Free Keyword Tools: Wordtracker vs Google Adwords Keyword Tool

[JeffLam]

Howdy to all,

I am starting this thread to gather opinions from all on the above mentioned keyword tools. Also, I would like to clarify some keyword research here too.

Call me a cheapo, but as of now I prefer to stick to free keyword tools first for my keyword research!

Now my question is: Which tool is more reliable? Which tool is more accurate? Which tool is more efficient and finally, which tool do you use most for your keyword research?

I know that wordtracker shows searches per day, while google keyword tool displays searches per month for local and global(?).

However, there seems to be inconsistencies with both at times.

Let's say, for the term 'dog training', I get 1 500 000 searches locally for last month (May) on Google Adwords Keyword tool. And when I key in the term to wordtracker, I get 1141 searches.

Now, does that mean for today there are 1141 searches for 'dog training' while for the past month of May, there is about 1 500 000 searches for dog training? If that is so, then it doesn't add up mathematically. 1141 x about 30 days/mth does not equals to 1 500 000 searches!

Which tool is better for keyword research then?

Next, I would like to ask if there is still a use in putting "" (quotation marks) into keyword research on Google. I understand that it shows more 'exact' terms to show your 'real competiting' sites. However, what is the use of this when very little searches are based on quotation marks? (and on this topic, with allintitle, allinurl and allinanchor?)

I ask this because recently one of my website is ranked highly on Google for the keyword term that I wanted..however, it only ranked high with the quotation marks added to it.

Last but not least, call me a newbie, but what is the meaning of 'bluefart'?

Cheers!
Jeff

[dandee0014]

I just posted a similar thread. I don't know enough about WordTracker, but some people here seem to speak pretty highly of it.

What I do know about the adwords tool based on my own experience (unless I'm just reading something wrong) is that it shows the exact phrase for a term that I have a #1 ranking on to get over 300,000 searches per month - yet I've only gotten 6 visits based on that search term over the last month.

This is grossly off the mark and worries me about trusting G's tool. I'd hate to waste all that time building up page rank for certain terms that show high search volume in the adwords tool, only to learn that they ended up bringing me no visitors.

[Kevin Koop]

Hey Jeff,

I have been a past user (for an entire year) of Wordtracker and have used many other keyword tools as well (both free and paid).

While I belive Wordtracker to be an excellent tool/service, I don't use it anymore because I have enough recurring payments as it is. ;- )

As far as accuracy goes, I really don't think either are super accurate and only use the search volume figures to guage whether or not a phrase appears to decent search volume.

While you are right in saying that few actually enter quotes around their search phrases, it is still provides helpful information.

It lets you know how many other marketers/webmasters are targeting the specific term. If there are not too many pages indexed for the phrase (encased by quotes) then it will generally be pretty easy/fast to rank for the term providing your onpage SEO is good and you build a few quality links.

Of all of the keyword tools I own, I generally only use one now and that is Micro Niche Finder. It pulls its info from Google's tool (and other places) so the accuracy is the same as using the free tool but it also provides OCI information and a bunch of other options and puts them into one nice, neat application.

The cost is one time so there is no recurring payment.

Hope this helps,
Kevin

[JeffLam]

Originally Posted by dandee0014

I just posted a similar thread. I don't know enough about WordTracker, but some people here seem to speak pretty highly of it.

What I do know about the adwords tool based on my own experience (unless I'm just reading something wrong) is that it shows the exact phrase for a term that I have a #1 ranking on to get over 300,000 searches per month - yet I've only gotten 6 visits based on that search term over the last month.

This is grossly off the mark and worries me about trusting G's tool. I'd hate to waste all that time building up page rank for certain terms that show high search volume in the adwords tool, only to learn that they ended up bringing me no visitors.

Sorry for posting a duplicate thread! Did not notice your thread..

You bring up a very important thing in which it has a large impact. I believe(correct me if I'm wrong) many of the SEO keyword tracking tools uses these search engines to perform their keyword research. Tools such as Market Samurai, Spyfu and Ispionage(?)? If the basic free tools are inaccurate(especially Google's adwords keyword tool), can these paid tools be reliable?

And this will impact on keyword research for niches. Keyword research is the root of most Internet Marketing ventures. If the facts that we recieve from such keyword research is not accurate - most keyword researchers are being 'cheated' of their time and effort. Time spent on working on a keyword believed to be of great search density are wasted as results are inaccurate and inconsistent with what they are obtaining, as exemplified by you, dandee0014.

Originally Posted by Kevin Koop

Hey Jeff,

I have been a past user (for an entire year) of Wordtracker and have used many other keyword tools as well (both free and paid).

While I belive Wordtracker to be an excellent tool/service, I don't use it anymore because I have enough recurring payments as it is. ;- )

As far as accuracy goes, I really don't think either are super accurate and only use the search volume figures to guage whether or not a phrase appears to decent search volume.

While you are right in saying that few actually enter quotes around their search phrases, it is still provides helpful information.

It lets you know how many other marketers/webmasters are targeting the specific term. If there are not too many pages indexed for the phrase (encased by quotes) then it will generally be pretty easy/fast to rank for the term providing your onpage SEO is good and you build a few quality links.

Of all of the keyword tools I own, I generally only use one now and that is Micro Niche Finder. It pulls its info from Google's tool (and other places) so the accuracy is the same as using the free tool but it also provides OCI information and a bunch of other options and puts them into one nice, neat application.

The cost is one time so there is no recurring payment.

Hope this helps,
Kevin

Enough recurring payments..? How can there ever be enough payments?

On the point of using quotes for keywords to see your competitors, I understand the reason for it. However, the main point of all this research is still to rank high for the popular keyword without quotes - in which people are doing! So won't using quotes just be 'consoling' yourself that the competition is 'lesser' as definitely with quotes the keywords will have lesser sites? Is there a relation as to that with lesser competiting sites with the quotes, you definately can rank easier for the keywords when you take off the quotes?

On the point of you using Micro Niche Finder, if Google Adword tool proves to be inaccurate, of what reliability is Micro Niche Finder then? Do you recommend using it?

Btw, what is 'OCI'?

Thanks!
Jeff

[Steven Carl Kelly]

The only paid KW research tool I use is MNF. I don't pay for any of the online keyword providers, because I don't believe they are worth the money. I used to be a Wordtracker subscriber but dropped that a long time ago.

As far as coming up with accurate numbers, please see this thread where I explain my formula that has proven successful for myself and my students:

Conflicting methods of analyzing keyword competition