Is Google Keyword Tool useless?

[gearmonkey]

I just started executing more coherent keyword work on my website and found a keyword phrase that I knew I could get on the first page for.

The keyword phrase is a 6 word phrase that Google Keyword Tool says gets searched 49,500 global and 33,100 local searches monthly.

So I took a few days of SEO to reach the first page of Google. Granted I'm not top 3, but I am top 8. This 49,500 global monthly searched keywords brings me 3 visits per day, 5 visits on a good day.

So if this keyword phrase is searched 1,633 times per day, why am I only getting 3 per day?

This leads me to believe Google Keyword Tool is full of sh#t.

[HunterSnake]

I don't personally feel that the tool is always accurate... The information that it provides is also delayed, so what may have been true then might no longer be true...

If you're not in the top three, that, sadly, can make a massive difference. Most people don't go past the top three because usually their needs are fulfilled by one of the top three so they have no reason to proceed further downward. I've had sites drop from #2 to #5 and traffic is gone. When the sites have returned to #2, the traffic has returned...

Also, there are some eye charts in Marketing in the Age of Google that kind of illustrate where people tend to focus and click the most on SERPs. It's a good book if you haven't read it.

Don't forget to cross check stuff with Google's other tools...

Google Trends
Google Insights for Search

[Marie A]

I have used it for a long time and seem to recall that Samurai also uses the data.

[Irnes Jakupovic]

Well for one I noticed that you have your GKWT set on "broad". You should use "exact" to narrow down the amount of people per month that search for the given keyword exactly.

When I put your KW on exact I got 18,000|9,900.

Next take a look at this:



And there you have your answer .

[Jeremy Vanlanda]

Perhaps you should check your Title and Meta Description out? Perhaps it isn't enticing your traffic to click your link? Just something to look at...

[HunterSnake]

@Irnes

Pretty accurate chart, I think. =) Thanks.

[wonder_corn]

I'm curious Irnes... You're so great... how do you come up with those chart? mind to share the information about the process or apps? thank you.

[Irnes Jakupovic]

Originally Posted by HunterSnake

@Irnes

Pretty accurate chart, I think. =) Thanks.

Originally Posted by wonder_corn

I'm curious Irnes... You're so great... how do you come up with those chart? mind to share the information about the process or apps? thank you.

No problem guys.
I am not the creator of the chart. I found it a while ago, saved the link and am just sharing it with you.
From my own SEO tests it's pretty reliable.

[gearmonkey]

Originally Posted by Irnes Jakupovic

Well for one I noticed that you have your GKWT set on "broad". You should use "exact" to narrow down the amount of people per month that search for the given keyword exactly.

When I put your KW on exact I got 18,000|9,900.

Next take a look at this:

And there you have your answer .

Looks like I want to be top 3 then.

I'd be happy with 800-900 visits per day from that simple keyword phrase. Thanks!

[Wi]

Originally Posted by gearmonkey

Looks like I want to be top 3 then.

I'd be happy with 800-900 visits per day from that simple keyword phrase. Thanks!

Well.. I would count on local... 9.900 searches per month - that would never be 800-900 visitors per day Not even 18.000 searches per month would be 800-900 visitors per day...

9.900 - 97,09% = 288(rounded down)...

288 will click the number 8 spot per month (according to the chart)..

Now... 288 / 30 = 9,6 visitors per day..

Now this is not accurate at all if you get only 3 visitors per day..

But keep in mind, that just because the chart says that you will get 2,91% of the visitors doesnt mean that you will, because there is other things that will determine this.. Is the title catchy? Is the meta description attractive, and does the link looks like spam or something like that?

I think the chart is great, I also use this chart sometimes It's a nice "reminder" so to speech!

Anyway.. Good luck

[opiniones]

great info WI. Thanks for that explanation.

[Wi]

Originally Posted by opiniones

great info WI. Thanks for that explanation.

You're welcome..

When you are using Google's Keywordtool, then PLEASE remember to search for "exact match" searches - this is SO important. I remeber when I first started to use the keyword tool.. I didn't check the "exact searches" box, and that ended up with me buying 15 domains, using a bunch of hours on each site, using a bunch of hours doing SEO on each site etc. etc. And when I reached the top 5 for these phrases, I was like:

What the hell just happened?

I didn't recieve any visitors - well yes.. Maybe 1-2 visitors per day! Oh memories, it's pretty funny to think back hehe.

Oh well.. Good luck with everything

[andrewHB]

This is way the Google Keyword Tool is useless.
(This is my own personal opinion).
The numbers are made for Adwords. Google does not make anything on SEO work, so the numbers are made for people buying any type of PPC.
I think that the chart is exactly right. The clicks do drop as you go down on the page. And with Google Exaggerating the numbers it makes for only 2-3 clicks per day!

The numbers are exaggerated!

[FivestarHB]

yes they may well be exaggerated, but what else are we to do? We can only work with the data that Google serves up, we are all working with the same data. All the SEO tools pull data from the same source. Intersting discussion, the chart is really useful and reinforces the importance of kewword selection(yes, as Wi says, always use EXACT - I actually like to use "phrase match") ad to keep up the link building. I have tended to reduce focus once my keyword makes it to page one, but now I am more inclined to keep working the KWD until it gets right to the top.

[ursimrankhanna]

HI, such a nice and help full post. thx for share with us .

[erazer]

If I'm not mistaken, that chart repeats on page two to a lesser degree. In other words, you would get more visitors at the top of page two than the bottom of page one.

[inter123]

The keyword tool from Google is a scam. These days I just take the view the maximum number of people searching is about 10% of exact match for keyword.

Jim.

[frqhuss]

Yeah google adword tool is good to target keyword of your niche...

[brettb]

The chart is good but if you make a catchy title and description you can punch above your weight.

The keyword tool is great but people tend to forget it's designer for advertisers and not us lot! Also it's only half the story as it does not show SEO competition to be in the top 10. You need Market Samuri or your own judgement for that.

[vivifoster]

Originally Posted by gearmonkey

This leads me to believe Google Keyword Tool is full of sh#t.

LOL.LOL.LOL.LOL!

[Promet_MKTG]

thanks for posting that. helps me remember that 25% of something small is better than 0% of something big!