Find The Most Searched Keywords
Keywords are used in online marketing to set up pay-per-click (PPC) ads, create meta descriptions and improve search engine optimization (SEO). Determining the most popular keywords can increase the effectiveness of your online marketing. Discover how to find the most searched keywords by using several free Internet-based sites and programs.
Contents
Steps
Google Auto-Complete
- Pick several topics on which you want to find the best keywords. To start keyword research, you can go to the most used search engine, Google.
- Go to Google.com. Type the subject into the search bar.
- Look for the drop down section underneath the search bar that shows search terms that are popular. Depending upon the subject, there can be a few or more than 10 keywords.
- Look for "head" keywords. These are the terms that are the most popular. They are fairly general, and they are the most expensive terms to bid on for PPC ads.
- Also look for long-tail keywords. These are the longer groups of 3 to 5 terms and phrases. They are the terms people use to search for a very specific item. They are less expensive in PPC ads, result in fewer searches, but generally result in the best targeted marketing.
- Write down all the terms on the Google auto-complete that seem like they apply to your site or products.
- Delete the original search term from the Google search bar and try again with a new subject.
Google Trends
- Go to Google.com/trends. Google Trends pulls together information on Google's most popular searches. You can use several tools to find popular keywords.
- Find general popular keywords with Google Trends' Hot Searches. Look for the 2 phrases: "Explore trends" and "Hot searches." They should be located in the upper left area of the screen.
- You will need to sign into your Google account in order to access all of these features.
- Click on "Hot searches" first.
- Choose your country on the left hand side of the page, to target your searches to your country of origin.
- Read through the list of most-searched topics in the country of your choice. These are Google's most popular search terms, and they are usually an indication of popular pop culture, political news and other trending subjects.
- Use these search terms, if you have online content that applies to them. By staying on top of trending search engine topics, you can give your website new relevance.
- Keep in mind that it will be difficult to use these trending keywords with PPC advertising. The best way to use them is to provide quality content that refers to trending topics. Use these keywords in your title, sub-title, URL, image names and articles to produce backlinks that Google gathers and uses to rank your website.
- Return to the Google.com/trends website. This time, click on "Explore Trends."
- Type in a search term/phrase that you have gathered through Google Auto-complete research or other methods. This box is located in the "Search Terms" section on the left side of the page.
- Press "Enter" and type in up to 4 more keywords. Click "Add Term" to add another term to your research.
- Compare the terms using the graphs and other data provided by Google. You can rank your popular keywords through this method.
- There are also similar sites for other search engines, such as search.aol.com/aol/trends, clues.yahoo.com and bing.com/toolbox/keywords. When you are using Google Trends' "Explore Trends" section, you can also specify it be used with YouTube or another of Google's products.
WordStream Suggestion Tool
- Target your long-tail keyword search using WordStream's free keyword suggestion tool. This service can help you establish the most effective phrases you can use.
- Go to wordstream.com/keywords.
- Enter a keyword phrase that you want to check for popularity. Click "Enter."
- Peruse the list of keywords that are similar to the 1 you just entered. This tool can help you find popular long-tail keywords and help you target your marketing more successfully.
- Do up to 30 keyword searches for free. Write down the new long-tail keywords to use with PPC ads and SEO.
- This WordStream tool is especially valuable for PPC ads, because it allows you to bid on terms that will actually be used by people to find and buy products. Once you are able to determine popular, specific keyword phrases, you can improve the value of your PPC marketing.
Website Analytics
- Talk to your web programmer to find out what analytics program your business website is using.
- If you are using WordPress, there is an automated Analytics tool through the "Jetpack" program. Find out how to access it through your dashboard.
- If you do not have a website analytics program to analyze your web traffic, start it now. You can sign up for a free account with Google Analytics, post code onto your website and start tracking traffic within 24 hours.
- Find the section of your analytics program that discusses search terms. Most programs will list the most popular terms that were used to reach your website.
- Make a list of these popular keywords, so that you can continue to include them in your SEO and PPC marketing. As you improve your SEO through the use of popular keywords, you can also see how these terms change or searches decrease or increase in popularity.
- Your research into popular terms may change the search term listed in this area week by week. As you use hot topic keywords, launch marketing campaigns and use long-tail keywords in your PPC ads, your popular search terms are likely to change.
- If the search terms listed in this area are extremely general, you can deduce that you have more competition for clicks with that search term. Targeting other keywords or producing higher quality content can improve your search engine ranking.
Things You'll Need
- Google account
- Website analytics program
- Web programmer
- Google Trends
- WordStream keyword research tool
Related Articles
- Use Google's Keyword Search Tool
- Get the Best Results with Internet Search Engines
- Find Popular Topics Online
- Do Keyword Research
