What is Keyword Planner?
Google Keyword Planner is a free tool within Google Ads that helps you discover keywords and build effective Search campaigns. It provides insights on keyword search volume, cost estimates, and seasonal forecasts, making it ideal for campaign planning in dynamic markets. The forecasts, refreshed daily, account for recent data from the past 7–10 days and adjust for seasonality.
Key Benefits of Keyword Planner
- Discover New Keywords: Get suggestions based on your products, services, or website.
- See Monthly Search Volume: Check search frequency estimates for potential keywords.
- Estimate Costs: View the average cost-per-click (CPC) for each keyword.
- Organize and Plan Campaigns: Group keywords into categories and use insights to create focused ad campaigns.
How to Use Keyword Planner
- Set Up in Expert Mode: Access to Keyword Planner requires Expert Mode and billing setup in Google Ads. Campaigns can be paused if you’re not ready to spend.
- Create a Keyword Plan:
- Discover New Keywords: Generate keyword ideas by clicking “Discover new keywords.”
- Upload Existing Keywords: Get search volumes and forecasts for existing keywords.
- Analyze Forecasts: Review estimated clicks, conversions, or impressions based on your budget.
- Organize into Ad Groups: Group keywords strategically within your campaigns for better targeting.
Tip: With fluctuating market conditions, consider planning weekly instead of monthly to stay current with market changes.
Best Tools for Keyword Research
In addition to Google Keyword Planner, here are powerful tools that can take your keyword research to the next level:
- SEMrush
SEMrush offers in-depth keyword research, competitive analysis, and tracking tools. It allows users to identify high-traffic keywords, analyze competitors’ keyword strategies, and find content gaps. SEMrush is ideal for both SEO and PPC planning. SEMRUSH Free Keyword Research Toolkit
- Ahrefs
Known for backlink analysis, Ahrefs also provides robust keyword research. The “Keyword Explorer” tool gives insights into keyword volume, difficulty, and click-through rates, helping refine targeting strategies. Free Keyword Generator
- Moz Keyword Explorer
Moz’s Keyword Explorer enables marketers to find high-potential keywords with low competition. Insights on keyword difficulty, SERP analysis, and CTR make it excellent for prioritizing keywords likely to rank. Get full access to Moz Pro free for 30 days!
- AnswerThePublic
AnswerThePublic aggregates popular questions and search queries, making it perfect for finding long-tail keywords. This tool helps you create content that addresses user intent and builds audience engagement. Register for a free account and get 3 Daily searches and your Your searches (historical)
Pro Tip: Use a combination of these tools for maximum impact. Start with Google Keyword Planner for a foundational list, refine with Ahrefs or SEMrush, and use AnswerThePublic to discover question-based keywords that resonate with audience interests.
