Keyword Planner is a free tool by Google Ads that helps marketers discover keywords and estimate search traffic for campaigns.
It’s primarily used for planning Google Ads campaigns but is also highly valuable for SEO. By entering a product, service, or website, you can generate keyword ideas, view average monthly search volumes, understand competition levels, and get cost-per-click (CPC) estimates.
How to Use Keyword Planner:
- Access Google Ads:
Sign in or create a Google Ads account (you don’t need to run ads to use the tool). - Choose a Tool Option:
- Discover new keywords – input topics or URLs to find new keyword ideas.
- Get search volume and forecasts – see performance forecasts for existing keywords.
- Filter Results:
Use filters like location, language, competition, and CPC to refine your list. - Export and Use:
Download your keyword data for SEO content planning or paid campaign strategy.
Benefits of Keyword Planner:
- Free to use with a Google Ads account
- Reliable Google data directly from search trends
- Helps find long-tail keyword opportunities
- Useful for both paid search and organic SEO planning
- Offers forecast metrics for budget planning in PPC
