Google Keyword Planner

Introduction to Google Keyword Planner

Google Keyword Planner is a free keyword research tool provided by Google Ads that helps website owners, SEO professionals, bloggers, digital marketers, and business owners find the right keywords for their content, websites, and advertising campaigns.

If you want to:

• Increase website traffic
• Improve SEO rankings
• Find profitable keywords
• Plan Google Ads campaigns
• Understand keyword search volume and competition

Then, Google Keyword Planner is an essential tool.

This article explains everything from scratch, so even if you are a beginner, you can easily understand and use this tool effectively.

What Is Google Keyword Planner?

Google Keyword Planner is a tool inside Google Ads that allows users to:

• Discover new keywords related to a topic
• Check monthly search volume
• Analyze keyword competition
• Find cost-per-click (CPC) data
• Plan SEO and PPC strategies
• Identify keyword trends

It was originally designed for advertisers, but today it is widely used for SEO keyword research.

Why Google Keyword Planner Is Important for SEO?

Keyword research is the foundation of SEO. Without proper keywords, your content may never reach your target audience.

Google Keyword Planner helps you:

• Understand what people search on Google
• Target keywords with high search demand
• Avoid highly competitive keywords
• Create content users actually want
• Improve organic traffic and conversions

Who Should Use Google Keyword Planner?

This tool is useful for:

• Bloggers
• SEO professionals
• Digital marketers
• Content writers
• Website owners
• E-commerce store owners
• YouTubers
• Affiliate marketers
• Small business owners

Requirements to Use Google Keyword Planner

Before using Google Keyword Planner, you need:

• A Google account (Gmail)
• A Google Ads account (free to create)

You do not need to run paid ads to use basic features.

How to Sign Up for Google Keyword Planner (Step by Step)?

Step 1: Create a Google Account

If you already have a Gmail account, skip this step.

Otherwise:

• Go to the Google account creation page
• Enter your name, email, and password
• Verify your account

Step 2: Sign Up for Google Ads

1. Open Google Ads website
2. Click on Start NowSign in with your Google account
3. Choose Switch to Expert Mode
4. Click Create an account without a campaign
5. Fill basic business details
6. Submit and complete setup

Your Google Ads account is now ready.

Google Keyword Planner Login Process

Step-by-Step Login Guide

1. Open Google Ads website
2. Click on Sign In
3. Enter your Gmail email
4. Enter your password
5. Access Google Ads dashboard

How to Access Google Keyword Planner?

After login:

1. Go to Google Ads dashboard
2. Click Tools & Settings
3. Under Planning, click Keyword Planner
4. You will see two main options:
   • Discover new keywords
   • Get search volume and forecasts

Main Features of Google Keyword Planner

Google Keyword Planner provides powerful features such as:

• Keyword ideas generation
• Monthly search volume
• Competition level
• CPC (cost per click)
• Keyword trends
• Location-based data
• Language targeting
• Device targeting

Option 1: Discover New Keywords (Complete Guide)

This feature is used to find new keyword ideas.

How to Use Discover New Keywords?

1. Click Discover New Keywords
2. Choose one option:
   • Start with keywords
   • Start with a website

Start with Keywords (Example)

Suppose your topic is “seo”

1. Enter keywords like:
   • digital marketing
   • seo
   • online marketing
2. Select language and location
3. Click Get Results

Results You Will See

You will get a list showing:

• Keyword ideas
• Average monthly searches
• Competition (Low, Medium, High)
• Top of page bid (low and high range)

This data helps you decide which keyword is best.

Option 2: Start with a Website

This feature is useful if:

• You want competitor keyword ideas
• You want keywords from your own website

Steps:

1. Enter website URL
2. Choose:
   • Use the entire site
   • Use only this page
3. Click Get Results

Google will suggest keywords related to that website.

Option 3: Get Search Volume and Forecasts

This feature is used when you already have keywords.

How to Use It

1. Click Get Search Volume and Forecasts
2. Paste keywords (one per line)
3. Click Get Started

Data You Will See

• Monthly search volume
• Forecast clicks
• Forecast impressions
• Competition
• CPC estimates

Understanding Keyword Metrics in Google Keyword Planner

1. Average Monthly Searches

Shows how many times a keyword is searched per month.

• High volume = more traffic
• Low volume = easier ranking

2. Competition

Indicates how many advertisers bid for a keyword.

• Low competition = good for SEO
• High competition = difficult to rank

3. Top of Page Bid (CPC)

Shows cost advertisers pay per click.

• High CPC = high commercial value
• Low CPC = informational keyword

How to Choose the Best Keywords for SEO

Follow these rules:

• Medium search volume
• Low to medium competition
• Relevant to your content
• Clear search intent

Keyword Intent Types Explained

Informational Keywords

User wants information.
Examples:

• what is seo
• google keyword planner guide

Navigational Keywords

User wants a website.
Examples:

• google ads login
• keyword planner tool

Transactional Keywords

User wants to buy.
Examples:

• seo services price
• keyword research tool paid

Using Google Keyword Planner for Blog Content

Step-by-Step Blog Keyword Research

1. Choose topic
2. Find seed keywords
3. Analyze volume and competition
4. Select long-tail keywords
5. Create content around keywords

Example Blog Keyword Selection

Topic: SEO Tools

Selected keywords:

• google keyword planner
• keyword research tool
• free seo keyword tool
• how to find keywords

Using Google Keyword Planner for YouTube SEO

You can also use it for:

• Video titles
• Video descriptions
• YouTube tags

Choose keywords with:

• Medium volume
• Low competition

Using Google Keyword Planner for E-Commerce

E-commerce benefits include:

• Product keyword research
• Category keyword selection
• Buyer intent keywords
• High CPC keywords

Advanced Features of Google Keyword Planner

Location Targeting

You can target keywords by:

• Country
• State
• City

Useful for local SEO.

Language Targeting

Choose keywords in:

• English
• Hindi
• Any supported language

Keyword Filters

You can filter keywords by:

• Search volume
• Competition
• CPC
• Keyword text

Keyword Filters

You can filter keywords by:

• Search volume
• Competition
• CPC
• Keyword text

Google Keyword Planner Limitations

Although powerful, it has some limitations:

• Exact search volume not shown for free users
• Data ranges instead of exact numbers
• Designed mainly for advertisers

Google Keyword Planner Limitations

Although powerful, it has some limitations:

• Exact search volume not shown for free users
• Data ranges instead of exact numbers
• Designed mainly for advertisers

Google Keyword Planner vs SEMrush

• No SEO difficulty score
• Less competitive analysis
• Free option advantage

Best Practices for Google Keyword Planner

Follow these best practices:

• Use long-tail keywords
• Combine with Google Search Console
• Analyze search intent
• Avoid only high-volume keywords
• Update keyword research regularly

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Targeting only high competition keywords
• Ignoring search intent
• Not checking relevance
• Using too many keywords
• Keyword stuffing

SEO Content Optimization Using Keywords

After selecting keywords:

• Add focus keyword in title
• Use keyword in meta description
• Add keywords in headings
• Use naturally in content
• Optimize images ALT text

Is Google Keyword Planner Free?

Yes, Google Keyword Planner is free, but:

• Requires Google Ads account
• Advanced data needs ad spend

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Google Keyword Planner good for SEO?

Yes, it is one of the best free tools for SEO keyword research.

Do I need to run ads to use it?

No, you can use basic features without running ads.

Can beginners use Google Keyword Planner?

Yes, it is beginner-friendly with step-by-step options.

Is Google Keyword Planner accurate?

Yes, data comes directly from Google search engine.

Conclusion

Google Keyword Planner is a powerful, reliable, and free keyword research tool that every SEO learner, blogger, and digital marketer should master.

By using this tool correctly, you can:

• Find profitable keywords
• Improve search rankings
• Increase organic traffic
• Build SEO-friendly content
• Plan successful marketing strategies

If you are serious about SEO, Google Keyword Planner should be your starting point.