Keyword Planner: Which Columns Are Best For SEO?

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Keyword Planner: Which Columns are Best for SEO?

Alright, guys, so you're diving into the Google Keyword Planner to boost your SEO game? Awesome! The Keyword Planner is a fantastic tool, but with all those columns and metrics, it can feel a bit overwhelming. Don't worry, we're going to break down which columns are the real MVPs for your SEO strategy. Understanding which columns to focus on will save you time and help you pinpoint the most promising keywords for your website or content. It’s like having a treasure map, but instead of gold, you're hunting for high-ranking keywords. Let's get started and turn you into a Keyword Planner pro!

Diving into the Key Columns for SEO Success

When it comes to SEO, not all columns in the Keyword Planner are created equal. Some provide insights that are absolutely crucial, while others are more like nice-to-know information. Here’s a breakdown of the key columns you should be paying attention to:

1. Keyword (obviously!)

Okay, this one's a no-brainer, but it's worth mentioning. The Keyword column shows you the actual keywords and phrases that Google suggests based on your initial seed keywords or website. This is where your keyword research begins. Look closely at the variations and related terms. Are there long-tail keywords you hadn't considered? Are there any surprises in the list? Sometimes, Google will throw you a curveball that turns out to be a goldmine. Make sure you're also paying attention to the relevance of the keywords. Just because a keyword has high search volume doesn't mean it's a good fit for your business. Relevance is key! This will help you tailor your content to exactly what users are searching for, increasing your chances of ranking higher and attracting the right kind of traffic. So, keep a close eye on this column and let it guide you to new and exciting keyword opportunities. This is the foundation upon which your entire SEO strategy is built.

2. Avg. Monthly Searches

Avg. Monthly Searches is a critical column because it tells you how many people are searching for a particular keyword each month. This gives you an idea of the potential traffic you could get if you rank for that keyword. However, don't just go after the keywords with the highest search volume. Consider the competition and your website's authority. It might be easier to rank for a keyword with lower search volume but also lower competition. Think of it like fishing: would you rather fish in a lake with a million fish but a thousand other fishermen, or a smaller lake with fewer fish but only a handful of other fishermen? The sweet spot is finding keywords with a decent search volume and manageable competition. Also, pay attention to the trends in search volume. Is the search volume for a particular keyword increasing or decreasing over time? This can give you insights into the seasonality and long-term potential of that keyword. Remember, data is your friend!

3. Competition

The Competition column gives you a sense of how many other advertisers are bidding on a particular keyword in Google Ads. While this isn't a direct measure of organic competition (i.e., how difficult it is to rank in the organic search results), it can be a useful indicator. Generally, if a keyword has high competition in Google Ads, it's likely to be competitive in the organic search results as well. However, don't rely solely on this metric. Use other tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Moz to get a more accurate picture of the organic competition. These tools can show you the domain authority of the websites that are ranking for a particular keyword, which is a much better indicator of how difficult it will be to outrank them. Also, consider the type of content that's ranking for the keyword. Is it blog posts, product pages, or videos? This will give you an idea of the type of content you need to create to compete. Ultimately, the competition column is just one piece of the puzzle. Use it in conjunction with other metrics to get a well-rounded view of the keyword landscape.

4. Top of Page Bid (Low Range) and Top of Page Bid (High Range)

These columns show you the estimated cost per click (CPC) for a keyword in Google Ads. While you might not be running paid ads, these numbers can still be valuable for SEO. Keywords with a high top of page bid are generally more valuable to businesses, which means they're likely to be competitive in the organic search results as well. These columns give you an idea of the commercial intent behind a keyword. Are people searching for this keyword looking to buy something? If so, it might be worth targeting even if the search volume is relatively low. Also, pay attention to the difference between the low range and the high range. A large difference might indicate that the competition is highly variable, depending on the quality score and bidding strategy of the advertisers. Use this information to inform your content strategy and target keywords that align with your business goals. In short, don't ignore these columns just because you're not running ads. They can provide valuable insights into the value and commercial intent of a keyword.

5. Trend

The Trend column shows you the historical search volume for a keyword over the past 12 months. This can help you identify seasonal trends and understand whether a keyword is becoming more or less popular over time. For example, if you're running an e-commerce store that sells Christmas decorations, you'll want to target keywords like "Christmas ornaments" and "Christmas lights" during the holiday season. The Trend column can help you identify the peak months for these keywords so you can plan your content and marketing campaigns accordingly. Also, pay attention to long-term trends. Is the search volume for a particular keyword steadily increasing or decreasing over time? This can give you insights into the long-term potential of that keyword. For example, if you're in the electric vehicle industry, you'll notice that the search volume for keywords like "electric cars" and "EV charging stations" has been steadily increasing over the past few years. This indicates that the demand for electric vehicles is growing, which means it's a good industry to be in. So, use the Trend column to stay ahead of the curve and identify emerging trends in your industry. This will help you make informed decisions about which keywords to target and how to optimize your content for the future.

Ignoring the Noise: Columns That Matter Less for SEO

While the columns above are super important, some columns in the Keyword Planner are less relevant for SEO purposes. Here are a few you can safely ignore (or at least not prioritize):

  • Account Status: This column is only relevant if you're running Google Ads. It shows you whether a keyword is active or paused in your account. If you're focused on SEO, you can safely ignore this column.
  • Ad Group: This column shows you which ad group a keyword belongs to in your Google Ads account. Again, this is only relevant if you're running paid ads.
  • Campaign: Similar to the Ad Group column, this shows you which campaign a keyword belongs to. Ignore it if you're not doing PPC.

Putting It All Together: Building Your SEO Strategy

Now that you know which columns to focus on, it's time to put it all together and build your SEO strategy. Here's a step-by-step approach:

  1. Start with seed keywords: Enter a few broad keywords related to your business or website into the Keyword Planner. These are your starting points.
  2. Analyze the results: Look at the Keyword column to identify new keyword opportunities. Pay attention to the Avg. Monthly Searches, Competition, Top of Page Bid, and Trend columns to evaluate the potential of each keyword.
  3. Filter and refine: Use the Keyword Planner's filters to narrow down your results. For example, you can filter by search volume, competition, or CPC.
  4. Group keywords: Group related keywords together into themes or topics. This will help you create targeted content that addresses the needs of your audience.
  5. Create content: Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that targets your chosen keywords. Make sure your content is optimized for search engines, but don't sacrifice readability for the sake of SEO.
  6. Track your results: Use Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your rankings, traffic, and conversions. This will help you measure the success of your SEO efforts and identify areas for improvement.

Final Thoughts

The Google Keyword Planner is a powerful tool for SEO, but it's only as good as the person using it. By understanding which columns are most important and how to use them effectively, you can unlock a wealth of keyword opportunities and drive more traffic to your website. So, go forth and conquer the Keyword Planner, guys! Remember to focus on relevance, competition, and trends, and don't be afraid to experiment and try new things. SEO is a marathon, not a sprint, so be patient and persistent, and you'll eventually see the results you're looking for. Happy keyword hunting!