In the vast field of digital marketing, keywords work as a guide both in content strategy and paid campaigns. Whether you’re optimizing your website for search engines (SEO) or planning on running ads on Google Search Engine, understanding what your audience is searching for is very important. Google Keyword Planner is just the tool you need to use as a digital marketer to identify and target the most relevant keywords. Google Keyword Planner is a powerful tool that helps in identifying keywords for SEO and for Google Ads as well. In this blog, we will understand what Google Keyword Planner is and how to use it, as well as its role in search engine optimization and Google Ads.
What is Google Keyword Planner?
Google Ads Keyword Planner is a tool provided by the Google Ads platform that allows users to:
- Discover new keyword ideas
- See estimated monthly search volumes
- Understand competition levels
- Get cost estimates for running ads on selected keywords
Google Keyword Planner was primarily designed for Google Ads users, but SEO experts turned it into a tool for keyword research. To access the Google Ads keyword planner, you require a Google Ads account.
Key Features of Google Keyword Planner
1. Discover Keywords
Input a product, service, website URL, or category, and Google Keyword Planner will generate a list of relevant keywords and related searches based on the input you provided.
2. Search Volume and Forecasts.
You can view the estimated number of searches(Monthly), competition level (low, medium, high), and cost-per-click (CPC) for each keyword
3. Filtering and Sorting
You can narrow down results by location, language, network (Google or Google and partners), time frame, and other factors to find more relevant keywords.
4. Group Keywords
Google categorizes related keywords into ad groups, which is especially useful for organizing PPC campaigns.
5. Downloadable Reports
It allows you to export keyword ideas and metrics in Excel or Google Sheets formats for further analysis.
Role of Google Keyword Planner in SEO
Google keywords research was primarily done for running Google Ads, but it is incredibly helpful in SEO.
1. Content Planning
Using Google Ads Keyword Planner, you can discover long-tail keywords and the queries that users search on Google. Knowing what type of queries are being searched on Google helps to plan your content properly, providing you a insight on what keywords you should use in your content. For example, if you are running a restaurant, searching ‘restaurants near me’ might show keywords like:
- Indian restaurants near me
- Italian restaurants near me
- Family restaurants near me
2. Search Volume
Digital marketers do Google keyword research to get an insight into what keywords are popular in searches. A keyword with a search volume of 10k or higher might be more logical to use than a keyword with a search volume of 1k or below, but only if you can rank on those keywords. You have to consider the competition before deciding on what keywords to use.
3. Keyword Competition
Understanding the competition is critical it gives you a general idea of how difficult it might be to rank organically on a keyword. A beginner website can’t hope to rank on keywords with high competition, as there already are websites that are ranking on those keywords and have been ranking for a long time, so as a beginner, you can’t hope to outclass those websites. As a beginner, always consider using keywords with low competition. Google Ads keyword planner provides a simple analysis of competition on different keywords.
Role of Google Keyword Planner in Google Ads
Google Key Planner, as a part of the Google Ads suite, plays a critical role in strategizing and running Google Ads campaigns.
1. Cost-Per-Click Estimate
Before running a Google Ads campaign, it is important to know how much a keyword will cost. It provides a cost-per-click(CPC) estimate of a keyword based on its geographical location, competition, and search volume, helping you manage your budget effectively.
2. Bid Strategy Planning
Advertisers can use the tool to see performance forecasts — clicks, impressions, and conversions — based on different bid amounts. These features help in setting realistic budgets and expectations.
3. Refining Target Audience
With options like choosing language, geographical locations, and demographics, digital marketers can plan their keyword strategies to reach the right audience relevant to the business.
Tips for Using Google Keyword Planner
1. Use Keywords Wisely
Search a few broad keywords or phrases relevant to your business, and the Google Keyword Planner will suggest a wide range of ideas related to them.
2. Check Trends Over Time
Use the “Historical Metrics” tab to identify seasonal trends or rising keywords. This is especially helpful for businesses with seasonal products or services.
3. Explore Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords usually have low competition as they convey a specific intent; they may have a lower search volume but often have a high conversion rate. If someone is searching “red running sports shoes,” they might have a higher intent to purchase than someone who is just searching for “sports shoes”.
Rather than just a tool for Google Ads, Google Keyword Planner is a strategic asset for all digital marketers. Whether you are strategizing content for SEO or planning keywords for running a Google Ad campaign, Google Keyword Planner is an important tool in providing the fundamental data you need. It helps you to connect what your audience wants and what your business offers, enabling you to deliver your content to your targeted audience. Users search for keywords related to their problem on search engines like Google and Chrome; these search engines provide them with the content relevant to their search. Understanding and researching the right keywords is important in delivering your content to your target audience. If you use keywords that are used by the users.