Discovering Where to Find Keyword Planner in Google Ads

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is Google Keyword Planner?
3. How to Access Google Keyword Planner
4. Discovering New Keywords
5. Getting Search Volume and Forecasts
6. Creating a Keyword Plan
7. Maximizing the Use of Keyword Planner
8. Conclusion
9. FAQ

Introduction

Have you ever felt lost in the vast expanse of digital marketing tools available today? You’re not alone. Many marketers, whether seasoned professionals or newcomers, often find themselves navigating through different platforms, each boasting unique functionalities. Among these tools, Google Ads stands out for its robust capabilities in managing ad campaigns, but one feature consistently proves invaluable: the Keyword Planner. If you’ve ever wondered where is Keyword Planner in Google Ads, you’re in the right place.

The Keyword Planner is a free tool that plays a crucial role in helping businesses optimize their pay-per-click (PPC) advertising strategies. It allows us to discover new keyword ideas, analyze their performance, and ultimately choose the best keywords for our campaigns. With the right keywords, we can position our ads in front of potential customers exactly when they’re searching for what we offer. This is not just about finding any keywords; it’s about finding the right ones that resonate with our target audience.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the importance of Keyword Planner, where to find it within Google Ads, and how to effectively use it to enhance our marketing campaigns. We’ll explore the steps to access the tool, the features it offers, and practical tips on leveraging its capabilities to achieve better results in our advertising endeavors.

By the end of this post, we will have equipped you with the insights and knowledge necessary to navigate Keyword Planner with confidence. Get ready to transform your approach to keyword research and ad strategy!

What is Google Keyword Planner?

Google Keyword Planner is a free tool offered by Google Ads that assists advertisers in creating keyword lists for their search campaigns. It provides insights into how often particular search terms are entered into Google, as well as estimates of the cost to target those keywords.

Key Features of Keyword Planner

1. Keyword Ideas: The tool generates keyword suggestions based on terms relevant to your business, helping us expand our reach.
2. Search Volume Data: We can view historical and forecasted search volume data for specific keywords, giving us insights into trends and potential traffic.
3. Bid Estimates: Keyword Planner provides suggested bid estimates for each keyword, allowing us to gauge the budget necessary for our campaigns.
4. Keyword Grouping: The tool organizes keywords into ad groups, making it easier for us to develop targeted ad campaigns.
5. Performance Forecasts: We can assess how our chosen keywords might perform, including expected clicks, impressions, and conversions.

By understanding these features, we can harness the full potential of Keyword Planner to refine our marketing strategies effectively.

How to Access Google Keyword Planner

Finding Keyword Planner in Google Ads is straightforward, but there are specific steps we need to follow. Here’s how to access it:

Step 1: Set Up a Google Ads Account

Before we can access Keyword Planner, we need a Google Ads account. If we don’t have one, we’ll need to create it first.

1. Visit the Google Ads homepage.
2. Click on “Start now” and sign in with our Google account.
3. Follow the prompts to set up our account. This will involve adding payment information, even if we don’t plan to run ads immediately.

Step 2: Create a Campaign

Once we have our Google Ads account set up, we need to create at least one campaign. This step is crucial as Keyword Planner is accessible after a campaign is created.

1. Click on “+ New Campaign” in the Google Ads dashboard.
2. Follow the instructions to select a campaign goal and type.
3. If we are unsure about our campaign objectives, it’s perfectly fine to choose an option that aligns with our marketing goals, whether that’s sales, leads, or website traffic.

Step 3: Switch to Expert Mode (if necessary)

If our Google Ads account is using Smart Mode, we will need to switch to Expert Mode to access all features, including Keyword Planner.

1. Click on the tools icon in the upper right corner of the dashboard.
2. Select “Switch to Expert Mode” from the menu.

Step 4: Locate Keyword Planner

Now that we are in Expert Mode, we can find Keyword Planner:

1. Click on the “Tools” icon in the upper right corner of the interface.
2. From the dropdown menu, select “Planning.”
3. Click on “Keyword Planner.”

From this point, we will see two main options: “Discover new keywords” and “Get search volume and forecasts.” Each option serves different purposes, which we will explore in more detail in the following sections.

Discovering New Keywords

The first step in using Keyword Planner is to discover new keywords that can enhance our campaigns. This feature allows us to explore new search terms related to our products or services.

How to Use the Discover New Keywords Option

1. Input Keywords: In the “Discover new keywords” section, we can enter keywords or phrases that are relevant to our business. For example, if we run a bakery, we might enter “fresh bread” or “cake delivery.”
2. Get Results: After entering our keywords, we click on “Get Results.” The tool will generate a list of related keywords, including metrics such as average monthly searches, competition level, and suggested bids.
3. Analyze and Select Keywords: We can review the list of generated keywords, examining their search volumes and competition levels. This analysis helps us identify which keywords are worth targeting based on our marketing budget and goals.

Example of Keyword Analysis

For instance, let’s say our bakery generates the following keyword ideas:

• “artisan bread” – 10,000 monthly searches, low competition
• “cake delivery” – 5,000 monthly searches, medium competition
• “gluten-free cookies” – 2,500 monthly searches, high competition

In this scenario, we might choose to focus on “artisan bread” due to its high search volume and low competition, making it a prime candidate for our campaigns.

Leveraging Keyword Grouping

Once we have identified relevant keywords, Keyword Planner organizes them into ad groups based on their themes. This grouping simplifies the process of creating targeted ad campaigns.

• Ad Group Example: If we choose “artisan bread” and “sourdough bread,” both can be placed in an ad group focused on “Bread Products,” allowing us to create tailored ads that resonate with users searching for these terms.

Getting Search Volume and Forecasts

In addition to discovering new keywords, Keyword Planner allows us to analyze existing keywords by obtaining their search volume and performance forecasts. This feature is particularly valuable for assessing the potential success of our selected keywords.

How to Use the Get Search Volume and Forecasts Option

1. Enter Keywords: In this section, we enter keywords we’re already considering, separated by commas.
2. Get Started: After entering our keywords, we click “Get Started.” The tool will display a forecast report based on the keywords provided.
3. Analyze the Data: The forecast report includes metrics such as expected clicks, impressions, cost per click, and total costs for the upcoming month. This data allows us to make informed decisions on which keywords to prioritize in our campaigns.

Example of Forecast Data

Consider we enter the keywords “artisan bread,” “cake delivery,” and “gluten-free cookies.” The forecast data might indicate:

• Artisan Bread: 1,000 clicks, 5,000 impressions, $0.50 CPC
• Cake Delivery: 800 clicks, 4,000 impressions, $0.75 CPC
• Gluten-Free Cookies: 500 clicks, 3,000 impressions, $1.00 CPC

With this information, we can see that “artisan bread” not only has the highest expected clicks but also the lowest cost per click, making it our best option for immediate campaign focus.

Creating a Keyword Plan

Once we’ve identified our keywords and analyzed their performance potential, we can create a keyword plan. This plan serves as the foundation for our ad campaigns.

Steps to Create a Keyword Plan

1. Add Keywords to Plan: From the Keyword Planner tool, select the keywords we want to include in our plan.
2. Save and Share: We can save our plan for future reference or share it with team members for collaboration.
3. Implement the Plan: When ready, we can implement our plan by creating it as a campaign in Google Ads. This process involves linking our keyword plan to the specific ads we want to run.

Benefits of Having a Keyword Plan

• Structured Approach: A well-organized keyword plan ensures that our ad campaigns are focused and targeted, improving their effectiveness.
• Budget Management: By understanding which keywords we are targeting and their associated costs, we can allocate our advertising budget more efficiently.
• Performance Tracking: As we run our campaigns, we can continually assess the performance of our keywords and make adjustments as needed.

Maximizing the Use of Keyword Planner

Now that we’ve covered the basics of accessing and using Keyword Planner, let’s explore some advanced tips to maximize its utility.

1. Regularly Update Your Keyword Research

The digital landscape is ever-changing, and so are consumer search behaviors. Regularly revisiting Keyword Planner to update our keyword lists ensures that we remain relevant and competitive.

2. Explore Competitor Keywords

Using the “Start with a Website” feature can provide insights into what keywords our competitors are targeting. By analyzing their strategies, we can uncover potential opportunities and gaps in our own keyword strategy.

3. Incorporate Negative Keywords

To improve our campaign efficiency, we should also consider the use of negative keywords. These are terms we want to exclude from our campaigns to avoid irrelevant traffic. Keyword Planner can help us identify potential negative keywords based on our research.

4. Focus on Long-Tail Keywords

While broader keywords may attract a lot of searches, they often come with higher competition. Long-tail keywords, which are more specific phrases, typically have lower competition and can attract more qualified leads. Keyword Planner can help us find these valuable long-tail opportunities.

5. Use Data for A/B Testing

Leveraging the data from Keyword Planner, we can conduct A/B tests on different keywords to determine which ones perform best. This testing helps us refine our strategies and optimize our ad spend.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding where is Keyword Planner in Google Ads is just the beginning of leveraging this powerful tool for our marketing campaigns. By effectively accessing and utilizing Keyword Planner, we can gain invaluable insights into keyword performance, discover new opportunities, and optimize our advertising strategies.

As we continue to explore the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, it’s imperative that we stay informed and adaptable. Google Keyword Planner not only helps us find the right keywords but also empowers us to make data-driven decisions that enhance our campaign performance.

We invite you to explore more of our content at Marketing Hub Daily to further enhance your digital marketing knowledge and skills. Together, let’s unlock the potential of our marketing strategies to achieve success.

FAQ

What is Google Keyword Planner used for?

Google Keyword Planner is used to find keywords for Google Ads campaigns, estimate their performance, and help in planning advertising budgets.

Do I need a Google Ads account to use Keyword Planner?

Yes, you need a Google Ads account to access Keyword Planner. However, you do not necessarily need to run ads immediately.

Can I use Keyword Planner for SEO?

Absolutely! While it’s primarily designed for PPC, the insights from Keyword Planner can also be valuable for SEO keyword research.

How often should I update my keywords in Keyword Planner?

Regular updates are recommended, ideally every few months, to ensure you’re adapting to changing search trends and consumer behaviors.

What are negative keywords, and why are they important?

Negative keywords are terms you want to exclude from your campaigns. They help improve targeting and reduce wasted ad spend by avoiding irrelevant traffic.

By understanding and utilizing these features of Google Keyword Planner, we can significantly enhance our digital marketing efforts and drive better results for our campaigns. Happy marketing!