Is the Google Keyword Tool Misleading?

Discussion in 'Google' started by jalsck, Mar 22, 2011.

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  1. #1
    When using the Google Keyword Tool to estimate the number of searches per month for a phrase containing 2 or 3 words, the estimated traffic is the same no matter what order the words are placed in. For example, the estimated traffic for the phrase 'word1 word2 word3' is the same as that for 'word3 word1 word2'. However, the actual search results are different. Thus, you could spend months optimizing for the first version of the phrase only to discover that when you finally reach the top 3 positions, you don't get the traffic that you expected because people are actually typing in version 2 of the phrase and you are not appearing on the first page for version 2. Is this correct?

    Thanks,

    James
     
    jalsck, Mar 22, 2011 IP
  2. ACME Squares

    ACME Squares Peon

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    #2
    I just tested this myself using:
    Keyword tool showed them all as 33,100.
    Cross referencing with Google insights, the graphs were nearly the same, but not identical.
    Finally Google trends, again slight but visible variations.

    Next experiment:
    Keyword tool was exactly the same.
    Insights showed a completely different graph. "free advertising online" was the only phrase really generating any traffic.

    So, in conclusion, use keyword tool to find general phrases, but check the exact quoted phrase in either insights or trends before putting in months of optimization.
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2011
    ACME Squares, Mar 22, 2011 IP
  3. jalsck

    jalsck Peon

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    #3
    Thank you for the fast and informative explanation.
     
    jalsck, Mar 22, 2011 IP
  4. jalsck

    jalsck Peon

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    #4
    I checked the results for your test phrases using Traffic Travis. Traffic Travis does make the distinction and could be used along with Google Insights and Trends for identifying 2 keyword plus search phrases to optimize for.

    Google Daily Searches

    free advertising online 866
    advertising free online 0
    advertising online free 0

    Best Regards,

    James
     
    jalsck, Mar 23, 2011 IP
  5. beerSEO

    beerSEO Peon

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    #5
    I have long suspected google doesn't show us everything we want...it's common sense to think/know that. This proves it, even though the data they provide is similar it is not the same meaning there must be something else they know that isn't disclosed to us. Good tests, you have inspired me to sit down and actually conduct my own; I'll try to post results here.
     
    beerSEO, Mar 23, 2011 IP
  6. imfusa

    imfusa Active Member

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    #6
    I would also suggest, when you are keyword researching
    to check exact match instead of broad match
     
    imfusa, Mar 23, 2011 IP
  7. fofs

    fofs Peon

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    #7
    Yeah I agree. The numbers are misleading if you don't use phrase quote. To get accurate numbers, use a quote phrase search.
     
    fofs, Mar 23, 2011 IP