Google Adwords - trying to understand the figures...
-
Whilst researching keywords I often find the global monthly search on google adwords tool differs, yet the local (UK) is the same (or vice versa)
Example:
ready mix concrete - global 90,500 & local 18,100
ready mixed concrete - global 60,500 & local 18,100
or
forklift truck hire - global 18,100 & local 4,400
forklift truck rental - global 22,200 & local 4,400I'm making an assumption that for my local country, the phrases ready mix" and "ready mixed" are being treated the same, as are "hire" and "rental" but globally they are not. Am I correct?
Of course, they could be two completely separate terms according to Google but coincidentally, have the same search volume. However, I find this happens quite regularly.
Anybody shed any light?
-
You are looking at broad match Gordon, I tend to look at the exact term (exact match), you could have terms coming off which are not relevant, which you would almost neg out straight away but anyway that's another thread.
Just so you know Google takes the last 12 months of data and averages it, and it's not the exact number of searches either it's rounded.
If you put both terms in again, tick both of them and choose 'Download' it will break the search volume down into months for you, you will then see different search volumes for the local search each month.
Hope that helped a little.
-
Thanks Chris. Yes, some of these can indeed differ when exact type is chosen, but it's not the case all the time..
-
dare I ask what keyword tool you do use?
-
In addition to what everyone else has said, be sure to check your match types. On a broad match level "ready mix" and "ready mixed" aren't different. On an exact match I would assume it could be different.
-
I expect that the search volume for these terms varies by season - very strongly in some parts of the USA or world.
Where I live ready mix will not be searched during the winter and the use of forklifts also has seasonal change.
So, flux in the reported volumes should be expected.
-
Remember, Google uses LSI in their algorithms - so usually when you see strange discrepancies like this it means that the terms are being treated as semantically related. E.g. - if you search for "ready mix concrete" you'll see both terms (mix / mixed) in bold. Same for forklift truck / hire - you'll see both in bold.
I cant say that I know if this is the reason its just food for thought. I no longer use the Google Keyword Tool to estimate traffic as it can be really off - but what it still does well is measure relative traffic (keyword x has 2.5x the traffic as keyword y, and so on).
-
Yes, I would say that is a very accurate assessment Gordon. For example, "ready mix" and "ready mixed" are probably used interchangeably in the UK, however, in the USA the term "ready mixed" would be used much less often and instead we would maybe use "premix" or "premixed."
I do believe those kinds of differences would effect global search. Hope that helps!
Also, keep in mind that those Google numbers are estimates. They aren't hard and fast. They are based on data samplings and not complete data sets.
Dana
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Where are the Google Search Volumes in Keyword Analysis
I just joined and started by doing some keyword analysis, For some reason although I select "On Google", the tool only reports Bing Search Volume (Exact match). I am not that interested in Bing - not sure how to display the Google search stats
Keyword Research | | jbendiner0 -
Organic search by Simply Hired in Google Analytics
Hello there, In Google Analytics I found that there are many visits from Simplyhired - SimplyHired / organic . I don't know is there a way to see where exactly they come from Simplyhired, by what kind of a search. When I click on the link "SimplyHired / organic" in Sources> All traffic it doesn't show any details about keywords or urls in that website http://www.simplyhired.com/
Keyword Research | | HrishikeshKarov0 -
Google Keyword Tool: What is considered a unique keyword?
I'm trying to research keywords using Google's Keyword Tool. After looking at results, I have the following questions: 1. Does singular/plurals of a word count as two different keywords to Google (ie: photobooth and photobooths)? Would I need to have a unique page targeting each word or will one page on my site be sufficient for targeting both? 2. I've noticed that different variations of keywords have the same global monthly search results. This leads me to believe that Google see's all of them as one keyword. ie: "photo booth props" and "props for a photo booth" and "props with photo booth", all have 22,200 search global monthly search resluts. On the other hand "moustache prop" and "prop moustache" have different global monthly search results (480 and 590). Can anyone explain this?
Keyword Research | | Alchemist230 -
Best way to find keyword to write a post that will get 50 visitors a day in Google traffic?
Hi - I have a blog with good PR (4) but not much search traffic. I am interested in targeting keywords on a single blog post basis rather than site wide. The current search traffic is so low I can't really base looking for keywords off the keywords people are already arriving from. The only tool I know is the Google keyword tool. I am tired of writing posts that get zero search visitors most days, so would like to try to target some terms that will get around 50 search visits per day to that specific post. Best approach?
Keyword Research | | KateV0 -
Google keyword tool no data for a KW- what to assume in this case?
There are cases when google keyword tool shows just a dash - means no data available and google suggest just use global volume instead. But what if we want to know only local search volume? what should we assume in this case? Does that mean local volume is 0 or it can still be respectable volume & its just Google couldn't find data ?
Keyword Research | | Personnel_Concept0 -
Google Suggestive Search
Hello Is there anyway to get one of my site so show in Google suggestive search? What determines position in serach bar? Thanks
Keyword Research | | TP_Marketing0 -
High AdWords Cost with Low Traffic
I'm seeing a lot of keywords with very little traffic but high, sometimes very high cost per click in AdWords. Can someone explain to me why this is common? I'm researching buying keywords. With the low traffic they seem like little value but when I see people $20 a click it seems like high converting and thus maybe worth going after. But the high cost is just not making any sense to me for many of these keywords. Thanks.
Keyword Research | | RustyF0 -
Google Keyword Tool Doesn't Include Related Searches
For the same keyword phrase,the Google Adwords Keyword Tool complete list of keyword ideas does not contain all the keyword phrases that appear in "searches related to..." at the bottom of the page when you plug the same keyword phrase into Google. Can anyone tell me why not?
Keyword Research | | waynekolenchuk0