Google's Adwords Keyword Tool: How to Use and Find Great Keywords

[#1]

Before even trying to use Google's Keyword Tool, take the time to brainstorm for ideas with friends, family and even post a thread in this forum asking for ideas for different ways to describe your work. It's not always a good idea to ask Etsy sellers since most tend to think like the artist or craftsperson and not a like a shopper.

Once you have a good list to work from, Go to https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal?forceLegacy=true
(there is more than one Google Adwords Keyword Tool and this is the one I have found to be the most accurate in showing counts)

Enter your list of keywords in the "Word or phrase" box, one keyword phrase per line, such as,
handmade jewelry
handmade gemstone jewelry
sterling silver jewelry

Do not enter anything in the Web site box (this creates a filter that keeps Google from displaying many potential keyword phrases)

Do not enter anything in the Category box.

On the left side, uncheck the Broad Match box, and check the Exact Match box.

Enter the characters shown that verify that you are not a spammer or an automated tool.

Click the Search button.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for all the great advice! I wish i would have read the second part of this first, as i was looking at the competition, and now realize i dont have to. Such a fine line to all this - one poorly chosen keyword can mean all or none it seems!

[DaliaShamirJewelry]

When I choose my keywords, should I use them mainly for my tags, or find ways to incorporate them in my description, or both?

[Former_Member]

Use keywords in the shop title and section names. Use the keywords in the shop title and section names in the shop welcome text. At this time, this is only for Google search, not for Etsy Relevancy search.

For listings, use keywords in listing titles, listing descriptions and listing tags. Etsy uses the keywords in the listing title and tags, Google uses the keywords in the listing title and description.

[DaliaShamirJewelry]

Thank you Mary!
Wow... so much to do, it's really overwhelming...

[Loutul]

Thanks Mary, I hope I'm on the right track with your advice. This is completely new to me. I'm a total novice when it comes to searches. I'm busy trying it out on one or two of my items. I'll monitor these and hopefully will see an improvement.

[Former_Member]

Popping this up....
So I just got my first review...updated title, tags and the description to try and avoid the duplicate filter.
Then I used Google Keyword search thingy to check out the phrases for my other items so i can start to update my shop.

HOLY CRAP! This really is a great tool to see where you are going wrong. I had mostly the right types of phrases but I was off on which ones would bring the most hits in. And can also see now why some of my items were getting the google hits and not others (managed to pick a top key word phrase for my bobby pins but not my barrettes).

Can't wait to update my listings (will take more time than I have) and see where things go!

Thanks ladies for all the great tips!!

[Former_Member]

Don't forget to drag yourself away for long enough to eat and sleep :)

[Former_Member]

ROFL- ignoring my kids for now ;)

Actually just updated my section headers... did my shop intro earlier. And I have more hits from google today than i normally get in a week... sad yes, but my shop is starting slowly.

[GraceEarrings]

to Dawn
~ mommy, what's for dinner ?
~ where IS mom ?
~ why is there nothing on the stove ( or oven ) ?

[Former_Member]

ROFL
So true.... actually just dealt pretty much with those phrases. :)

[Former_Member]

Thank you for this. Even a technologically challenged person such as myself was able to follow your instructions. Looks like I will need a lot of time for this, but what a great idea to save in excel. Thanks again.

[CherylParrottJewelry]

I can't find the download button on Google Adwords to download my list.
Is that little sucker hiding someplace. I've been looking and looking.
HELP!!! Thanks!

[CherylParrottJewelry]

Just figured it out. I was logged into Google Adwords. There's no download button when you log in. Once I researched without logging in I found the handy dandy little button.

[hellogeminirising]

Hi Mary,

I recently purchased your SEO Guide and am working on optimizing my listing titles. I am having a bit of an issue understanding the Google Keyword Planner. In your guide it talks about "Google Keyword Tool" which I understand to be the older version of the Keyword Planner. When I click the link in the SEO Guide it does take me to the Planner, not the tool, which has some differences (this would be helpful in the search).

I am trying to follow along the steps but it appears some of the options you mention (ex. cannot change from broad to exact) aren't available for the Keyword Planner. Do you have an updated guide for using the Keyword Planner? Or any advise on using the Keyword Planner?

Here is what I am seeing: http://imgur.com/8fD5eBm

Thank you,
Marriki

[Former_Member]

Hi Marriki,

I don't know why Google is taking you to the Keyword Planner Tool instead of the Keyword Research Tool. I still see the Keyword Research Tool when I either click on this link or copy and paste this link: adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal?forceLegacy=true

Maybe Google has already made this changeover for Canada?

Or

Did you click on the link at the end of this line near the top of the page?:
In the coming months, the external Keyword Tool will no longer be available. To get keyword ideas, sign in to your AdWords account and try Keyword Planner.

Or did you log into your gmail account before using the link to the Keyword Research Tool? If you did, log out of your gmail account and try the link again.

Google always had a Keyword Tool available to their PPC Advertisers. The keyword tool always had an option to see Broad, Phrase or Exact keywords. There has to be a way to make this selection.

This always worked in the past and should work now. Use no punctuation for Broad Match search counts, use quotes for Phrase Match search count, and use brackets for Exact Match search count, like this example:

Vintage Home Decor
"Vintage Home Decor"
[Vintage Home Decor]

You should see the highest search count for Broad Match, followed by Phase Match and finally the Exact Match will show the lowest number of monthly searches.

[hellogeminirising]

Hi Mary,

I was logged in to Google Adwords before, odd. The link is working now to Keyword Tool. Thank you!

Is the team still doing SEO Relevancy Reviews? I want to make sure I'm on the right track with titles before I go ahead and barrel through my 800 listings. :S

Best,
Marriki

[Former_Member]

Marriki,

We do SEO Reviews on this team. Here is our SEO Review Process: https://www.etsy.com/teams/11352/relevancy-and-seo-for-all-etsy-shops/discuss/12791704

[TouchOfSilver]

Mary, I have followed the link you left in August when Google changed over to keyword planner....and I am having a difficult time. Loved the old tool but have found nothing like it to this point. The link takes me to the 'planner' and not a research tool. I googled keyword research tool and it seems as though any related search brings you to the page that says Keyword Planner has replaced Keyword tool.

Read all their directions in keyword planner and I could put in keywords in one place but the results were always associated with $ and ads. Is the 'look' of the new keyword research tool very different from the old...where they would give you 100 new ideas under your original keywords. I would love to be able to click an icon on my toolbar (as before) when I wanted a quick help with my tags. Loved the old one and would love to love the new one....!! Thx, Barbara

[Former_Member]

Barbara,

Google's Keyword Planner tool is not as good as the old Keyword Research tool. It is possible to learn to use it well but you might find these keyword tools easier to navigate:

www.jaaxy.com
www.keyworddiscovery.com
www.wordtracker.com

Each of the above tools is available free either in a smaller version or a free trial.

Google's Keyword Planner, though, is the best of all of these and worth the time and effort to learn how to use it. https://support.google.com/adwords/answer/2999770?hl=en

[TouchOfSilver]

Thanks so much, Mary....I'll check into them and try to spend some time learning the keyword planner:)

[MiscouTreasures]

The adwords link is forcing me to set up paid advertising. Can I use the keyword tool without having to pay for advertising?

[Former_Member]

Francis, You can use Keyword Planner if you set up a Google Ad and Pause it right away. I have a lot of paused ads. Google never bills for ads we do not run.

[Former_Member]

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