Learn Keyword Research for Google Search Ads with Google Keyword Planner |
Keyword research is a crucial step in optimizing your Google Search Ads campaign. Google Keyword Planner is a powerful tool provided by Google Ads that helps you discover relevant keywords and estimate their search volume and competition. Here's a step-by-step guide on conducting keyword research using Google Keyword Planner:
Access Google Keyword Planner: Log in to your Google Ads account (or create one if you don't have it) and navigate to the Tools & Settings menu. Under the Planning section, select "Keyword Planner."
Start a new search: Click on the "Discover new keywords" option. Here, you have two options: "Start with keywords" and "Start with a website." Choose the option that suits your needs.
Start with keywords: Enter a few seed keywords or phrases related to your product, service, or industry. For example, if you're selling running shoes, you can enter keywords like "running shoes," "athletic footwear," or "sports shoes."
Start with a website: If you have a website or a specific landing page, you can enter its URL. Google Keyword Planner will analyze your website and suggest keywords based on its content.
Customize your search settings: Refine your search settings based on your requirements. You can specify the location, language, and search network (Google or Google and search partners). You can also set a specific date range or leave it open-ended.
Review keyword ideas: Google Keyword Planner will provide you with a list of keyword ideas based on your input. These keyword ideas are categorized into ad groups, making it easier to organize your campaigns. Explore the different ad groups to discover relevant keywords.
Analyze keyword metrics: Alongside each keyword idea, Google Keyword Planner provides valuable metrics such as average monthly searches, competition level, and suggested bid. These metrics help you evaluate the potential of each keyword and decide which ones to target.
Average monthly searches: This metric indicates the average number of searches that a keyword receives per month. Choose keywords with a decent search volume to ensure visibility.
Competition level: This metric represents the level of competition among advertisers bidding on a particular keyword. High competition means many advertisers are targeting the keyword, which could drive up the cost per click (CPC). Consider both high and low competition keywords to balance visibility and cost.
Suggested bid: The suggested bid provides an estimate of how much you may need to bid to compete for a keyword in the ad auction. Higher bids typically result in better ad placement.
Refine your keyword list: Based on the metrics and relevance, select the keywords you want to target. You can add them to a plan, download them, or directly add them to your Google Ads campaign.
Expand keyword ideas: In addition to the initial keyword suggestions, you can further expand your list by clicking on the "Get search volume and forecasts" option for specific keywords. This feature provides more insights into individual keywords, including historical trends, seasonality, and forecasted performance.
Remember that keyword research is an ongoing process. Continuously monitor the performance of your keywords, make adjustments based on data, and explore new keyword opportunities to optimize your Google Search Ads campaigns.