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How to Do Keyword Research Using Google Keyword Planner?

Keyword research is the foundation of any successful SEO strategy. By using Google Keyword Planner, you can discover high-traffic, low-competition keywords that will help your website rank higher on search engines.

In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you exactly how to use Google Keyword Planner for effective keyword research—complete with images for better understanding.

Step 1: Sign in to Google Ads

To access Google Keyword Planner, you need a Google Ads account. If you don’t have one, you can create it for free.

Google Ads Dashboard

How to do it:

  1. Go to Google Ads.
  2. Click “Start Now” and sign in with your Google account.
  3. Once logged in, click on the “Tools & Settings” icon (wrench symbol) in the top-right corner.
  4. Under “Planning,” select “Keyword Planner.”

Step 2: Choose “Discover New Keywords”

Google Keyword Planner offers two main options:

  • Discover new keywords (for fresh keyword ideas)
  • Get search volume and forecasts (for existing keywords)

Since we’re doing keyword research, select “Discover new keywords.”

How to do it:

  1. Click “Discover new keywords.”
  2. Enter a seed keyword related to your niche (e.g., “best running shoes”).
  3. (Optional) Add your website URL to get more relevant suggestions.
  4. Click “Get results.”
Google Keyword Planner interface with 'Discover new keywords' option selected for SEO research

Step 3: Analyze Keyword Ideas & Metrics

After entering your seed keyword, Google Keyword Planner will generate a list of keyword ideas along with important metrics:

  • Avg. monthly searches (search volume)
  • Competition (how tough it is to rank)
  • Top of page bid (estimated cost for ads)

How to do it:

  1. Look for keywords with high search volume and low competition.
  2. Use filters to refine results (e.g., exclude irrelevant keywords).
  3. Click “Download keyword ideas” to save the list.

Step 4: Filter & Refine Your Keyword List

Not all keywords will be useful. You need to filter them based on:

  • Relevance (Does it match your content?)
  • Search intent (Informational, commercial, navigational)
  • Long-tail keywords (Lower competition, better targeting)

How to do it:

  1. Click “Filter” and select:
    1. Keyword text (e.g., exclude branded terms)
    1. Avg. monthly searches (e.g., 500–10,000)
    1. Competition level (Low/Medium)
  2. Sort by highest search volume first.
Filtering keywords in Google Keyword Planner by search volume and competition for SEO optimization

Step 5: Export & Organize Keywords for SEO

Once you’ve shortlisted the best keywords, export them for further analysis.

How to do it:

  1. Click “Download keyword ideas” (CSV or Google Sheets).
  2. Organize keywords into content clusters (e.g., blog topics, product pages).
  3. Prioritize keywords based on SEO difficulty and business value.
An image of an exported CSV file with SEO keywords sorted by search volume and competition

Final Thoughts

Google Keyword Planner is a powerful (and free) tool for keyword research. By following these steps, you can find high-potential keywords that drive organic traffic to your website.

Pro Tip: Combine Keyword Planner with other tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest for deeper insights.

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Would you like me to add more details on long-tail keyword strategies or competitor analysis? Let me know in the comments!