Google Trends and Keyword Research

How to Use Google Trends for Effective Keyword Research

Now more than ever, keeping up with shifting search trends is critical for success in SEO (Search Engine Optimization). If you’re managing a business or providing digital marketing services, you likely understand the importance of researching keywords. However, identifying relevant and trending keywords can be challenging without the right tools. One tool that stands out for keyword research is Google Trends.

Are you looking for a digital marketing company offering comprehensive SEO services? Now Media Group is here to help you dominate the search results and boost your online visibility. To schedule a free strategy session, contact our team today at (858) 333-8950.

What Is Google Trends?

Google Trends is a free tool that shows the popularity of search queries in Google over time. It gives valuable insights into trending topics, geographical popularity, and the seasonality of search queries. Unlike traditional keyword research tools that offer search volume, Google Trends shows relative popularity—meaning how interest in a topic has changed over time and its geographical distribution.

Why Google Trends Is Useful for Keyword Research

Keyword research is at the heart of a successful SEO strategy. Traditionally, keyword tools give an estimated search volume, competition, and difficulty score, which is essential for long-term content planning. However, Google Trends offers real-time insights and seasonal patterns that help digital marketers:

• Identify trending topics quickly
• Fine-tune their content strategy
• Create localized SEO strategies
• Anticipate changes in search behavior
• Stay ahead of the competition

How to Use Google Trends for Effective Keyword Research

Analyze Trending Keywords in Your Industry

The first step in using Google Trends is identifying relevant industry trends. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Go to Google Trends.
2. Enter your primary keyword or industry-related term into the search bar.
3. Review the results, which will show a graph representing the interest in the term over time.

This graph helps you understand whether a keyword is growing or declining in popularity. If you’re looking for topics that are rapidly gaining traction, you can enter general terms like “digital marketing” or “e-commerce” to spot broader trends.

Tip: Focus on keywords that show steady growth rather than short-term spikes unless you’re planning content around a trending event.

Identify Seasonal Trends for Better Planning

Some search queries are highly seasonal, peaking during specific months of the year. For example, searches for “Christmas gifts” increased dramatically in December. Google Trends allows you to identify such seasonal fluctuations, helping you plan content and optimize your SEO strategy for high-traffic periods.

Here’s how to use Google Trends to identify seasonal trends:

1. Enter your keyword (e.g., “wedding dresses” or “tax filing”).
2. Choose the “Past 5 years” option from the time range filter to analyze long-term patterns.
3. Analyze the graph to spot periods of peak interest.

Tip: Prepare your content at least 2 to 3 months before the expected seasonal spike. For example, if you notice that searches for “summer vacations” spike in June, start publishing relevant content in March or April.

Explore Related Queries for Keyword Ideas

Once you enter a search query in Google Trends, scroll down to find a section called “Related queries.” This feature offers valuable insights into other search terms that users interested in your keyword are also searching for.

Here’s how to make the most of this feature:

1. Enter your main keyword into Google Trends.
2. Scroll down to the “Related queries” section.
3. Use these queries to find long-tail keywords or related topics for your content.

For example, if your primary keyword is “email marketing,” related queries might include “best email marketing software” or “email marketing for small businesses.” You can use these related terms to expand your content and target a broader range of keywords.

Tip: Use related queries to build a cluster of content around a central topic, which improves the relevance of your website and boosts your ranking on SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages).

Use Google Trends to Compare Keywords

If you’re unsure which keyword to target, Google Trends offers a comparison feature that allows you to analyze the popularity of multiple keywords side by side. This helps you choose the best keyword for your content or campaign.

Steps to compare keywords include:

1. Open Google Trends and enter your first keyword.
2. Click on the “Compare” button and add up to four more keywords.
3. Analyze the comparative graph to see which keyword has the highest search interest over time.

For instance, if you’re trying to decide between “content marketing” and “inbound marketing,” the comparative graph will show which term has a stronger search volume, allowing you to optimize your content accordingly.

Tip: Look for terms that not only have a higher search volume but also show upward growth. Keywords with growing interest may be worth investing in for long-term SEO success.

Geotarget Your Keyword Strategy

Google Trends also offers a geographical breakdown, showing where a particular keyword is most popular. This is incredibly useful for businesses with a local or regional focus, as you can create content tailored to specific locations.

To do this:

1. Enter your keyword into Google Trends.
2. Scroll down to the “Interest by region” section.
3. Analyze the map or the list of regions to see where your keyword is most searched.

For example, if you offer SEO services, you might find that interest in “SEO strategies” is higher in cities like New York and San Francisco than in other regions. This information helps you create localized content or fine-tune your paid ad campaigns for better targeting.

Tip: Combine your findings from Google Trends with local SEO efforts by incorporating city or region names into your keywords (e.g., “SEO services in San Francisco”).

Track Trends Over Time to Adjust Your SEO Strategy

Google Trends allows you to track the interest in a keyword over specific timeframes, from the past hour to the past 10 years. This data can help you predict future trends and adjust your SEO strategy accordingly.

Steps to track trends over time:

1. Enter a keyword into Google Trends.
2. Select a custom time range (e.g., “Past 12 months” or “Past 5 years”).
3. Analyze the data to see if interest is rising or falling.

For example, if interest in a keyword like “social media marketing” has been consistently rising over the past five years, you can assume it will continue to be relevant and worth focusing on in your SEO efforts.

Use Google Trends for Content Ideation

Aside from keyword research, Google Trends can be a fantastic source of content ideas. By identifying what’s trending in your industry or niche, you can create timely content that resonates with your audience.

Steps to use Google Trends for content ideation:

1. Visit Google Trends and explore the Trending Searches section.
2. Look for trending topics that align with your business.
3. Create blog posts, videos, or social media content around these trends.

For example, if a trending search query is “AI in marketing,” you can write a blog post on “How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionizing Digital Marketing.” This type of content aligns with current search trends and is more likely to attract visitors.

Monitor Competitor Keywords

Google Trends can also help you monitor competitors by analyzing keywords associated with their brands or products. This way, you can identify what they’re targeting and how your SEO strategy compares.

Steps to monitor competitor keywords:

1. Enter a competitor’s brand name or key product into Google Trends.
2. Analyze search interest over time and by region.
3. Use the comparison tool to see how your brand’s keywords stack up against theirs.

Need Help with SEO?

At Now Media Group, we specialize in helping businesses improve their SEO efforts through data-driven strategies. From keyword research to content creation, our experts are here to help you rank higher and attract more traffic. Contact us today at (858) 333-8950 to learn more about how we can boost your digital marketing performance!