Clarify this Basic Seo Question

[redcat444]

I have SEO question for you...

When searching for keywords using the google adsense tool---do you use a broad, phrase or exact match? It makes sense to me to use phrase --but I am hearing a few different things. Why would or wouldn't you use the available options.

When searching for your competition in google--(using the tool bar and seeing how many other sites come up using your keyword) do you use it in quotes (phrase match) or without quotes? I am going with quotes---because without would give you too broad of a search with more than just your keyword being picked up? Is that correct?

[Steve Crooks]

I personally use the tool in phrase or exact match when doing keyword research just because it gives you a better idea of the popularity of the actual phrase you are targeting. Broad match can give a false impression of a keyword phrase's number of searches.

When I search for competition I always check without quotes simply because real web surfers generally search for stuff with no quotes. It therefore makes sense to search without quotes to see what your real competiton is.

Originally Posted by redcat444

I have SEO question for you...

When searching for keywords using the google adsense tool---do you use a broad, phrase or exact match? It makes sense to me to use phrase --but I am hearing a few different things. Why would or wouldn't you use the available options.

When searching for your competition in google--(using the tool bar and seeing how many other sites come up using your keyword) do you use it in quotes (phrase match) or without quotes? I am going with quotes---because without would give you too broad of a search with more than just your keyword being picked up? Is that correct?

[redcat444]

I guess I am confused about the quotes part---because when doing the google competition search--are you not searching for your own competitor's and not what people are searching for? ie--I want to see how many other websites are targeting the phrase "vegetarian dog food"...

So I use "vegetarian dog food"---don't I want to know exactly how many sites are targeting that keyword? And wouldn't I then put it in quotes?

[jasonmorgan]

When searching for keywords using the google adsense tool---do you use a broad, phrase or exact match? It makes sense to me to use phrase --but I am hearing a few different things. Why would or wouldn't you use the available options.

I'll peek at both but like was already said, a broad match can give you an inflated impression or searches.

this is something I should really learn more about myself. what information is taken into account for broad match results. I'll have to google it someday.

When searching for your competition in google--(using the tool bar and seeing how many other sites come up using your keyword) do you use it in quotes (phrase match) or without quotes? I am going with quotes---because without would give you too broad of a search with more than just your keyword being picked up? Is that correct?

I'll typically stick with 'no quotes' because that is how surfers search but I will take a peek at 'with quotes' as well. If I see a huge drop in results 'with quotes' it does make me feel slightly more confident, but...

So I use "vegetarian dog food"---don't I want to know exactly how many sites are targeting that keyword? And wouldn't I then put it in quotes?

The only problem with this theory is: it doesn't matter how many people are targeting a keyword. All that matters is who is ranking ahead of you for a keyword. 1,000 newbies or 10 experienced SEO.

As with most SEO, there is a lot of gray areas when it comes to this sort of thing and you just have to use your best judgment or gut to make a decision.

[redcat444]

hmmm....well if I was using in quotes I would also check page ranking for first page. I would avoid the keyword if the majority ranked a 4 or above....


anyone else? This is the final thing I need to determine. I believe I found a niche--but there are some differences with results....Thanks everyone so far!!

[jasonmorgan]

Well, you're only on part one: keyword research

Targeting keywords that have a fair amount of search interest and getting a vague idea of the competition by looking at the number of search results with and without quotes.

You still have part two: competition

Researching the page 1 competition. How easy/difficult it would be to beat those sites and is the amount of work required worth it.

This is why search results with and without quotes can be misleading because it doesn't matter how many, it's who is ranking for a keyword.