How to Use Keyword Planner for Keyword Research

Here’s a simple, step‑by‑step guide showing how to use Google Keyword Planner for keyword research, even if you’re purely doing SEO and not running ads.

Step 1: Create a Google Ads account

• Go to ads.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
• If you don’t have an account, follow the on‑screen prompts to create one (you can stay in “Expert Mode”).
• You do not need to run live ads; you just need the account to open Keyword Planner.

This account is the only requirement to use Keyword Planner for free keyword data.

Step 2: Open Keyword Planner

• In the Google Ads interface, look for the Tools & Settings menu (wrench icon) on the left.
• Under Planning, click Keyword Planner.
• When it opens, choose Discover new keywords (for finding ideas) or Get search volume and forecasts (for checking volume on keywords you already have).

You will use Discover new keywords most of the time for SEO research.

Step 3: Enter seed keywords or a website

• In Discover new keywords, pick one of these options:
  • Keywords: type in 1–5 core seed phrases (e.g., “home security camera”, “romantic cruise”, “WordPress SEO plugin”).
  • Website: enter your own site or a competitor’s URL to let Google read the page or domain and suggest related terms.
• Set your Location (country) and Language so the data matches your target audience.
• Click Get results (or Get Ideas depending on UI wording).

Step 4: Review keyword ideas and metrics

• On the results page, you’ll see a list of keyword ideas with:
  • Avg. monthly searches (volume range, not exact).
  • Competition (for Google Ads, not SEO).
  • Top‑of‑page bid (CPC).
• Look at the Keyword text column and identify:
  • Broad main‑term keywords (e.g., “security camera”).
  • Long‑tail phrases that include your seed term (e.g., “wireless outdoor security camera for apartment” or “best cruise for couples”).

Step 5: Filter and refine your list

• Click Add filter to narrow results:
  • Use Keyword filter to exclude terms you don’t want (e.g., “Amazon”, “Best Buy”, or unrelated product types).
  • Use Avg. monthly searches or Competition if you want only medium‑volume or low‑competition‑sounding terms.
• You can also sort by Avg. monthly searches to see high‑volume keywords first or low‑volume ones for long‑tail opportunities.

Save or export your preferred keywords (copy them into a spreadsheet or a tool like Google Sheets).

Step 6: Use “Get search volume and forecasts” on your shortlist

• Switch to Get search volume and forecasts.
• Paste your shortlisted keywords into the box (you can paste multiple keywords, separated by commas or new lines).
• Click Get results to see:
  • More precise monthly‑search ranges.
  • Historical trend graphs (if visible).

This step helps you reject low‑volume keywords and double‑down on those with consistent or growing demand.

Step 7: Choose primary and secondary keywords

From your list, pick:

• 1 primary keyword per topic (medium–high volume, clear intent).
• 3–7 secondary keywords (long‑tails, questions, and variants) to support it.

Example cluster for a blog post titled “Best Wireless Security Cameras for Small Apartments”:

• Primary: “wireless security camera for small apartment”
• Secondaries: “affordable wireless security camera”, “easy‑install security camera renters”, “outdoor camera for apartment balcony”

Step 8: Turn keywords into content and on‑page SEO

• Build a small content plan:
  • H1, URL, and SEO title based on the primary keyword.
  • H2/H3 sections that use secondary keywords naturally.
• Add keywords to:
  • Meta description.
  • Image alt text.
  • Internal links using keyword‑rich anchor text.

If you’re working in WordPress, plug these keywords into your SEO plugin (Rank Math, Yoast, etc.) and then track how they rank over time in Google Search Console.