When Was The Last Time You Used The Google Keyword Tool (Planner)?

1. 84

   WryLiltposted 10 years ago

   I think my last try was over a year ago. I honestly have never had success with it EVER, even with third party tools, bar ONE title about three years back.
   
   If you're freaked out by it, don't stress. You don't HAVE to do keyword research to get good traffic.
   
   Personally my two go-tos right now are:
   
   1. Google suggest. Gives you longtail keywords AND you know people are actually searching those things.
   2. Checking competition. If none of the first page results really match, it's usually a winner.

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      NateB11posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I've had very little success with Google's Keyword Planner, probably last time I used it was a month ago, more or less. I have had success with a keyword tool that you have to pay for, but at the time I used it, it was being offered for free with limited amount of keywords. At any rate, I never used that one for this account, but did use it for another account and my traffic was double the amount of this account with only maybe 1/5 of the content. So, my conclusion is you have to pay for a keyword tool if you're going to get one that works. At the moment can't afford that. So, I certainly appreciate your suggestions.

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      tony55posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I don't let keywords rule my life, before I did but now I just write from the heart.

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         Eliane Poungoumposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Good decision I think.

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      RonElFranposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I use Google Keyword Planner as a normal part of my process. I use it to gauge how much interest there is in the subject I'm contemplating writing about. I also use it in shaping the exact wording of my titles. One place it's really been helpful is in my posts on Writedge. They ask for tags that are at least two words long. Keyword Planner usually gives me lots of relevant tags for my subject.
      
      All that being said, I have no idea how effective my use of Keyword Planner is in actually driving traffic.

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2. 95

   jansharesposted 10 years ago

   This is a relief to hear, WryLilt. I haven't used a keyword tool since Google revised/upgraded it. I never took the time to open an account and understand how to use it. I will make note of your suggestions.

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3. 86

   Marisa Wrightposted 10 years ago

   I've never used it to choose subjects.   My logic is - everyone else is doing the same thing and getting exactly the same results, so if I write on those topics I'll soon get lost in the crowd.
   
   On the few occasions I've tried to write on those subjects, I've never done well.  I've done much better writing based on my own areas of expertise.   I have used the keyword tool to work out the keywords for those areas, but not for a long time.

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4. 63

   Brie Hoffmanposted 10 years ago

   Just today, I changed a title after consulting it.

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   Margaret Schindelposted 10 years ago

   Search Engine Land has a nice article on using Google Suggest for this purpose.
   http://www.searchenginejournal.com/begi … seo/73269/

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   WriterJanis2posted 10 years ago

   I used it yesterday. I still find it to come in quite handy.

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      sallybeaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I tried using it last week but ended up ignoring it in the end.

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7. 75

   electronicianposted 10 years ago

   I agree you don't have to use these tools. I try to think about the kind of language people are most likely to use in searches, and often like you Sallybea I will do a couple of searches to check out the competition if I'm not sure whether it will be worth my time writing on a subject, but that's about it.

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8. 73

   isaacasanteposted 10 years ago

   I used it last week before writing my internet review... Actually, I already had my topic in mind and knew how I was going to go about it, for the most part. But I used the Keyword Tool just to check the popularity of my targeted keywords. The results were okay anyway, so I went ahead and wrote my evergreen hub.
   
   I used it (I think last year) for my most popular article which currently gets around 400 views a day, and it really paid off, considering that tool really helped me create my title and enhance my subject. I know content is king, and I always try to write awesome content, but mini help from credible sources and tools won't hurt. My two cents.

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9. 68

   Hamshiposted 10 years ago

   I use it 9/10 times when I want to write a new hub or any articles online.
   
   Google suggestion tool is useful for giving ideas on what people search for, but not when it comes to finding out how many local and global searches those keywords get every month.
   
   Keyword planner helps break down everything into detail and helps me find just the right type of keywords I want to go for. I love many things about it and some of them are:
   
   -The option to target different locations/cities.
   -To include/exclude words-helps find the most relevant keywords related to your chosen topic.
   -CPC option-You can set it to a certain amount so it shows you keywords with CPC above or below that amount.
   -Monthly searches option: Helps you find keywords above or below the number you set it to. For e.g. if you set it to <1000, it will show you keywords with under 1000 monthly searches.
   
   I agree that Google suggestion tool is useful but the keyword planner is also something really worth experimenting with.

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      brakel2posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I had a difficult time using it, so used free Jaaxy for awhile. Now my free time is up, so google suggest may be a good choice. Any other ideas? Someone who is successful with keyword planner might consider writing a new hub to help us.

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10. 85

    CassandraCaeposted 10 years ago

    I have never been able to figure it out myself.

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    Stacie Lposted 10 years ago

    I haven't used Google keywords helper in about a year; never liked it. I 've had some small increases using the Google suggest lately  .

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12. 84

    Rock_njposted 10 years ago

    The Google Keyword Tool was actually very helpful when it worked.  It could help you select a much more effective title that will gain more traffic from Google Views.  But, as I understand it, Google no longer provides this information for free, so it's a moot point.  Now you have to pay Google or some other 3rd party for keyword info.  If anyone knows a free way to get reliable keyword search data, please share.

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       Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Google Keyword Planner is free. The Keyword tool doesn't exist any more.

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          Rock_njposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          Thanks Writer Fox and LindaSmith1.  That is a relief.  Unlike some others that have posted, I have found it to be quite useful.  It is surprising how many more searches are done on specific long tail keywords versus others.  What seems like a great title for a Hub, could be the wrong one to chose, if you want to get the most search engine traffic possible.  It's a rather easy step to find a title that people are searching for, and pays off in the long run with a higher number of organic search views.

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             Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

             Yes.  Just sign up for an AdWords account.  It's free and you don't have to actually buy ads.  Then, you'll find the Keyword Planner on the top menu bar of your account page.

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    LindaSmith1posted 10 years ago

    Rock_nj:  No, you don't have to pay.  There is some stupid message that appears which leads you to believe that, but it is not true.   You simply need a Google adwords account.

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    jimmythejockposted 10 years ago

    I tried it a couple of times but found that most of the keywords were already in my Hubs and stopped bothering about it. people still find my Hubs without it.

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    Eliane Poungoumposted 10 years ago

    Adwords is amazing. I've used it before. A little confusing for a newbie like me, but the support team was always there to help. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Google Adwords free support at 8552900341. Hope this helps

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    gina1209posted 10 years ago

    I use the Google Keyword Planner all the time. I generally use it to get broad ideas of what to write about. Then, when I have some topics, I do more in-depth research using Market Samurai. This helps me check for keyword traffic and SEO competition.
    
    I'm new to HubPages so I'm excited to see how this level of keyword research will affect my Hub traffic.

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       NateB11posted 10 years agoin reply to this

       I think you're going to do very well. Especially if you're using Market Samurai. I've never used it but I've read good reviews on it. And I used a free version of a paid keyword tool and I couldn't believe the results; for a different HP account than this one I'm using. Within a couple months I was getting loads of traffic, totally doubled what I usually get on this account and with 1/5 the articles. I've had a little bit of success just with Keyword Planner but it doesn't compare to that paid keyword tool.

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    fpherj48posted 10 years ago

    Sorry to go off topic...but....BRAVO, wrylit...Congratulations on your Hubbie Award.  It is certainly well-deserved.  Celebrate!

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       PegCole17posted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Ditto! And congratulations to all other award winning authors, too.
       
       I just tried the Google Keyword Planner and I was informed to update my browser. Recently, when I upgraded to Google Chrome so many things didn't work anymore that I went back to Internet Explorer. I really miss the old Keyword Tool which I used to use frequently.

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          brakel2posted 10 years agoin reply to this

          @Peg Cole   Chrome can be a pain, but I put up with it and finally got it to work, except that it won't work the sharing buttons. Good luck with Internet Explorer which also has its problems.

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             PegCole17posted 10 years agoin reply to this

             Hi Brakel2, I'm noticing on Pinterest that they keep reminding me that my browser is out of date. No joke, kiddo. Chrome was a royal pain and I begged my techie husband to change my laptop back. I'm clinging to IE until I can no longer function.
             

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    Sara2901posted 10 years ago

    I made some lenses based on results from Google search only and they did very well. Google sometimes displays "searches related to..." at the bottom of the screen. I use these longtail KWs in my writing as well. These could be used as module headings in your article.

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