing and using the Google Keyword Planner will help you maximize its full potential effectively.
Step 2: Choose Your Tool
Once you enter Google Keyword Planner, you have two main tools available for you: “Discover new keywords” and “Get search volume and forecasts.” Each tool has a different function. “Discover new keywords” is excellent for idea generation and discussion. You can input a seed keyword or a URL that is relevant to your business, and Google will return many of related keywords and phrases. For example, if you go into “digital marketing,” it will suggest a lot of related terms.
The “Get search volume and forecasts” option, on the other hand, allows you to provide a list of previously prepared terms. In relation to those specific keywords, this tool provides you with full information on search traffic, trends, and predicted futures. If you already have a list of possible keywords and would like to have more knowledge of their possible effects, this is especially helpful. You have to choose the right tool for the job, based on how far along you are in the keyword research process—whether you are just starting to collect ideas or working on your plan with specific keywords in mind.
Step 3: Filter and Sort the Results
Getting the most suitable terms for your SEO plan requires filtering out the results after selecting the best tool for generating a list of keywords. Several filtering options are available in Google Keyword Planner to help you reduce your list according to specific requirements. To make sure you reach the correct audience, you can narrow down by language, location, or date range. The last option allows you to target keywords that are relevant to an area.
Negative keywords were terms that are unnecessary or harmful for your content strategy. You may also eliminate them. You can decide which phrases to focus on by selecting the results by metrics like typical monthly searches, competition quantity, and bid estimates. Filtering by average monthly searches, for example, can help you find high-traffic keywords. Choosing by difficulty level, on the other hand, can help you discover less competitive, easier-to-find terms.
Step 4: Analyse the Keyword Ideas Section
Most of your analysis can be found in the Keyword Suggestions section. This section provides an extensive list of keywords related to your seed term as well as important information like average monthly searches, degree of competition, and bid ranges of the highest-performing keywords on the page. To find keywords that can significantly increase traffic to your website, start by analyzing the search volume. These are the terms that typically receive a high number of monthly searches.
Next, assess the competition level. Ranking for highly competitive keywords may be more difficult, particularly
if your SEO resources are low or you have only recently started. Try to find a balance between search volume and competition; for many SEO strategies, medium- to low-competition keywords with good search volumes represent the perfect mix. You may also evaluate a keyword’s commercial worth through a look at the top-of-page bid range; bigger bids usually translate into a keyword that advertisers feel is of greater interest.
Also, it is important to analyze keyword trends. Keywords that see an increase in search volume over time are typically more profitable than those that see a decline or stability in interest. By focusing on terms that have become popular, you can use this trend data to remain ahead of other businesses. Think about how these keywords fit into your writing strategy and business objectives as you study the Keyword Ideas category.
Step 5: Choose a Keyword
Selecting your most effective keywords to target comes after you have done a comprehensive analysis of the data. A number of elements ought to go into this decision, such as search traffic, opposition, content relevancy, and fit with the search goals of your target audience. Give the most importance to keywords that are in line with the topics of your site, have an excellent number of searches, and have reasonable competition.
If a website is about fitness, for example, a keyword like “beginning workout routines” may be more useful than a term which is very popular, like “fitness.” In order to guarantee that your target audience finds information that satisfies what they want and need once they get on your website, the search terms you choose must also match what they are actually searching for.
Prepare a list of keywords organized by content clusters or themes. This framework will help you organize and structure your material more successfully. Remember, the goal is to select keywords that will deliver relevant traffic to your website and help you achieve your overall SEO objectives.
Bonus Step 1: Get Exact Keyword Search Volume Data
While Google Keyword Planner provides a variety of search traffic parameters, higher-quality numbers may assist you improve your keyword strategy. For precise search volume data, you may need to set up an elementary Google Ads campaign. This involves creating an ad with a very low budget—often just a few dollars—and displaying it briefly.
By doing this, you gain access to extra detailed search volume metrics within the Keyword Planner. Exact data enables you to understand the true potential of each keyword, allowing for more accurate targeting and better decision-making. This step can be especially useful for fine-tuning your strategy and ensuring that you are focusing on the most impactful keywords.
Bonus Step 2: The GKP Hack
The Google Keyword Planner hack mixes GKP data with insights from other keyword tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Moz. These applications usually include extra data points, like keyword difficulty, backlink profiles, and deep competitive research. Combining GKP data with these tools enables you to verify your findings and gain a greater understanding of your keywords’ potential.
Also, using Google Trends in conjunction with GKP can help you find seasonal trends and calculate future keyword achievement. This thorough plan makes sure your keyword strategy is powerful, data-driven, and customized to both current and future search trends.
Conclusion
In summary, Google Keyword Planner is an invaluable tool for keyword research and SEO planning. By accessing the tool, choosing the right features, filtering and sorting results, analyzing keyword data, selecting the best keywords, and utilizing advanced techniques like collecting exact search volumes and combining data from multiple sources, you can develop a powerful keyword strategy that drives traffic and improves your site’s search engine rankings.
