What Is Keyword Search Volume? (& How to Check It)

What Is Keyword Search Volume?

Keyword search volume is a metric that shows how many times people search a specific keyword in search engines (like Google) each month.

Digital marketers use it to gauge a keyword's popularity and estimate potential traffic from ranking for that keyword.

The simplest way to check a keyword's search volume is with a tool like Keyword Overview, which provides 10 free keyword lookups per day.

Enter the term you want to research, choose your country, and click "Search."

You'll see the average number of monthly searches for your keyword.

Why Is Checking Search Volume Important?

Search volume helps you choose the right keywords for both SEO and PPC strategies.

Without understanding search volume, you risk targeting keywords that few people search for. That means less traffic and fewer conversions.

High-volume keywords can offer more traffic potential. However, they often attract strong competition. And may not always align with your business goals.

Consider search volumes alongside other keyword metrics. (More on this later.)

Factors Affecting Monthly Search Volumes

Several factors can influence monthly search volumes:

• Seasonality: Some searches align with seasonal events. Keywords like "Christmas gifts" or "Halloween costumes" spike before those holidays.
• Trends: Current events or trending topics can trigger sudden surges in certain searches (e.g., "World Cup" during the tournament).
• Marketing campaigns: Promotional efforts can drive more online searches. Campaign launches or new product ads often increase related keyword searches.
• User behavior: Changing habits can shift search volumes. For example, remote work demands have increased searches for "home office setup" and "remote job opportunities."
• Market factors: Competitor launches or economic changes can influence searches. A new product rollout often sparks higher search interest.

In the Keyword Overview tool, the "Trend" graph shows how search volumes have changed over the past 12 months.

For more context, enter your keyword into Google Trends to see how interest has shifted since 2004.

Like in this seasonal "christmas tree" keyword example.

Look out for these keyword types:

• Evergreen keywords: Maintain consistent interest all year. They suit long-term SEO and ads.
• Seasonal keywords: Peak at certain times. Adjust your SEO and PPC plans to match these periods.
• Fad keywords: Experience short-lived spikes. These can work for quick promotions but usually aren't ideal for long-term SEO.
• Declining keywords: Gradually lose popularity. Their current search volume may not last.
• Rising keywords: Gain popularity over time. They may offer strong future potential.

Reliable keyword research tools help you analyze search volume and other data. These insights guide decisions about which keywords to target.

Keyword Magic Tool is a powerful option for keyword research and analysis.

To use this tool:

1. Enter a main term for your search
2. Add your domain name (optional)
3. Choose your target country
4. Click "Search."

The tool shows "Broad Match" keywords that contain your starting term or close variants. And displays important metrics.

If you're doing keyword research for SEO , consider:

• Volume: High-volume keywords can attract more traffic but often have tougher competition.
• Personal keyword difficulty (PKD): Indicates how hard it is for your site to rank in Google's top 10 for that keyword. A PKD of 30 or lower suggests it's easier for your site.
• Intent: Reflects the user's purpose (search intent). For example, "I" for informational keywords matches blog posts. "C" and "T" (commercial and transactional) align with product or service pages.

If you're doing keyword research for PPC , pay attention to:

• Volume: Higher volume means more ad impressions and clicks-but also higher competition and cost.
• Cost per click (CPC): Shows the average advertisers pay per click. Higher CPC often signals higher commercial value.
• Intent: "C" and "T" intent suggest users are ready to buy, making them more likely to convert.
• Competitive density: Ranges from 0.00 (low) to 1.00 (high). Expect strong competition for high-converting keywords.

Keyword Overview

Keyword Overview also offers keyword analysis. It can show local search volumes for regions or cities.

This data is crucial for local business or location-specific targeting.

To start, enter your keyword, select your target country and sub-location, and click "Search."

The tool displays local and national search volumes:

A keyword with low search volume can still be worthwhile. A smaller number of monthly searches can drive valuable leads if the keyword is highly targeted (e.g., "plumber near me" for a specific area).

A high-volume broad keyword with little relevance to your business may waste resources. It may bring traffic that doesn't convert.

For more local keyword ideas, check the "Keyword ideas" section in the same report. You'll see how often these terms get searched in your target location.

Monitor Your Keyword Rankings

Whatever keywords you choose, track your rankings to measure results.

Semrush's Position Tracking tool shows organic and paid rankings for your target keywords in specific locations. Use it to see which strategies succeed and which need adjustments.

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