How does Google Keywords Tool compile search volume data from auto-suggest terms?

[danatanseo]

Hi everyone. This question has been nagging at my mind today ever since I had a colleague say "no one ever searches for the term 'presonus 16.4.2'"

My argument is "Yes they do."

My argument is based on the fact that when you type in 'presonus 16" - Google's auto-suggest lists several options, of which presonus 16.4.2 is one.

That being said. Does Google's Keyword Tool base traffic estimates ONLY on actualy keywords typed in by the user, in this case "presonus 16" or does it also compile data for searchers who opt for the "suggested" term "presonus 16.4.2" ???

To clarify, does anyone have any insight as to whether Google is compiling data on strictly the term typed in from a use or giving precendence to a term being selected by a user that was listed as an auto-suggest, or, are they being counted twice????

Very curious to know everyone's take on this! Thanks!

[JasmineA]

I think with Google's Keyword Tool you need to choose your match type. If you choose broad or phrase, then it will pick up any and all instances of "presonus 16" but if you choose exact, then it won't.

So I think that Google does compile data on the words typed as well as on the suggestions. But I haven't heard of any data that suggests they are willing to be public about how reliant on the data they are. I know for Google Instant Suggest (or whatever it's called) if you click on the suggestion within a second or two the ads don't count that as an impression, so it may be similar to that kind of thing? Google may see the blue linked suggestion click within a specific time as the actual intended search query.

[danatanseo]

Thanks David, so much for jumping in. I agree also, because that just makes sense. However, I was wondering if anyone had any data showing one way or the other. Would be very interesting to know!

I had my keyword research shot down by people I worked with because they say no one searches for "keyword X" - but in fact , according to Google's keyword tool,They Do!

They insisted that people were searching for "keyword similar to X" or "keyword y" much more often. According to everything that I can see in Google's Keyword tool AND the auto-suggest, this is absolutely not the case.

I appreciate your response David!

Dana

[voicesdotcom]

Strangely enough, I once owned Presonus audio equipment so I felt I thought I should chime in.  In my experience, people certainly type in specific version numbers for products.

Consider software downloads.  If you're looking for a particular build of FireFox, you'd search for that.

Another example would be digital cameras or product number of parts for home electronics.  Both are items that I've typed into Google.

My guess is that Google is compiling data from both type-ins as well as "known" product numbers from page titles, links and more likely product feeds.