Keyword Tool: Google's Gift for Hopeful SEO Gurus

If you are in the process of trying to figure out which keyword phrases to target, you must become intimately familiar with Google's keyword tool.  The keyword tool will provide you with much needed information such as:  monthly average search volume, search volume for individual months and related keyword phrases.  Do not enter into the world of keywords and search engine optimization blindly, use the keyword tool to maximize results and avoid wasting your time!

How to Use the Keyword Tool:
Let's say that you own a web design company in Los Angeles.  You are most likely hoping rank for the keyword phrase "web design" OR if you're very smart, you're narrowing your reach and targeting the phrase "Los Angeles web design". 

-   Go to:  https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal
-   Type in "Los Angeles web design" into the "Enter one keyword phrase per line" text box
-   Make sure the "use synonyms" box is checked
-   Hit "Get Keyword Ideas" button (you will have to enter a captcha for your first search)

In a matter of seconds, a long list will generate and it will contain:  your keyword phrase, related keyword phrases, search volume for the previous month and average search volume per month for the phrases listed.

This is where the analysis truly begins!  You, hopeful SEO Guru, need to pay special attention to:

-   The monthly average search volume for your keyword phrase
-   Keyword phrases that are similar to yours, but have a higher number of searches

Tip:  There is a dropdown menu labeled "match type", for best results select "exact" as it will give you the most accurate data for keywords.

Using the Keyword Tool to Your Advantage:
After you review the keyword phrases and have paid attention to search volumes, you will want to make a list of optimal keywords to target when creating your website or adding content to web pages.  The best way to come up with this list is:

-   Comparing your keyword phrase to other phrases.  If your keyword phrase has under1,000 searches per month, it may not be the right phrase to target.  After all, the goal for using keywords is to increase traffic to your website.  You cannot increase your web traffic if no one is searching for the keyword you are utilizing.  If your phrase has above 1,000 search inquiries, you should keep it on your list.

-   Next, look at the related phrases.  Are some phrases similar to yours, but receiving a higher search volume?  If so, add these phrases to your list.

-   Finally, you may see that some keyword phrases receive millions of search inquiries a month.  I suggest that you stay away from phrases that are highly searched as you will stand a slim chance of ranking for them.  Unless you have a cut throat linking campaign, or plan to write 100 plus pages of content to rank, stick with phrases that are relative to your website and that receive thousands of searches each month.

If you follow the tips suggested in this article, you will be able to use the keyword tool effectively and to your advantage in no time.

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This article was written by Amber Khan, founder of Star Content.