How To Find the Most Popular Search Terms, Specific Keywords, Hot Topics, and Phrases for your Blog.
In a previous post "How To Create A Blog Post for Customers and Search Engines" I made the comment about picking your title (something someone would search for in the search engines) and then writing your post to match the title. Much like a song writer picks a topic or title, and writes the song or music around that title or subject. Knowing what topics are "HOT" and which keywords and phrases are most used in the search engines could be a valuable and powerful piece to the Blogging puzzle.
The best rule-of-thumb is to always write compelling content that attracts the attention and interest of readers. it makes a significant difference and impact when you know what key phrases and search terms people are searching for. If you can figure out what consumers are typing (the exact keywords or phrases) then writing your Blog posts to match those searches should bring you even greater success.
Here's some Google tools and ways to find out what searches and keywords are being used.
(Be sure you take a moment and setup your FREE Google account in order to utilize these tools)
1. Google Trends
Google Trends allows you to see what's "HOT" in terms of searches currently being made on Google. You can enter your own search terms to see how they rank and rate in different geographic areas. Another link to visit is the Google TOP HOT TRENDS, which are the top 100 searches. This page is updated hourly.
2. Google Insights
Google has some great tools, but they require spending some time understanding "How They Work" in order for you to maximize their power and potential. Google Insights For Search (in simple terms) allows you to "See what the world is searching for" with the ability to filter by content, geographic location, time frames, and categories.
3. Google Search-Based Keywords
Signing up for Google Adwords does not mean you have to use the pay per click or incorporate them into your site, but it does allow you to use some of these tools like "Google Search-based Keyword Tool" which enables you to search sites and filter keywords and terms. I used Google.com and the term Real Estate to see what the most common searches were on Google. This is a great tool and will really be an eye opener.
4. Google AdWords Keyword
Need more ideas for Keywords or phrases? This is one of my favorites. Just when you think you have covered every possible keyword or search worthy term or phrase, Google Adwords Keyword Tool suggests even more. You can use this "keyword tool" to get new ideas by using the filters provided. Also use synonyms to enhance your creative ideas for suggested phrases or terms.
5. Google Auto-Suggest
Google.com/WebHp looks like a regular Google search engine with one unique and hidden difference. It has the "Google Auto Suggest" tool. As you begin to type in your "keywords" or "Search Terms and Phrases" Google pulls up the most searched terms and phrases around your search terms. As you begin to type in the search box, a list of common terms and keywords most searched automatically populates below your search terms. These are some keywords and terms you might want to consider using in future Blog posts.
6. Beyond The Google Tool Box
Beyond the Google Tool Box, there are other sites like WordTracker, SEOTools, and CopyBlogger that offer some pretty simple and nifty solutions to finding and discovering what your "customers are searching" for. WordTracker even offers a FREE Keyword Research Guide. Take your time learning and understanding some of these tools, they will save you time in the long run and make you more profitable once you apply what you have learned.
Using the Best Search Terms, Keywords, Topics, and Phrases will boost your SEO, traffic, and business.
How To Create A Blog Post for Consumers and Search Engines
Create Stickiness, Increase Traffic and Get Visitors Coming Back
I have not tried Google Trends sounds very interesting and since I have some blog posts to work on today I think I am going to head over to google trends and make sure Im hitting the right words.
Great stuff! I always thought that when I was typing something into the search box that the results were coming up in the order of which I last entered that phrase, but your comments make more sense.
Brad,
Thank You Again, I will be setting up my Google trends account today!
Judy
Thanks Brad - I'll check this out today before we're onto the next hyper-linked local post.
Brad,
Those are some great Google-tips! Tahnk you for educating us about finding out the most popular keywords and searcheson Google.
Donna - I always thought that too. In the regular google.com search box, I think that does apply, but with google.com/webhp, I tried an experiment using two keywords I had never typed in Google before and saw the following pop up. These are not keywords or search terms I have ever previously used in Google. Very interesting and useful info if you ask me.
Brad, Your advice is wonderful...I've got every post bookmarked and am trying to incorporate your suggestions into my blog posts. It's like learning to write all over again because I'd heard of some of these things but had not taken the time to implement them...I'm trying :) Thank you!!
Good morning Brad-You never cease to amaze me how much info you have and we being a part of this wonderful network get the benefit. I hope you are doing well. I love the photo of you and family by the tree in your recent instructional post. Love your hat. COOL!!! P.S. Congrats to you and your son on his recent graduation with honors and your promised and I am sure exciting trip to Hawaii. You are a good man and dad. Not to mention AR GURU, Have a super week. Still not under 50 words as you can see. LOL
Hi Brad I am on my way out but wow ..does this look interesting and valuable ...will bookmark this one and read when i get back
Brad another post I will need to bookmark and printout the steps, that way I will be able to reference them quickly. Thank you for sharing more valuable information.
Hi Brad. I just looked at my GetClicky account this morning. It tells me the search words that people are using to get to my blog. It's really interesting. Thanks for giving us new tools to use!
Brad,
Thanks for another very informative post. Google auto suggest is great. I believe it is now in place on most google searches. I know it is in the omnibox on Google Chrome. Fortunately, when typing "Port Aransas" in the search box, "Port Aransas Real Estate" is the sixth automatic suggestion. Since those are my keywords, life is good. Bing and Yahoo also use auto suggest. That really makes the right keywords more important than ever.
Keith
Brad - you always write the most interesting and informative posts! Thanks for all the information you share with us. I always read your blog whenever I log onto Active Rain.
Cheers, on this beautiful morning from Victoria, British Columbia ...
Brad - Thanks for the insight. There is only one way to stay on top of the search engines - use the tools available.
Thanks for this post about Finding Popular Search Terms, Keywords, Topics and Phrases. The interesting one ot me looks like Google.com/WebHp looks, which I will check out.
Brad: Great post. It is very well written and provides a wealth of helpful information. Thanks!
Once again, Brad, thanks for making us smarter and richer!
Terrific info Brad for all of us to get more business and more notice of what people are searching for!
So Brad, your comment back to Donna - you're saying that Google 'suggested' those based on your search?
Brad, You are fast becoming my mentor. I'm bookmarking so many of your posts and implementing your ideas as I can. Great one again. Thanks.
Thanks Brad! I bookmarked this to come back to later....we're moving in 5 days (a house just around the block, but still requires the same amount of time and effort...go figure).
As always, you rock the house. Thanks again!
Brad - Between you and the rest of the AR staff you got me working 16 hour workdays!! I'm working hard to digest the tidal wave of great info from you guys. I am confident that those that are sticking to and reading the recent posts on here will be very handsomely rewarded in their business. I can't thank you enough.
Brad - You should have posted a warning with this post that the Keyword Tools are addicting:) I've spent hours researching different combinations over the last several months.
I have a Google account and have been using some of the tools. I guess I am going to have to wade through stuff and figure out how to use some of these other tools.
Thanks Brad another gem bookmarked. Oh no after reading Erik's comment I do not need more addictive researches on the PC!
Brad - thanks again. I'll be looking into Trends today and forwarding this on to my agents. Awesome info!
Thanks Brad, I have used several of your suggestions above. Awesome tools.
I really appreciate your latest posts. I have become a much better blogger this last few weeks! I thank you!
Brad, thanks I am going to definitely check out the links you have provided.
Brad- I use google keyword tool almost daily. I rarely choose keywords without using keyword tool and keep a running log because you can save all the keywords as you are searching, finding those with low competition and good search volume, on the side and then convert it to notepad or excel and keep working off the list thus saving a lot of time. Thanks for google trends, have not used it yet, but am on our way to do so.
This can really help people out. In order to maximize our effectiveness with search engines, we must know how to optimize our blogs and website with content that people search for.
Thanks, Brad, Ditto to what everyone else has said, and I get as much from the comments that I have gotten slack in doing post b/c I can hardly keep up with the readings. be good cw
Brad - This information is great. Thanks for taking the time and putting it out there for all of us to explore and learn from your vast knowledge bank. Your post on writing a post for customers and search engines was great. I have to check out your post on stickiness and traffic. How did I miss that?! Thank you so much.
Hey Brad, Thanks for the response. I'll definitely go and start checking more into the terms I use.
I'm just setting up my blog. There is so much valuable information available through AR. Brad, thanks for all the great info.
excellent, I use Google a lot for this kind of infomration. It even has the ability for you to narrow down the search to the Ready Buyer... Pretty cool
Hey Brad, I always enjoy your informative posts.
Thanks as always,
Patricia
All this SEO information is invaluable. Thank you very much for all your hard work. Thanks to for the congrats you sent me on my article moving up to number five.
I'm becoming obsessed. :)
Brad, I've barely digested your other informative blogs and now more really helpful information. This is harder than when I was in graduate school, but I will say this, I'm learning a lot more useful information. You look like you need a vacation in FL. .. stop by and I'll supply the pina coladas while we chat over my computer. blogs, tag words , etc.
Hi Brad ~ This goes several steps beyond anything I've done on google - love it! It's such an eye-opener to see the terms searchers use. Thanks!
Liz
Great info and something I had no clue existed. You are a plethora of knowledge and your help is greatly appreciated. Really appreciate your screen shots.
Thanks for the info. Very helpful for us rookies.
And it isn' difficult to add a title to your web site that will help with placement and add those hidden meta tags that will give you a boost as well. Put yourself in the consumers shoes and ask yourself, what would they like to look at or for on your site.
Brad,
This is excellent information.
Brian
Bookmarked! I have some studying to do. thanks
This is interesting. I tried Google Trends for some very specific keywords for my area, and it told me that there wasn't enough volume for it. Does it matter where you are when searching for info? That brings me back to an earlier post of mine in which I queried if our location was a driving force behind how much (or how little) business we can generate from the internet.
Hey Brad, All I can say is so many keywords, so little time!
Brad: Thanks for the tips.. I have not used Google trends.. I need to check this out.
Brad: It's like my mind is a dark closet and you just turned on the light switch. Thanks so much for sharing this information.
Again, good advice...I also liked your post on Creating Stickiness to get the visitors to come back and stay longer. You mentioned some things that I had not thought about in trying to build a popular blog. Thanks for keeping us current on the tools needed to stay successful.
Brad - great information. Yet another post I am bookmarking to review during my "Saturday Study" sessions. I use some of google tools, but I haven't had the time to explore all of them (especially since I am already getting phenomenal results from the ones I'm using). Thanks so much for sharing.
http://www.twitter.com/mortgageva
Brad,
This post is excellent. Tell your wife that she should charge you more when coming up for these amazing ideas for your blog. :-)
Oops, that was me on that last one..........
Thanks for the tips and tools. I've been trying to participate in the hyper local post bonus thing, and have found that writing to the title makes the content a little dry. Maybe looking up new key words will hep.
Brad - Thank you for the post. It is extremely informative and something I need to take action on. Thank you for the tips, they will be very helpful to look back on for more instruction!
Laurie
Wow, so much great information in one blog. Thanks as always for the tips.
Hi Brad -- I have an Adwords account but haven't played with it much. Your post was so clear I think it's imperative to get this right, or relevant in order to capitalize on all this hard work -- thank you.
I'm getting the idea that this "Google" you speak of plays an important role in our blogging. :)
I am new to bloggin on Active Rain but I find...quite by coincidence...that I am selecting your posts because the title appeals to me. Then I am astounded by your depth of knowledge and grateful that you are so generous in sharing this wealth of information. This is EXACTLY the information I need today. Thank you so much!
Brad - thanks for this information. I will book mark for future reference, and have already checked out the trends in my area.
I am new to blogging on Active Rain and have so much to learn! After reading this post, it's clear that I have to upgrade to the Rainmaker account.....and I WILL. Thanks!
HI there - I really like the Google.com/WebHp page, that is really helpful and thanks!
Blog-n-Roll...
You Guys are making my head hurt :)
TLW...ROAR!
Howdy there Brad
Thank you very kindly, for such helpful posts, with ideas and tools, to help us become better blog post writers. I sure have been using your tips. I even wrote a post for Bob's Hyper Local Content post.
Now See...
I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing cuzz I'm way to busy messing around on Google :)
TLW...ROAR!
I need to like read this everyday Brad so this blog can help me write better blogs that I will drive traffic to my outside blogs and convert my consumers into closing. Thanks for sharing this very well written blog. Great post.
Hit Tail is good, too... and free the last time I checked. Using your own content it can tell you the "value" of the searches that hit your site and suggest keywords.
... I have put aside 2 hours for tomorrow to reread your last 3 blogs and Jeremy's too !!!
You do realize how many people's lives you personally improve right ?
... you are Da Mango !!!!!
Cheers Mate ! - Great tips ...
Sheldon
These are some great suggestions. I was aware of the Google key word tool but not the rest.
Hi Brad, This is simply a wonderful post and something that will be a help to all of us. Thanks so much for assembling all this. I set this liks up on my task bar for easy access. Great!
Google Trends is new to me and I thought I was on top of all things Google! After just a short time I'm noticing I'm picking up all kinds of interesting info here at AR. Thanks!
Thanks for all the awesome comments everyone, I'm glad this post is bringing some value to the network and to each of you.
Do you realize how long these darn things take to find, learn , and then post to share? LOL~ I humbly and sincerely hope that Sheldon is right! If my time spent here on AR will personally improve peoples lives, then that is the greatest gift and reward I could ever receive.
Our time is the greatest gift we can ever give to another. Thanks again to each of you for yours. :-))
Brad, you genius! Thanks for doing the hard work for us and letting us pick up the diamonds.
Mike in Tucson
Brad:
Thank you for the information. I've got incorporate your suggestions in my blog posts.
BRAD- Thank you... these are great suggestions! I lok forward to trying them and appreciate you pointing them out!
Thanks for the great info on google. I'm transitioning a lot of my mobile syncing to google and need to get more involved with this also.
Brad really great work with this post. Everyone should be taking all your advice! I love tracking all the keywords that I come up for in the searches!
Haven't seen these all organized in one place before, good list.
Thanks Brad. You've pulled it all together in one post and it make it so much easier to understand. We all have information and experiences to share; however, simply posting the info and not having it read is not gratifying.
I really enjoy and learn so much from your posts. Thanks for sharing.
I love all your posts, thankyou so much for sharing all this valuble info, I have found it very useful.
Thanks Brad
I'm checking it out now.
Lane - Hit Tail is another great tool, thanks for mentioning that. The first 60 days are FREE to trial, then it's $29.95 per month. As with any investment we make towards tools and marketing, the ROI really depends on how you use them, and the results you get. In todays market, with all the booming social media marketing platforms, I think all these types of tools and sites should at least be researched and investigated. :-)
Thanks Brad! You always have something so helpful to share. Thinking about what to write about is one of my biggest stumbling blocks. I just added them to my toolbar to have handy!
Wow Brad - This couldn't be more timely for me. I was just wondering the other day where I could get a refreshed keyword list and some additional tools to help me maximize my flagship website. I started writing all these down and then realized what I really needed to do was just bookmark the post - So I did!
Now to go open another window, log into my Google Account, and get moving! Thanks again as always!
I always save your posts about this stuff. Its note enough to read it just once! Thanks!
Hi Brad:
Thanks for the great information! I like to follow blogs like this very closely! Its very useful as well as user friendly! All the best!
:)
Matt
Hi Brad:
Thanks for the great information! I like to follow blogs like this very closely! Its very useful as well as user friendly! All the best!
:)
Matt
Well,
What can Ib say that has not already been said. Thank you so much. I look forward to having a little time to start using some of the toold you suggested.
Your suggestion to start typing in keywords and see what pops up as suggested search term is a great one. It automatically shows you the most popular key word searches starting with your city for instance.
Thanks for the suggestion
Brad - Thanks for the great pointers. It will help tremendously when creating local hyper posts.
Howdy there Brad
I've been leting all my friends, here in the AR community. Know about these helpful posts you are doing to help us, to become better blogs. Amd I'm sure going to keep reading, so I can learn from you.
Wow! Great blog, thanks for taking the time.
Maybe I've been there long enough to be free... But there is a $100/year option as well. I don't think I am on the Plus plan, though... I'm certainly not on the Premium.
Hi...just making the rounds...learn stuff! Thanks.
Brad
As always very useful information. We are new to most of this and every day we are learning more and more.
Very much appreciated.
I have to check out GetClicky and all of these great Google tools, thanks, Brad:-)
If you haven't already, you should seriously think about compiling your blog posts into a book and marketing it. Your insights save me a ton of time and pulling out what little hair I hva left.
So much of this is staring me in the face everyday but remains hidden until you so graciously point it out. TY!
Thanks Brad, for the great and helpful tips
Always appreciated!!!!
Kathy B
Thanks Brad, great informative post. you put so very much work and effort into these posts that make them fun to read! I do love google, and Active Rain!
www.charlottelakewyliehomes.com
Brad, I'm just catching up on the rest of your SEO posts and this one looks to be an absolute treasure - but then all the others are, too. Thank you for the time you spent getting up to speed on this so that you could compress it and share it with us - and your book should be named "AR for Dummies!" lol
Sharon
This is a very insightful Blog. It will take me a few weeks or months to get the hang of this. But it will be worth it. Thanks for sharing Brad
Mark - thanks. Just remember one of my favorite sayings, "It's not a sprint to the win, it's a Marathon to the Victory!" :-))
Brad,
I've used Google adwords, now I have a whole new list of tools. THANKS!
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