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Don't Assume your Search Terms! RESEARCH!!

The other day I noticed a member here on Active Rain bragging about all the "unreal Google juice" she had. She loosely backed her claim up by showing some of the search terms she had a 1st page ranking for. The member stated that "I couldn't teach her anything" because she "already knew it all". This blog shall prove her quite wrong.

You should not assume that search terms you come up with are ones that people actually search. Researching the search volume is one of the first steps you need to take when deciding which terms to optimize your site for.

The member in question has her site optimized for "Hawaii Relocations" and she currently ranks 6 for it, with her ActiveRain page being number 7.

From my knowledge of search... I think people would tend to search for "Hawaii Relocation". I believe people use "relocation" over "relocations" no matter which city or state they need to relocate to. Still, it doesn't matter what I believe. We need to find some empirical evidence. One of the best ways to determine this for sure is the most excellent Google tool called Trends.

The best thing about Google Trends, is that is shows RELATIVE SCALE, and not an actual number. Many people get hung up on the physical numbers given by the Overture Inventory Tool (which is completely worthless.) If we compare "relocation" with "relocations", we will find that I am correct. Relocation is searched considerably more than relocations.

Google Trends screenshot

See how easy the data is to understand? It shows over time the relationship of the two terms in Search Volume and News Reference Volume.

If you have never used this tool, and haven't really verified the search terms you are currently after... I highly recommend you doing so.

Posted by David Kyle, Charlotte SEO on 12/31/2007 01:12 PM

Comments (13)

seo, search volume

13 Comments on Don't Assume your Search Terms! RESEARCH!!

DEC

2007

awesome idea. Its amazing that just one letter makes that much of a difference. I will be more diligent for sure

Sometimes I love technology! That is awesome, I've seen similar tools but nothing that graphs it out for you like that....

I am studying all the search words and you are very right. A phrase is only what you think it is worth. I have placement because of some of my key words and they produce very little response. Many are thinking because they are at the top you get all of the clients.

Thank you for your response to my blog about blogging. Yes, IT IS ME! All my blogging is original. As for the Key to Web 2.0. I don't have the answer, do you? Lu

Lu

That was the answer :)

You can reply on your own blogs btw. Makes things easier to keep up with.

Good concept--researching terms--but there's a few flaws in this. When searching for a relocation service, a seeker using either relocation or relocations will find both relocation and relocations. Your question should be whether either is the best keyword or keyword phrase to draw visitors to the page where you talk about your relo services.

The only drawback is that using relocations in your content might make you look either careless or less than astute to a visitor if you don't have a good context for using the plural.

Focusing on the numbers is not a bad idea, and I recommend using the tools available on seobook.com. They are free, and quite useful. Using the keyword tool will help you find the top search terms used in searching for everything for which you want visitors to your site.

As for the usefulness of Google Trends, its value lies in its ability to help identify changes in user interests If you keep an eye on it, it may help you find just the right topic for your blog--or even your Web site--to help boost their rank.

Wow, I love this information; thanks for sharing - the best part of this community.

Kathy Toth and Team Ann Arbor, MI

-Jim

A few flaws? The example I just gave showed that people search for relocation way more than relocations. If what you say is true, then why does Google give completely different results for each word? The best keyword to draw each visitors to the page? What do you mean by that?

This is about historical search volume which shows you WHAT people are searching for. It's not rocket science to go with the one people use the most.

SeoBook.com uses Trends :)

Focusing on the numbers is A VERY BAD IDEA because they can be completely skewed and unreliable.

Not sure what you mean by the last part. Please explain how one would do that. Trends is for comparing SEARCH VOLUME. It clearly states thats what it is for.

JAN

2008

Great information. What you say makes perfect sense. Before I set up my key words, I had my friends and family try to find information on property in Myrtle Beach by actually searching. I noted the words and phrases they used and was surprised that 'myrtle beach real estate' is the number one phrase used in this area - and by my small group of searchers!

What did you mean 'you can reply on your own blogs?

Excellent tool i shall pass it on- thanks johnny g

JAN

2008

Linda -

I'm surprised you were surprised :) "your city" real estate is usually the one with the highest volume.

That message was for Lu. I had posted a response on one of her blogs, and she was responding to it here. I was just letting her know she could respond on her own blog.

JAN

2008

Great information. Thanks for the link and sharing what you know.

JAN

2008

I love the information. I am at the top of the page but I would like to get more results. More hits and clicks. I will have to ask that question on a blog.

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What does the graphic say?