Search Volume

What is Search Volume?

Search volume refers to the average number of times users search for a particular query in a search engine each month. This metric helps gauge the popularity of a search term and can be used to estimate potential traffic.

For example, if a keyword has a search volume of 1,000, it means that, on average, that keyword is searched 1,000 times each month.

Why is Search Volume Important for SEO?

Search volume is crucial for SEO and PPC because it:

1. Guides Keyword Research: Helps in selecting keywords that have significant potential for attracting traffic.
2. Estimates Traffic Potential: Provides an idea of how many clicks you might receive if you rank well for a keyword.
3. Informs Content Strategy: Aids in creating content around popular search terms to align with user interests.

How Search Volume is Used

1. Keyword Research

• Initial Selection: Start with keywords that have a high search volume to ensure you’re targeting terms with substantial interest.
• Refinement: Analyze the competition and relevance to your business. Use additional metrics like Keyword Difficulty (KD) to refine your choices.

2. Traffic Estimation

• Basic Estimate: Use search volume to gauge the potential traffic a keyword can bring.
• Advanced Metrics: Consider tools like Ahrefs’ Traffic Potential, which aggregates traffic from all keywords a page ranks for, giving a more comprehensive view.

How to Check and Track Search Volume

1. Using Keyword Research Tools

• Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer: Provides search volume data and additional metrics such as Traffic Potential and Keyword Difficulty.
• Google Keyword Planner: Offers search volume data but often groups related keywords into buckets.

Steps to Use Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer:

1. Enter your target keyword.
2. View the search volume on the results page.
3. Explore related metrics like Keyword Difficulty and Traffic Potential.

2. Google Keyword Planner

• Access: Available through Google Ads.
• Steps:

1. Go to Google Keyword Planner.
2. Enter your keywords or phrases.
3. Check the average monthly searches for each keyword.

Note: Google Keyword Planner may group variations of similar terms, affecting the granularity of search volume data.

Best Practices for Using Search Volume

1. Don’t Rely Solely on Search Volume

• Traffic Potential: Use Ahrefs’ Traffic Potential metric for a more accurate estimation of potential traffic.
• Consider Click-Through Rates (CTR): Not all searches result in clicks; some may result in zero-click searches or clicks on paid ads.

2. Avoid Chasing High Search Volume Keywords Blindly

• Keyword Difficulty: Higher search volume often means higher competition. Evaluate the Keyword Difficulty (KD) to assess how feasible it is to rank.
• Long-Tail Keywords: Targeting keywords with lower search volumes but high relevance can be more effective, especially for new sites.

3. Check Trends

• Seasonality: Search volume can be seasonal. For example, “pumpkin spice” may see high search volume during specific months.
• Trend Tools: Use Google Trends or similar tools to track changes in search volume over time.

Example: A keyword like “fidget spinners” may have had high search volume in the past but is now outdated.

FAQs

How to See Keyword Search Volume

• Tools: Use keyword research tools like Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer for detailed search volume data. Google Keyword Planner also provides this information, though it can be less precise.

Why Are Search Volumes Different Across SEO Tools?

• Data Sources: Different tools may use various data sources and methods to estimate search volume. Ahrefs combines data from multiple sources for refinement, which can lead to discrepancies compared to other tools.

What is a Good Keyword Search Volume?

• Context-Dependent: A “good” search volume depends on your business goals. Keywords with lower search volumes may be more valuable if they are highly relevant to your niche. For highly competitive industries, targeting high search volume keywords may be necessary but challenging.

In summary, while search volume is an important metric, it should be used in conjunction with other factors like competition, search intent, and trends to make informed decisions about your SEO strategy.