Comments on: Why you shouldn’t use Google’s keyword tool for SEO

By: Malcolm Coles

Malcolm Coles — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:15:12 +0000

Thanks. Er, this post is 18 months old though. And I was only using broad-match terms to make a comparison. And I don't use this tool as should be clear. But I'll definitely check out some SEOMOZ tutorials, soon, and hold off posting any more blog posts until I've watched them all.

By: Jakub

Jakub — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:25:51 +0000

Good point but I tested it and got the same results when logged in or out.
NEVER TRUST TO KEYWORD TOOL!!! I managed to optimise my website for the most searched and the most copmetetive keywords in my niche. One of the keywords has 27 000 exact searches per month according to Google and I got to the #8. Believe it or not I only get 1-2 clicks per day! The other keyword has 23K exact searches per month and I got it to #2 believe it or not this only gives me about 25-35 clicks per day!
GOOGLE's keyword search information are NOT ACCURATE. I would expect to get at least 170 clicks per day for these two keywords and it barely gives me 40 clicks if I am lucky.
In addition I must agree with some of the comments above as Addword campaigns are useless and expensive. Who the hell pays £0.70 per one click!(in my case) Google addwords are madness AVOID them at all cost!

By: Johnny B

Johnny B — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:45:34 +0000

Hi Malcolm,

Interesting post and it's comforting to see that you have a genuine interest in females and their underware.

It's also funny to see that you completely slate Google's Keyword Tool but you have no real concrete evidence to back it up and the best bit... you clearly don't know SEO if you are using broad phrase match data to work out keywords and riding the back of an old wave to drum up business for your fred-in-a-shed business freelancing dream.

I would suggest you start off on the ground level and get in with a company to learn SEO rather than cast your fishing rod out there in the hope confused newbies will come running into your arms. You need to understand local and global search matches as well. As a seasoned SEO expert, I could help you out and point you to a number of tutorials on SEOMOZ so you can learn how to approach SEO, rather than try and pick holes at the giant that we are all dependant upon which is Google and will always be Google for the foreseeable future.

If you are not using Google Keyword Tool you are missing out a treat and you should be using it. There is no other software app out there that provides reliable consistent accurate data on natural search which represents around 90% of natural search SEO in the UK.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:26:50 +0000

I was just about to use this tool, although I did notice that it related to "adwords" which I imagine has a different agenda and which I don't want. I just want to see what words are most searched in my HR support and CV writing fields.

I stumbled across your blog (which clearly has excellent SEO) and it's blown me away! At least, it's put me right back to Square One!

Where to start?

Barbara

By: Georgiy

Georgiy — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:57:37 +0000

Heya!
The amazing tool you referred to doesn't work....
Is there anything else you can recommend? Maybe ubersuggest?

By: Emil Glownia

Emil Glownia — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:02:11 +0000

I have made through testing of google analytics and I can confirm it overestimate keywords.

With EXACT option I get global impression that are largely overestimated for keywords that are short. The shorter the keyword to larger the difference. For instance one keyword was 18,100 (12month average) but reality is that I get only 5,500 impressions (checked on google webmaster for top 1 page that gets all impressions and confirmed by expected traffic for top 1 about 50% clicks from impressions).

Another keyword shorter is 110,000 impression but reality is that it probably is only 10-15k. It seems EXACT still add ups related keyword it seems to work like starts with (not exact). I checked this theory and it kind of seems to much very well. I believe this is google bug which they don't want to see.

I have certain keyword that are very accurate but there is only this kind of "keyword" and it is 6 words in total so quite unique.

By: Julianna Doran

Julianna Doran — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:25:13 +0000

Hi, you page always comes up when I search for the G keyword tool as I dont have it bookmarked. I am so glad I read this and that others have the same issues/thoughts about G keyword tool. I just take 20 percent off the top of any numbers I get in exact matches due to how google gets to their numbers. It has worked for me so far. Are there any other tools out there?

By: Daniel

Daniel — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 12:49:43 +0000

Quite interesting post, Malcolm.

I was just using the Google Ad word Keyword tool just now.

You made me jump a bit, with what you said about the logged in and logged out Google keyword returned search results.

Until you said it was a bug that had been remedied. I thought I could have used those extreme variations in search results for justifying my sometimes not so good Keyword research results.
The Google tool is quite good for a quick run through of possible Keyword options.

I do have Market Samurai for more in depth Analysis. Though, Market Samurai uses the Google Keyword tool for it's own Keyword Analysis module.

Also, Market Samurai, as great a tool as it is, can sometimes run very slowly before returning the data you require.

By: Graz

Graz — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:46:23 +0000

Google's keyword tool has worked perfectly for me and has proved to get results. Although I take the search volume with a pinch of salt, it's great and I wouldn't stop using it.

By: Woody

Woody — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:53:00 +0000

I have been using the G tool for the last 5 years and never noticed that I build mini search engine sites taylored around what people are suppost to be searching for, based on your find some searches that i get that say 5000k searches per month might only get 500 that would explain why some of sites do better than others, this is a realy good find Malcolm just shows you not everything is what it seems to be. keep us all posted on any new finds.

Regards
Lee