Keyword Search Volume Checker
Check search volume, CPC, and competition for any keyword. Get monthly trends and data powered by Google Ads.
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Enter up to 10 keywords (one per line or comma-separated)
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Understanding Keyword Search Volume
Keyword search volume is the average number of times a specific keyword is searched for in a given period, typically measured monthly. This metric is fundamental to SEO and PPC campaigns as it helps determine the potential traffic a keyword can bring to your website.
Search volume data comes from Google Ads (formerly Google Keyword Planner) and represents aggregated search behavior across millions of users. When you see a keyword with 10,000 monthly searches, it means that query is typed into Google approximately 10,000 times per month in your target location.
Why Search Volume Matters for SEO
Traffic Potential Estimation
High search volume keywords can drive significant traffic, but they're often more competitive. Balance volume with your ability to rank. A keyword with 10K searches where you can rank #1 (32% CTR) brings ~3,200 visits/month. A 50K keyword where you rank #10 (2% CTR) brings only ~1,000 visits.
Commercial Value Indicator
CPC (Cost Per Click) indicates the commercial value advertisers place on a keyword. Higher CPC often means higher buyer intent. Keywords like "buy running shoes" ($2.50 CPC) signal purchase intent, while "how to tie running shoes" ($0.15 CPC) is informational.
Content Strategy Planning
Use search volume data to prioritize which content to create first and identify topics your audience is actively searching for. Higher volume topics deserve more comprehensive content, while low-volume keywords can be combined into single articles.
How to Interpret the Data
Search Volume Ranges
- 0-100: Very low, niche keywords
- 100-1K: Low volume, targeted traffic
- 1K-10K: Medium volume, good opportunity
- 10K-100K: High volume, competitive
- 100K+: Very high volume, extremely competitive
Competition Levels
- Low (0-0.33): Easier to rank, fewer advertisers
- Medium (0.33-0.66): Moderate competition
- High (0.66-1.0): Very competitive, harder to rank
CPC Interpretation
- $0-$1: Low commercial intent
- $1-$5: Moderate commercial value
- $5-$20: High commercial value
- $20+: Very high value (finance, legal, insurance)
Trend Analysis
- Upward: Growing interest, act early
- Stable: Consistent demand, evergreen topic
- Downward: Declining interest, reconsider
- Seasonal: Plan content around peak months
Best Practices for Using Search Volume Data
Start with a Keyword Portfolio Approach
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Create a mix of high-volume (20%), medium-volume (50%), and low-volume long-tail keywords (30%). This diversifies your traffic sources and reduces risk.
Consider Search Intent, Not Just Volume
A keyword with 1,000 searches and commercial intent may be worth more than 10,000 informational searches. Match keywords to your business goals: "buy" and "price" keywords convert, "how to" keywords build awareness.
Use Seasonal Trends for Content Planning
Check the monthly breakdown for seasonal patterns. Create content 2-3 months before peak season to give it time to rank. "Christmas gifts" content should be published by September.
Calculate Realistic Traffic Potential
Use this formula: Search Volume × Expected CTR for your ranking position = Estimated traffic. Position 1 gets ~32% CTR, position 5 gets ~5%, position 10 gets ~2%. Be realistic about where you can rank.
Group Related Keywords Together
One comprehensive article can rank for hundreds of related keywords. Group keywords with similar intent together instead of creating separate pages for each variation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Chasing Only High-Volume Keywords
New sites often target 50K+ volume keywords they have no chance of ranking for. Start with keywords you can realistically rank for, then build up. A site with DR 20 should focus on keywords with difficulty under 30.
Ignoring Zero-Volume Keywords
Keywords showing zero volume may still get searches—Google just rounds small numbers. Long-tail keywords with zero volume often have low competition and high conversion rates. Don't dismiss them entirely.
Using Global Instead of Local Volume
A keyword with 100K global searches might only have 1K searches in your target country. Always check volume for your specific target location, especially for local businesses.
Creating Separate Pages for Every Keyword Variation
"best running shoes," "top running shoes," and "running shoes reviews" don't need separate pages. Google understands synonyms. One comprehensive page targeting related keywords performs better than multiple thin pages.
Not Considering SERP Features
A keyword with 10K volume but dominated by Featured Snippets, Shopping ads, and AI Overviews may only send 2K clicks to organic results. Check what the SERP looks like before committing to a keyword.
Practical Examples: Search Volume Analysis
Example 1: E-commerce Product Keywords
Takeaway: The broad term has high volume but is too competitive. The specific terms have better intent and are more achievable targets.
Example 2: SaaS Content Marketing
Takeaway: High CPC indicates commercial intent. The template keyword is perfect for a lead magnet to capture emails.
Example 3: Local Service Business
Takeaway: For local businesses, lower volume geo-specific keywords are gold. High CPC = desperate customers willing to pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is the search volume data?▼
Our data comes directly from Google Ads (formerly Google Keyword Planner), making it highly reliable for understanding relative keyword demand. Keep in mind that Google rounds search volumes and shows monthly averages, so treat these as estimates rather than exact figures. The data is best used for comparing keywords against each other rather than as absolute traffic predictions.
Why do some keywords show zero volume?▼
Keywords with very low search volume (typically under 10 searches per month) often show as zero in Google's data. This doesn't mean no one searches for them—it means the volume is too low to measure accurately. These can still be valuable long-tail keywords. Google Search Console data for existing pages often reveals traffic from keywords showing zero volume in keyword tools.
Should I only target high-volume keywords?▼
Not necessarily. A balanced approach often works best. High-volume keywords bring more traffic but are harder to rank for. Low-volume, long-tail keywords are easier to rank for and often have higher conversion rates. The best strategy is a pyramid: start with specific, lower-volume keywords you can rank for, then build up to higher-volume terms as your authority grows.
What's the relationship between CPC and SEO difficulty?▼
While CPC reflects paid advertising competition, it's often correlated with organic SEO difficulty. Keywords with high commercial value (high CPC) tend to attract more SEO competition too. However, they're not the same metric—CPC is based on advertiser bids while SEO difficulty is based on backlink profiles of ranking pages. Some high-CPC keywords have low SEO difficulty, which are golden opportunities.
How often is the search volume data updated?▼
Search volume data is refreshed monthly and represents a rolling 12-month average. For trending or seasonal keywords, the monthly breakdown chart gives you a better picture of how search interest changes throughout the year. For rapidly trending topics, Google Trends provides more real-time data.
How do I calculate potential traffic from search volume?▼
Use this formula: Search Volume × CTR for your expected position = Monthly traffic. Average CTRs by position: #1 = 31.7%, #2 = 24.7%, #3 = 18.6%, #4 = 13.6%, #5 = 9.5%, #6-10 = 2-5%. So a 10,000 search volume keyword where you expect to rank #3 would bring approximately 1,860 visits per month. Remember that Featured Snippets, ads, and SERP features reduce organic CTR.
Why does search volume differ between keyword tools?▼
Different tools use different data sources and methodologies. Some use Google Ads data (most accurate), others use clickstream data, and some use modeling. The key is to use one tool consistently for relative comparisons. Our tool uses Google Ads data directly, which is considered the gold standard as it comes straight from Google.
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