I use the google keyword tool. Should I use the broad selection or the exact selection to figure out how many people are searching my keyword? Thanks
Use 'exact'. It's the only match that has any relevance for S.E.O. The 'phrase' and 'broad' match are only relevant if you are using the tool for an adwords campaign. In adwords, setting your keywords to 'broad' match means that your ad can be triggered for synonyms and related terms.
Exact will give you the most accurate idea of how many searches there are. However, one of the most important things to analyze is the strength of your competitors that are ranking higher than you for them. Without that the #s don't mean much.
For you to know, you can actually use the FREE Version of Market Samurai and it will do a lot for your Keyword Research..
You know, I'm only recently starting to appreciate using anything other than Google Keyword Tool. I always thought that other keyword tools just took you too deep in longtail land, and that not everyone needs or wants to go 4+ words long on good keywords to repeat. I still largely believe that Google's Keyword Tool is sufficient for most Internet marketers. However, I did discover some cool new key phrases using the free version of Wordtracker, I think it was. Example: Google gave me search #'s for "content service", "content writer", and "content marketing". But never showed me "what is content marketing". I found this goodie via the free Wordtracker. Only problem is that you can only use this freebie a limited number of times before they ask you to pay for it.
google adwords tool is great if you are doing keyword research. Simply just put your keyword in then select "broad match" and a list of alternative keywords will come up. and the original keyword should be at the top of the list. hope this helps