Warning - Google Keyword Tool is WAAAAY wrong...look at this!

by ShawnP

Posted: 14 years ago 30 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

So, apparently Google is doing away with their old keyword tool interface and moving to a new one to show more accurate results.

Hogwash.

I just did a search using the new tool for one of my keywords hoping to finally see some accurate numbers (because I know what the real numbers are...I'm @ #1). Here is what Google shows for the keyword "web video":

Wouldn't that be nice? Here is where my site ranks for that keyword:

And here is a more accurate assessment of the search volume I actually get for this keyword:

See what I mean??? 450,000 monthly searches vs. 2,900 actual monthly searches. Read that again. 450,000 estimated vs. 2,900 actual. WTF?

In my opinion a much better keyword tool to use is the Search-based keyword tool but it looks like they are discontinuing this tool. The difference in what this tool shows vs. what the Adwords Keyword Tool shows is staggering.

I would love to hear where I went wrong in my usage of said tools.

#google #keyword #tool #waaaay #warning #wronglook

Ryah Albatros 14 years ago

I'm no expert but my first thought is are you on broad match or exact match? Exact match for the words web video will probably give you more reasonable numbers.

I'll be interested to read what others say; this is always such a minefield.
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ShawnP 14 years ago

Exact match shows the exact same thing.
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Ryah Albatros 14 years ago

Well, there we go. I shouldn't bother answering, I really know nothing of use!
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ShawnP 14 years ago

No, no, good call...I thought the same thing at first.
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- rosetrees 14 years ago
  
  If I do that search using the Google keyword tool
  broad = 450,000 matches
  exact = 5,400
  
  Are you sure you unticked "broad" when you ticked "exact"?
  
  Edit: Woops - I see we all cross posted!
  
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  ShawnP 14 years ago
  
  Umm...*redface*...I'm an idiot. Yes, I unticked the little box it looks like. Thank you for showing me where I went wrong guys. I'm glad I was wrong though and the tool isn't totally useless.
  
  My bad.
  
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  thecableguy 14 years ago
  
  JMO but Google's tool is for the Adwords advertisers doesn't display the ORGANIC results, it combines the search network, content network AND PPC results and the results tends to be inflated for those doing ORGANIC research. Wordtracker (the free tool, daily searches) tends to be more accurate MOST of the time, they've offered their paid subscription service for about 10 years and wouldn't still be in business if they gave bad results.
  
  However having reached #1 on Google for some terms I can say that both tools can occasionally can get way out of whack with the search counts, and thus the results were very disappointing. With wordtracker it's usually the longer tail search phrases. Google is great for getting CPC and advertiser competition to see the marketability of the keyword, but I tend to favor Wordtracker results, however I always crosscheck the results before going after a keyword.
  
  Free keyword suggestion tool for SEO, Adwords & blogging
  
  Seo Book Keyword Suggestion Tool
  
  Thanks
  
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Ryah Albatros 14 years ago

Sorry, I'm back! I've just done the same search and on Exact Match I get 5,400 global monthly searches. I'll get a screenshot...It's bit small
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- GoodnightSweetRatRace 14 years ago
  
  Yeah I'm getting 5,400 for exact aswell dude..
  
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Kakashi 14 years ago

My opinion is all keyword tools just give the estimation figure.
the figure will keep changing based on time as well. but on average.
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mr2monster 14 years ago

The google tools have never been accurate. They're just a means for bettering your guesses.

This is why I test most of my keywords with PPC. I've wasted WAY too much time doing SEO for keyword terms that never end up working out.
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ShawnP 14 years ago

I know they aren't accurate, I've always known that, but this is ridiculous. Look at the difference!

For those of you getting 5,400 for that term, could you post a screenshot? I'll do the exact same thing and post my screenshot. Thanks.
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- coffeebun 14 years ago
  
  When I checked your keyword web video I got 450,000 - 165,000 for a broad search but only 5,400 - 720 for exact searches too
  
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- sax.sunny 14 years ago
  
  Google Webmasters' Tool is showing you the Exact Match result. And that's 2900. And you compared the Google's New Keyword Research tool with a Broad Match Data that's why you found the big difference.
  
  But if you use Exact Match it shows 5400. So this is quite acceptable, cuz these tools only give Estimation.
  
  Additionally, it looks like the new tool has really improved. See the two screen shots attached.
  
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Ryah Albatros 14 years ago

See mine above
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- GoodnightSweetRatRace 14 years ago
  
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oneplusone 14 years ago

If the exact match is 5,400, and you're getting 2,900...

Although many of the results have been way off the mark, even on exact match recently.

A great explanation for the confusion is here:

Why the Keyword Tool is showing different results

(Forum page is a bit slow to load but worth the wait)
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terrapurus 14 years ago

I am showing exact search volume of 178 per day. Lets say you get 40% for being in pos 1. That is about 71 searches. Multiply by 30 gives 2136. That is for users typing exactly that phrase.
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Latsyrc 14 years ago

I just skimmed this post, but this has been cleared up for me before.

The new Google beta tool does NOT include Google partners. The old interface included partners. So using exact match for BOTH interfaces WILL show different results. This has been a big uproar for people who have purchased domains relying on these tools.
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Sleaklight 14 years ago

Also, chances are that you do not rank page 1 all over the world for that keyword so you'll probably never seen all 5400 impressions show up.
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yourhotkitty

Banned 14 years ago

[DELETED]

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Super Affiliate

14 years ago

Originally Posted by yourhotkitty

This is crazy, google is out to use and profit off of anyone they can in anyway. I think they try to keep the little businesses down and the big spenders on page one. When someone searches for a specific keyword if your business offers that you should have to build backlinks to get found??

The link in your sig - I don't think sex stuff is allowed in here.

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website design 14 years ago

Google constantly changes the game and the rules.

Lesson learned - don't put all your marketing strategies in Google - they can't be trusted.
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Chris Worner

14 years ago

If you want to get more accurate results, run an adwords campaign for a day or two, make the adcopy unrelated so nobody clicks on the ad and see how many impressions your ad experienced and use that as you guide instead.

Works like a charm!

Respectfully
Chris

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Super Affiliate

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Chris Worner

I know what you suggested is exactly what we should do to get accurate impressions. But you need to prepare to spend some money doing this. Even though however you run TOTALLY unrelated ads, some "odd" people click on it and I've wasted at least $30-40 just testing.

I guess those few "odd" people find it fascinating to see completely "unrelated" ads and become curious to find out by clicking it.

But you're right. There's nothing else that gives your more accurate number of searches than this method.

Joe

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Chris Worner

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Super Affiliate

Really? guess it is market dependent but I have never spent more than a couple of dollars, per keyword.

Chris

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Super Affiliate 14 years ago

Originally Posted by Chris Worner

Really? guess it is market dependent but I have never spent more than a couple of dollars, per keyword.

Chris

What happened was a few warriors who suggested this method in their WSOs said I should bid something ridiculous like $10 per click to make sure you're on the 1st page. When I did that, 3 or 4 people clicked on it. Bummer, right? But then I never had one campaign where people didn't click my ad.

But if finding out the exact impression and searches is important, this is a minor issue I guess. : )

Joe
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pcpupil 14 years ago

Originally Posted by Chris Worner

Really? guess it is market dependent but I have never spent more than a couple of dollars, per keyword.

Chris

I have done this also and never spent anything more than $1.00 so far.
Now i only let my ad run 24 hrs then i pull it so the big g humans wont catch it.

And i only run 1 ad at a time.
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Fazal Mayar 14 years ago

Never rely on google keyworld tool to know the exact number of search volume of a keyword. This tool is only good for an '' estimation '' and you also get to know if the competition is huge or not.
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hustlenflow 14 years ago

Never use the keyword tool, its useless and extremely inaccurate. I learned that the hard way after doing seo.
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Nour Saber 14 years ago

Hey guys / gals.

Actually in my opinion since googel updated its new keyword tool (the layout and these stuff) many people have complained from the results they get and they say its not accurate and in fact thats kinda true because the information you see right now (believe it or not) is the old information and google doesn't update it every day .However, they update it every certain period of time so i guess the old information is still there (once when people were looking for that keyword).

Note: You can use a keyword tool like Market Samurai or Micro Niche Finder or anything else and if you like the free tools there is a pretty good tool called Traffic Travis (its totally free) google it and you should see it .

Hope that helped.

Nour Saber
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Warning - Google Keyword Tool is WAAAAY wrong...look at this!

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