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"Phrase Match" vs [Exact match] The results very wildly- What's the difference?

by jimmy506
6 replies
  • SEO
    • |
I don't understand the difference, except that some people say they search for niches using Exact match.

When using the Google keyword tool to search for niches, I set it to "phrase match" but if I switch from Phrase Match to Exact Match the numbers plunge to an undesirable level.

When looking at search volume for a long tail keyword, I've always used phrase match...

Have I been doing this wrong?

If not, why do people use Exact?
#difference #exact #match #phrase match #results #wildly
  • Profile picture of the author michael_nguyen
    Originally Posted by jimmy506 View Post

    I don't understand the difference, except that some people say they search for niches using Exact match.

    When using the Google keyword tool to search for niches, I set it to "phrase match" but if I switch from Phrase Match to Exact Match the numbers plunge to an undesirable level.

    When looking at search volume for a long tail keyword, I've always used phrase match...

    Have I been doing this wrong?

    If not, why do people use Exact?
    Exact: make money online
    Phrase: how can my i make money online
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    • Profile picture of the author jimmy506
      Thanks Michael... but I'm still confused.

      Partly because I have Market Samurai and There is an option to switch between Broad/Phrase/Exact. In their demo videos they are not comparing apples to apples.

      One person uses "Vintage Electric Guitars" set to Broad. Another Demo done by someone else in the company uses the "Vintage Electric Guitars" example, but set to Exact Match. Both go through the whole process of checking out the completion's titles,backlinks etc.

      I really like Market Samurai but I don't understand why they have conflicting demo videos. A mistake like leaving it set to the "broad" default could be disastrous.

      ..and still I'm left wondering: Exact or Phrase... which should I use?
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  • Profile picture of the author ptone
    Here is the difference:

    If you use Phrase Match, it will include all the times someone searched for:
    • Buy Vintage Electric Guitars
    • Vintage Electric Guitars Images
    • Vintage Electric Guitars On Sale
    • Discount Vintage Electric Guitars
    and so on.

    But if you use Exact Match, it will only include those searches where Vintage Electric Guitars was used for the search.

    If you were to use Broad, the number would include searches such as:
    • Vintage Electric Guitars
    • Electric Guitars
    • Vintage Guitars
    • Guitars
    • Electric
    • Vintage
    and so on.

    So, depending on what purpose your site/landing page serves will determine which match type you want to use for your keyword research.
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    • Profile picture of the author jimmy506
      Thanks very much Ptone!

      I'm looking at affiliate products with the keyword phrase in the URL.

      Do you recommend using Exact or Phrase:

      "Classic Blue Widgets"

      Thanks,
      Jimmy
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  • Profile picture of the author ptone
    If you are trying to come up with a domain name using your keyword phrase, then I would use exact. This is because you are trying to rank for that exact keyword in Google and the domain name will help boost your rankings.

    If you are using the Phrase match type, then you will see search numbers where people are using your keyword phrase along with other words that will not be in your domain name.

    Using exact, you will find out how many times that exact keyword is searched monthly and if your keyword phrase is worth targeting.

    Hope I am making sense here, if not, just let me know and I will try to clear it up.
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    • Profile picture of the author jimmy506
      Originally Posted by ptone View Post

      If you are trying to come up with a domain name using your keyword phrase, then I would use exact. This is because you are trying to rank for that exact keyword in Google and the domain name will help boost your rankings.
      Ok, I think I see what you mean now...

      Thanks again for the help.
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