how 'ACCURATE" is google keyword tool?

nicktyler

15 years ago

Not very!! Is the answer to haw accurate the search estimates are in Google KW tool.

Thanks

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hashbury

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Seofarmer

I was just doing some research and found a keyword (that doesn't quite make sense) with HIGH VOLUME of searches monthly.

I wonder how accurate the information is.
Any thoughts about this? Thanks

A few things to consider:

1.Does the keyword make sense in another country. Different countries can have different phrases for certain words/keywords.

2. Did you make sure you checked exact and not broad or phrase?

I find the google keyword tool to be accurate to a point.

Thanks

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John Williamson

15 years ago

The numbers you see are an estimate of last month's searches, so considering that, it's not extremely accurate, though I believe you can download a history of previous months.

Thanks

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JamesGw

15 years ago

At worst, I find it to be accurate with like a 50% margin, which really isn't that bad. If it reports 5000 searches, I can expect there to be between 2500 and 7500 searches on any given month with a reasonable degree of confidence.

Thanks
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Seofarmer 15 years ago

wow. i just checked the 'exact' feature.
and the search result dropped dramatically.

Not to mention that you guys said i will probably get +/- 50% of that (estimate). Its nearly nothing....
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- dburk 15 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Seofarmer
  
  wow. i just checked the 'exact' feature.
  and the search result dropped dramatically.
  
  Hi Seofarmer,
  
  The exact match setting is the only setting that shows you data for an individual keyword.
  
  Originally Posted by Seofarmer
  
  Not to mention that you guys said i will probably get +/- 50% of that (estimate). Its nearly nothing....
  
  While there are certain types of keywords, branded keywords in particular, that you might get that percentage of click-throughs, don't count on it, the average CTR for generic keywords tends to be less than 20% for the #1 position in the SERP.
  
  Thanks
  
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JSProjects

15 years ago

I've always looked at it as a very general estimation.

If you're willing to spend a few bucks you can create a really terrible Adwords ad for your keyword and get a true look at the # of searches over a period of time. Just make sure it's a lame ad to avoid getting too many clicks.

Thanks
1 reply

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premiumlinks99

15 years ago

Not very accurate.

As it was mentioned GKT gives you a general estimation, but for more accurate search estimation I would recommed you to use Market Samurai.

Thanks
2 replies

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hashbury

15 years ago

Originally Posted by premiumlinks99

Not very accurate.

As it was mentioned GKT gives you a general estimation, but for more accurate search estimation I would recommed you to use Market Samurai.

Correct me if im wrong, but doesnt MS get its results from googles keyword tool. Just like most of the other software does.

Thanks
1 reply

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dburk 15 years ago

Hi Seofarmer,

The Google Adwords Tool doesn't provide estimates it shows actual data. It isn't 100% accurate because it rounds off the numbers. With the exception of the rounding, it is as accurate as it gets. Now there are a lot of people who don't understand how the tool works, or what the data source is, but that is user error, not a fault of the tool.

I believe those that asserted that it is a "general estimation" have no idea what they are talking about. It's real data, it very accurate, just make sure you understand how to use the tool and what data is being displayed withe the different settings.
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Michael_Le

Banned 15 years ago

Originally Posted by premiumlinks99

Not very accurate.

As it was mentioned GKT gives you a general estimation, but for more accurate search estimation I would recommed you to use Market Samurai.

you do realise MS pulls its data from google right?

Thanks

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Seofarmer

15 years ago

Hey dburk,

Thank you very much for the info.
I believe if I am targeting a local keyword, i will then be looking into 'local monthly searches' (after selecting my country), then based on the keyword, take -20% off it?

and THEN refer to serp chart? (something like the following?)

Is this even accurate from your experience?

Thanks
1 reply

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dburk

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Seofarmer

Hey dburk,

Thank you very much for the info.
I believe if I am targeting a local keyword, i will then be looking into 'local monthly searches' (after selecting my country), then based on the keyword, take -20% off it?

Hi Seofarmer,

No, not exactly, take the local monthly searches for the exact match setting and multiply it by 20% (take 80% off).

Originally Posted by Seofarmer

Seofarmerand THEN refer to serp chart? (something like the following?)

Is this even accurate from your experience?

That chart doesn't show CTR, only percentage of clicks. You have to know the CTR before you can apply the percentage of clicks. The keyword tool shows search data not clicks. You need to apply an estimated CTR if you want estimate traffic.

Thanks
1 reply

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Seofarmer

15 years ago

Originally Posted by dburk

Hi Seofarmer,

No, not exactly, take the local monthly searches for the exact match setting and multiply it by 20% (take 80% off).

That chart doesn't show CTR, only percentage of clicks. You have to know the CTR before you can apply the percentage of clicks. The keyword tool shows search data not clicks. You need to apply an estimated CTR if you want estimate traffic.

Can you please explain why we only get 20% of the traffic (stats from google keyword)?

I am very sorry but i dont quite get your theory. I understand that the stats only show "search results" and not 'clicks', but usually people who search for that keyword will have the intention of 'clicking' anyways?

and what does CTR has to do with estimated traffic/click?

Please advise. Thanks in advance.

Thanks
1 reply

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dburk

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Seofarmer

Can you please explain why we only get 20% of the traffic (stats from google keyword)?

I am very sorry but i dont quite get your theory. I understand that the stats only show "search results" and not 'clicks', but usually people who search for that keyword will have the intention of 'clicking' anyways?

and what does CTR has to do with estimated traffic/click?

Please advise. Thanks in advance.

Hi Seofarmer,

First, it isn't a theory, it is statistical facts based on publicly available data.

To clarify just a bit, those stats you refer to are not "search results", they are search queries.

And yes, people usually have the "intention of clicking", however they often do not click. When someone searches and they don't get results inline with their intentions they usually refine their search by modifying the search terms. Therefor, not every search generates a click. Statistically, the average is less than 60% CTR and then those clicks are divided among all of the available results, including organic, sponsored, local, news, video and related terms.

Generic search terms rarely generate higher than 20% CTR for a single individual listing. That is no theory, it is a statistical fact based on empirical evidence.

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Kurt

15 years ago

Another factor to consider is Google is only reporting searches, and not click throughs.

It's possible an individual search doesn't produce any click throughs, whereas another search could produce multiple clickthroughs.

A keyword phrase that uses a word like "cheap": "cheap airline tickets" will likely produce more clicks per search than other searches.

This is because the use of the word "cheap" indicates that the searcher is doing some cost comparisons, and will likely visit more than one site to find the lowest price.

You also need to fact in some hard core SEOers will inflate the numbers of keywords in their niches by automating certain queries to camouflage their own profitable keywords. The research may show a keyword getting 5000 searches per month, when in reality, 4000 of those are artificial.

Thanks
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Seofarmer

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Kurt

Another factor to consider is Google is only reporting searches, and not click throughs.

It's possible an individual search doesn't produce any click throughs, whereas another search could produce multiple clickthroughs.

A keyword phrase that uses a word like "cheap": "cheap airline tickets" will likely produce more clicks per search than other searches.

This is because the use of the word "cheap" indicates that the searcher is doing some cost comparisons, and will likely visit more than one site to find the lowest price.

You also need to fact in some hard core SEOers will inflate the numbers of keywords in their niches by automating certain queries to camouflage their own profitable keywords. The research may show a keyword getting 5000 searches per month, when in reality, 4000 of those are artificial.

Thanks for the input.

Well, i figured that the keyword tool doesnt show the click through rate, thats why I always refer to the 'serp chart' above. I dont know if it makes sense, but i got this chart from others and it seems pretty realistic.

What you guys think

Thanks

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Seofarmer

15 years ago

Hey dburk,

Thanks again for responding to my questions.

So in general, it should be calculated as follow:

search queries x 0.20 = CTR (as close as we get in terms of estimate)

With the CTR, refer to that rainbow chart and based on the position we are on, thats the 'estimated' traffic? (once again, as close as we get)

Am i right?
(the numbers seem to be quite disappointing, unfortunately)

Thanks

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curtainsandblind

15 years ago

Match setting is only one setting that shows your data by individual keyword

Thanks

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how 'ACCURATE" is google keyword tool?

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