Guide to Use Google keyword planner

Dimple Trivedi
5 min readOct 22, 2023

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Google Keyword Planner is a powerful tool provided by Google that helps you research keywords and plan your online advertising campaigns, particularly for Google Ads. It can also be a valuable resource for organic SEO keyword research. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use Google Keyword Planner:

Photo by Arkan Perdana on Unsplash

Step 1: Access Google Keyword Planner

  1. Go to the Google Keyword Planner by visiting the Google Ads website (ads.google.com) and signing in to your Google Ads account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one for free.
  2. Once you’re logged in, click on “Tools & Settings” in the upper-right corner, and under “Planning,” select “Keyword Planner.”

Step 2: Start a New Keyword Research

  1. On the Keyword Planner dashboard, click on “Discover new keywords” to start a new keyword research project.

Step 3: Enter Keywords or Phrases

  1. In the “Find new keywords” section, you can start by entering keywords, phrases, or your website URL. You can add multiple keywords at once. If you’re researching for a specific location or language, you can specify these settings here.

Step 4: Customize Your Search

  1. You can further customize your search using the following options:
  • Targeting: Define your target locations, languages, and search networks (e.g., Google or Google and search partners).
  • Date Range: Set a date range to view historical data for keyword performance.
  • Include/Exclude Keywords: Add keywords to include or exclude from your results.

Step 5: Review Keyword Ideas

  1. Click the “Get Results” button, and Google Keyword Planner will generate a list of keyword ideas related to your input. You’ll see details like average monthly searches, competition, and suggested bids if you were running a Google Ads campaign.

Step 6: Analyze Keyword Data

  1. Review the keyword ideas to find the most relevant ones for your project. Pay attention to metrics such as average monthly searches and competition levels to gauge the keyword’s popularity and competitiveness.

Step 7: Filter and Refine Keywords

  1. You can further refine your keyword list by using filters. For example, you can filter by search volume, competition, and more to narrow down your options.

Step 8: Add Keywords to Your Plan (Optional)

  1. If you’re planning a Google Ads campaign, you can select keywords and click the “Add to plan” button. This will allow you to estimate traffic and budget for your campaign.

Step 9: Download Keyword Data

  1. To save your keyword list, click the “Download” button to export the data in various formats (e.g., CSV) for later use.

Step 10: Get Historical Metrics (Optional)

  1. If you want historical keyword data, go back to the Keyword Planner dashboard and click on “Get search volume and forecasts.” Enter your keywords, and you’ll receive historical data and performance forecasts for those keywords.

Remember that Google Keyword Planner is a versatile tool that can assist with both paid advertising and organic SEO efforts. Whether you’re running Google Ads campaigns or optimizing your website for search engines, the insights from this tool can be invaluable in choosing the right keywords to target.

Certainly! Here’s a step-by-step guide to using Google Keyword Planner for beginners:

Step 1: Access Google Keyword Planner

  1. Go to the Google Keyword Planner by visiting the Google Ads website (ads.google.com) in your web browser.
  2. Sign in to your Google Account. If you don’t have one, you can create a Google Account for free.

Step 2: Set Up Your Google Ads Account (If Necessary)

  1. If you don’t already have a Google Ads account, you may need to set one up. Follow the prompts to create your account. You may be required to provide payment information, but you can pause or cancel campaigns if you don’t intend to run ads immediately.

Step 3: Access the Keyword Planner

  1. Once you’re signed in and on the Google Ads dashboard, click on the “Tools & Settings” icon (a wrench icon) in the upper-right corner of the screen.
  2. Under the “Planning” section, select “Keyword Planner.”

Step 4: Start a New Keyword Research

  1. On the Keyword Planner dashboard, you’ll see two options: “Discover new keywords” and “Get search volume and forecasts.” For keyword research, click on “Discover new keywords.”

Step 5: Enter Keywords or Phrases

  1. In the “Find new keywords” section, you can start by entering keywords or phrases relevant to your topic, product, or service. If you have multiple keywords, separate them with commas.

Step 6: Customize Your Search (Optional)

  1. You can further customize your search using these options:
  • Targeting: Define your target location, language, and search network. You can select your specific geographic area.
  • Date Range: Set a date range to view historical data for keyword performance.
  • Include/Exclude Keywords: Add keywords to include or exclude from your results.

Step 7: Review Keyword Ideas

  1. After entering your keywords and customizing your search, click the “Get Results” button. Google Keyword Planner will generate a list of keyword ideas related to your input.

Step 8: Analyze Keyword Data

  1. Review the keyword ideas. You’ll see details such as average monthly searches, competition, and suggested bids if you were running a Google Ads campaign. Pay attention to the relevance and potential of these keywords for your content or campaign.

Step 9: Filter and Refine Keywords (Optional)

  1. You can further refine your keyword list by using filters. For example, you can filter by search volume, competition level, and more to narrow down your options.

Step 10: Export or Save Your Keyword List

  1. To save your keyword list for future reference or download it, click the “Download” button. You can choose to export the data in various formats (e.g., CSV) to use in other tools or documents.

Step 11: Get Historical Metrics (Optional)

  1. If you want historical keyword data and performance forecasts, you can go back to the Keyword Planner dashboard and click on “Get search volume and forecasts.” Enter your keywords, and you’ll receive additional insights.

That’s it! You’ve now successfully used Google Keyword Planner to research keywords for your content or advertising campaigns. It’s a valuable tool for understanding keyword trends, search volume, and competition to make informed decisions for your online presence.

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Dimple Trivedi
Dimple Trivedi

Written by Dimple Trivedi

Content Writer | Blogger | Company Secretary ( Professional )