How to Use Google’s Keyword Planner: A Beginner’s Guide

When it comes to digital marketing, keywords are like treasure maps, leading potential customers to your website. But how do you know which keywords will unlock the most traffic and conversions for your business? Enter Google’s Keyword Planner, a powerful (and free!) tool that helps you find the right words to target, optimize your content, and run smarter ad campaigns.

If you’re new to Google’s Keyword Planner, don’t worry! This beginner’s guide will walk you through everything you need to know so you can start using it like a pro. Ready to level up your keyword game? Let’s dive in!

What Is Google’s Keyword Planner?

Google’s Keyword Planner is a tool within Google Ads that helps you discover new keywords and provides valuable insights like search volume, competition levels, and cost-per-click (CPC) estimates. Whether you're crafting a content strategy or planning your next PPC campaign, this tool helps you make data-driven decisions about which keywords are worth targeting.

How to Access Google’s Keyword Planner

Before you can start exploring the Keyword Planner, you'll need to set up a Google Ads account (if you don't already have one). Don’t worry; you don’t have to run any ads to use the Keyword Planner — just create an account, and you’re good to go.

Once you’re in, follow these simple steps:

1. Sign in to Google Ads at ads.google.com.
2. From the dashboard, click the wrench icon in the top-right corner to open the "Tools & Settings" menu.
3. Under the "Planning" section, select Keyword Planner.

Boom! You're ready to start your keyword research journey.

Step 1: Discover New Keywords

When you open the Keyword Planner, you’ll have two main options:

• Discover New Keywords
• Get Search Volume and Forecasts

For beginners, we’re focusing on the "Discover New Keywords" option, which helps you find keyword ideas based on a word, phrase, or URL related to your business.

How to Discover New Keywords:

1. Click "Discover New Keywords."
2. Enter a relevant word or phrase related to your business. For example, if you sell hiking gear, you might type in "best hiking boots" or "outdoor adventure gear."
3. If you want to find keywords based on a competitor’s website, you can paste the URL in the "Start with a website" tab.

After you hit "Get Results," Google will show you a treasure trove of keyword ideas, along with their average monthly searches, competition level (low, medium, or high), and estimated CPC if you were to run ads on them.

Step 2: Analyze Keyword Metrics

Now that you have a list of potential keywords, it’s time to analyze them. Here’s what to pay attention to:

• Average Monthly Searches: This number shows how often people search for the keyword each month. Higher search volumes generally mean more potential traffic, but they may also mean more competition.
• Competition: This metric indicates how competitive ranking for that keyword in paid search results is. Low-competition keywords can be a sweet spot, especially for beginners.
• Top of Page Bid (Low and High Range): These estimates tell you how much advertisers are willing to pay for the keyword in Google Ads. While these numbers are useful for paid campaigns, they also give you a sense of how valuable a keyword is.

Step 3: Refine Your Keywords

A long list of keywords is great, but not all of them will be winners. Here’s how to refine your results:

• Filter by Search Volume: If a keyword gets less than 100 searches a month, it might not be worth targeting. Set a minimum search volume to focus on more popular keywords.
• Filter by Competition: Start by focusing on low or medium competition keywords. These keywords are easier to rank for, especially if you’re a new website or brand.
• Look for Long-Tail Keywords: Long-tail keywords are more specific phrases (think “best waterproof hiking boots for women” instead of just “hiking boots”). They tend to have lower search volume but are often less competitive and more likely to convert.

Step 4: Plan Your Strategy

Now that you’ve found some great keywords, it’s time to use them strategically! Here’s how:

• For SEO: Incorporate the keywords into your website’s content. Use them in blog posts, product descriptions, meta tags, and headers. But remember, keyword stuffing is a big no-no. Write naturally and make sure your content provides value to the reader.
• For Google Ads: If you’re planning a PPC campaign, use your keyword list to build ad groups. Set a budget, write compelling ad copy, and watch your ads climb the ranks using your targeted keywords.
• Track and Optimize: Keywords aren’t a "set it and forget it" deal. Track how your content or ads are performing and adjust your keywords accordingly. Trends change, so revisit the Keyword Planner every few months to stay ahead of the game.

Step 5: Use the "Get Search Volume and Forecasts" Feature

Once you have your refined list of keywords, you can use the "Get Search Volume and Forecasts" tool to dig deeper into specific keywords and predict how they might perform in future campaigns.

1. Click "Get Search Volume and Forecasts."
2. Enter your list of keywords.
3. Google will show you forecasts such as estimated clicks, impressions, and costs for paid campaigns.

While this feature is especially helpful for advertisers, SEO enthusiasts can use it to gauge the value of certain keywords before focusing on them.

Tips for Using Google’s Keyword Planner Like a Pro

1. Be Specific: The more specific your keyword, the better your chance of targeting an audience that’s ready to convert.
2. Don’t Ignore Niche Keywords: While high-volume keywords seem appealing, the niche long-tail keywords sometimes bring in the most qualified traffic.
3. Test and Tweak: Even with the best research, not every keyword will perform as expected. Keep testing and refining your keyword strategy over time.

Ready to Rock Your Keyword Strategy?

Google’s Keyword Planner is an indispensable tool for anyone diving into the world of digital marketing. With a little practice, you’ll be able to uncover high-value keywords, optimize your content, and create smarter ad campaigns that drive traffic and conversions.

Are you the leader of a small-to-medium-sized business and don’t have the time required to execute an effective keyword strategy? It may be time to lean on the experts. Our team at  Fable Heart Media has the knowledge and access to game-changing tools like SEMrush, Google Keyword Planner, and more to help businesses discover conversion opportunities and achieve maximum ROI. 

Now that you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to give it a shot. Jump into Keyword Planner and discover the perfect keywords to elevate your brand. Happy keyword hunting! 🎯

For more tips on Google search engine ranking, stop by our blog page.