Google Trends for Keyword Research: Full Guide

Do you know what are google trends for keyword research?

If you’ve ever conducted keyword research, it’s likely that you’ve utilized Google Trends to gauge the popularity of a particular keyword.

However, numerous SEO professionals fail to tap into the complete potential of this remarkable tool. Hence, we have chosen to compose an article dedicated to Google Trends.

Within this guide, we will understand about google trends for keyword research and how to use them.

Before we delve into the various applications of Google Trends, let’s establish a clear understanding of what it entails and what it does not.

What is Google Trends?

Google Trends is a free online tool from Google that allows users to track the popularity and search interest in specific keywords over time.

It provides information on how frequently a specific keyword or phrase has been searched for on Google, as well as regional interest, related queries, and trending topics.

Why is Google Trends important for keyword research?

1. Identify keyword popularity

Google Trends helps you understand how popular a keyword is over a specific period. By analyzing search volume trends, you can gauge the level of interest and potential demand for certain keywords. This information is essential for targeting keywords with the highest search volume and potential traffic.

2. Seasonal trends and patterns

Google Trends enables you to identify seasonal trends and patterns associated with specific keywords. For example, if you run a website that sells Halloween costumes, you can use Google Trends to determine the peak search volume for costume-related keywords leading up to Halloween. This data allows you to optimize your content and marketing efforts accordingly.

3. Regional insights

Google Trends provides regional data, allowing you to understand which locations show the most interest in specific keywords. This information is particularly valuable for businesses targeting specific geographic markets. It helps you tailor your keyword strategy to reach your desired audience effectively.

4. Related queries and topics

By exploring related queries and topics in Google Trends, you can discover new keyword ideas and uncover user search behavior patterns. This feature helps you expand your keyword list and identify long-tail keywords that can drive targeted traffic to your website.

Guidelines for Using Google Trends for Keyword Research

1. Identify seasonal trends

Seasonal Google trends refer to the patterns of search queries that fluctuate in popularity throughout the year in a recurring and predictable manner. These trends reflect the changing interests, needs, and behaviors of Google users during different seasons, holidays, or events.

Identifying seasonal Google trends involves analyzing the search volume and popularity of specific keywords or topics over time using Google Trends, a tool provided by Google. This tool allows users to explore and compare the search interest for different queries and observe their seasonal variations.

2. AVOID “keyword unicorns”

The phrase “keyword unicorns” refers to highly popular or trendy keywords that experience sudden spikes in popularity within a short period of time. When it comes to content creation or search engine optimization (SEO), it can be tempting to target these keywords in order to attract more attention or traffic to a website. However, it is important to exercise caution when dealing with keyword unicorns.

One way to approach keyword selection is to check for data-skewing popularity spikes. This involves analyzing the historical popularity and search volume of a keyword over time. If a keyword shows a sudden and significant spike in popularity compared to its usual trend, it may be a data-skewing popularity spike.

It’s important to be cautious with such spikes because they can be deceptive. Often, these spikes in popularity are short-lived and do not reflect the long-term demand for a particular keyword. Focusing too much on keyword unicorns without considering their long-term relevance and popularity can result in wasted effort and resources.

3. Find relevant topics that are trending

In order to capitalize on the most relevant and trending topics right now, it is crucial to stay abreast of current events and popular discussions. Utilizing various online platforms, such as social media, news websites, and specialized trend-tracking tools, can help identify these topics.

By analyzing the engagement, discussions, and overall buzz surrounding different subjects, one can uncover the most captivating and attention-grabbing trends. Once identified, individuals and businesses can strategically align their content, products, or services with these trending topics, ensuring maximum exposure and relevance to the target audience.

By capitalizing on the pulse of the current moment, one can seize valuable opportunities and gain a competitive edge in the fast-paced world of trends and online discourse.

4. Use Google Trends data to plan your content calendar

Google Trends is a valuable tool that can help content creators and marketers plan their content calendars effectively. By analyzing the search trends and patterns of users, Google Trends provides valuable insights into the popularity and relevance of various topics over time.

This information allows content creators to identify emerging trends, understand audience interests, and tailor their content strategy accordingly. By incorporating Google Trends data into their content calendar planning, creators can ensure that their content aligns with current demand, maximizes visibility, and engages their target audience effectively.

Whether it’s choosing timely topics, optimizing keywords, or identifying content gaps, leveraging Google Trends can be a game-changer in creating relevant and engaging content that resonates with users.

5. Make use of “Related Queries”

One powerful feature of Google Trends is the “related queries” function, which can provide content creators and marketers with a wealth of new keyword ideas.

By exploring the related queries section, users can discover additional search terms and phrases that are associated with their primary keywords. This feature not only helps expand the scope of their content but also reveals untapped areas of interest that may have been overlooked.

By incorporating these new keywords into their content strategy, creators can optimize their visibility and attract a broader audience. By leveraging the “related queries” function in Google Trends for keyword research, content creators can unlock a treasure trove of fresh keyword ideas to enhance their content and stay ahead of the competition.

Conclusion

Although Google Trends was not initially developed specifically for content marketers and SEOs, its usefulness for keyword research and other marketing-related tasks cannot be denied. In fact, it stands out as a valuable resource for obtaining the most up-to-date information on current search trends.

Read more: How to Do Keyword Research for Affiliate Sites in 2023

With its ability to provide fresh and relevant data on what topics are currently popular in search queries, Google Trends is unparalleled in its ability to assist marketers in identifying trending keywords and optimizing their content accordingly. For content creators and SEO professionals seeking real-time insights, there is no other tool that can rival the timeliness and relevance offered by Google Trends.