Using Google Keyword Planner

Researching keywords for local SEO using Google Keyword Planner involves the following steps:

1. Access Google Keyword Planner:
   • Sign in to your Google Ads account.
   • Navigate to the “Tools & Settings” menu and select “Keyword Planner.”
2. Start with Your Business and Location:
   • In the Keyword Planner, select “Discover new keywords.”
   • Enter your business or product/service and specify your location (city, region, or target area).
3. Review Keyword Suggestions:
   • The tool will generate a list of keyword suggestions related to your business and location.
   • Review the suggestions and select those that are relevant to your local audience.
4. Filter by Location and Language:
   • Use the filters to refine your results by location and language.
   • This ensures that you are targeting keywords specific to your local area.
5. Analyze Keyword Trends:
   • Check the trend data for each keyword to understand its popularity over time.
   • Identify keywords with consistent or growing trends.
6. Assess Competition and Bid Estimates:
   • Review the competition level and bid estimates for the selected keywords.
   • Focus on keywords with moderate to low competition for better chances of ranking.
7. Expand Your Keyword List:
   • Click on specific keywords to see more suggestions.
   • Expand your list by adding relevant keywords that align with your business goals.
8. Group Keywords by Themes:
   • Organize your keywords into thematic groups.
   • This helps in creating targeted content and ad groups for specific topics.
9. Consider Long-Tail Keywords:
   • Include long-tail keywords (phrases with more words) that are specific to your products or services.
   • Long-tail keywords often have less competition and can attract highly targeted traffic.
10. Check Historical Metrics:
    • Use the historical metrics feature to see how keywords have performed in terms of clicks, impressions, and average CPC (Cost Per Click).
11. Refine Your Selection:
    • Refine your keyword selection based on relevance, search volume, and competition.
    • Prioritize keywords that are likely to bring in local customers.
12. Export and Save:
    • Export your final keyword list to use in your local SEO strategy.
    • Save the list for future reference and updates.

Remember to regularly revisit your keyword strategy, especially if there are changes in your business offerings or local market dynamics. Google Keyword Planner is a valuable tool, but combining its insights with other local SEO strategies, such as local citations and on-page optimization, will contribute to a comprehensive approach for improving your local search rankings.