How do you use the Google Ads Keyword Planner?
How do you use the Google Ads Keyword Planner? The Google Ads Keyword Planner is an essential tool for marketers and entrepreneurs who want to increase their online visibility. With this tool you can find the right keywords to optimise your ads and content. In this article you will discover everything you need to know about the Google Ads Keyword Planner and how to use it effectively.
What is the Google Ads Keyword Planner?
The Google Ads Keyword Planner is a free tool within Google Ads that helps you find the best keywords for your ads and content. If you don’t have a Google Ads account yet, we have another knowledge base article on how to create a Google Ads account. The tool provides insight into search volume, competition and cost per click, so you can make well-informed decisions about your keyword strategies. The big advantage is that the Keyword Planner is free for anyone with a Google Ads account. This makes it an excellent option for small businesses that don’t (yet) want to invest in tools such as SEMrush.
The Keyword Planner offers countless benefits:
- Finding relevant keywords: Discover which keywords your target audience uses.
- Insight into competition: Understand how competitive certain keywords are.
- Budgeting: Get an idea of the cost per click for your ads.
- SEO and SEA optimisation: Improve both your organic search results and your paid campaigns.
When do you use ‘Discover new keywords’ versus ‘Get search volume and forecasts’?
Discover new keywords is what you use when you want to generate new keyword ideas. This is handy if you are starting a new campaign or want to add new keywords to your existing campaigns. Get search volume and forecasts, you use to analyse the performance of existing keywords. This gives you insight into the search volume and the expected performance of keywords in your campaigns.
How do you use the Keyword Planner?
Here is a step-by-step guide to using the Keyword Planner:
- Log in to Google Ads: Go to the Google Ads website and log in to your account.
- Go to the Keyword Planner: In the menu, choose ‘Tools and Settings’ and select ‘Keyword Planner’.
- Discover new keywords: Click ‘Discover new keywords’ and enter a few basic words or phrases that are relevant to your business.
- Analyse the results: Review the results, including search volume, competition and estimated cost per click.
- Select keywords: Choose the keywords that are most relevant and cost-efficient for your goals.
Tips for using the Keyword Planner effectively
- Use long-tail keywords: Long-tail keywords are specific search phrases that usually consist of three or more words, such as “best coffee machine for home use”. These are often less competitive and can deliver highly targeted traffic.
- Filter by location: Make sure you target your keywords at the right geographic locations.
- Analyse trends: Pay attention to seasonal trends and changing search patterns.
- Look at competitors: Use the tool to gain insight into which keywords your competitors are targeting. If there is high competition on a keyword, you pay more per click. The ideal keyword has a high search volume and low competition.
- Add your keywords to a campaign directly from the Keyword Planner. To do this, click ‘Add to plan’.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Searching too broadly: Specific keywords often deliver better results.
- Don’t ignore competition data: High competition can raise costs considerably.
- Don’t forget negative keywords: These can help exclude irrelevant searches.
The Google Ads Keyword Planner is a powerful tool that every marketer and entrepreneur can use. It helps you find the right keywords, manage your budget and optimise your online marketing efforts. Still need help from our specialists? Feel free to get in touch with us, no obligation!