What is Keyword Search Volume? How to Use It for Better SEO Results
How Keyword Search Volume Builds Your Online Visibility
Keyword search volume is an important part of digital marketing. It shows how often people search for certain words or phrases online. This matters for any business that uses SEO to get found online.
You might be a business owner, a mortgage lender or work as an expert witness. No matter what you do, keyword data can help guide your content and make it easier for people to find you online.
This guide explains what keyword search volume is, why it matters, how to measure it, and how to use it the right way.
What is Keyword Search Volume?
Keyword search volume shows how often people search for a word or phrase in a search engine. It’s usually measured by month. For example, the keyword “embroidery near me” gets searched about 100K – 1M times each month according to Google Keyword Planner.
Why Keyword Search Volume Matters
Search engines are often the main way people find websites. Volume data shows which words people actually type into search boxes. It helps you create content your audience already wants. Without this data, you’re just guessing what matters to potential customers. It gives you real numbers to make better decisions about your content.
How is Keyword Volume Calculated?
Search volume data comes from search engines like Google. Different tools track searches and look at past data to estimate monthly search numbers. These numbers are usually rounded—90 searches might show up as “100” depending on the tool. Keep in mind, these are estimates based on the past, not live counts.
Tools to Measure Search Volume
Several tools help you find keyword search volume. Each one works differently and has different prices:
Google Keyword Planner: Free with a Google Ads account. Shows volume ranges and how hard it is to compete.
SEMrush and Ahrefs: Paid tools that give you detailed information like keyword difficulty, click potential, and search trends.
Moz Keyword Explorer: Shows search result analysis and priority scores.
Free tools like SearchVolume.io offer quick checks but don’t have as many features. Pick tools based on your budget and how much detail you need.
Understanding Volume in Context
There’s no magic number for what makes a “good” search volume. It depends on your industry, your goals, and your competition. For most businesses, over 1,000 searches per month is strong. For expert witnesses or niche services, even 100 to 500 can be valuable if the keyword fits what you do.
Volume needs to be balanced with three other things: does it relate to your business, what does the searcher want, and how many competitors are there. A keyword like “web design” gets 10K – 100K searches per month, but thousands of websites compete for it. On the other hand, “web design services” gets 1K – 10K searches per month but may reach exactly the right people.
High-volume keywords can bring lots of traffic but are harder to rank for. They also tend to be more general. Low-volume keywords—often called long-tail keywords—show clearer purpose. For example, “electrical engineering expert witness” might only get 10 – 100 searches per month. But those searchers probably need that exact service right away. It’s better to rank on page one for a focused keyword than page five for a popular one. The best strategy uses both types.
Evergreen vs. Seasonal Keywords
Not all keywords work the same all year. Evergreen keywords stay stable over time. Seasonal keywords jump up and down during certain times.
For example, “youth soccer coaching program” gets searched all year, making it evergreen. But “summer baseball camp registration” peaks before summer and drops in winter, making it seasonal.
Tools like Google Trends let you see if a keyword is going up, staying the same, or going down. Understanding these patterns helps you plan regular content and timely campaigns. Searches for “custom 3D prints” may jump during holidays, while “3D printing for school projects” peaks during the school year.
Click Potential Isn’t Always Equal
High search volume doesn’t always mean clicks. Some keywords show quick answers right on the search page. These are called featured snippets or knowledge panels. When Google answers the question immediately, people don’t need to click any website.
For example, “Eiffel Tower height” may be searched thousands of times. But if Google shows the answer right away, most users won’t visit any site. That’s why tools like Ahrefs show click-through rates next to volume. This helps you find keywords that actually bring people to your site instead of just answering their question on the search results page.
Keyword Volume Across Platforms
Google isn’t the only place people search. They also search on YouTube, Amazon, TikTok, and in some industries, legal databases. Keywords can work very differently on each platform.
A keyword that doesn’t work well on Google might be trending on TikTok or popular on Amazon. Tools like KeywordTool.io let you check different platforms. If your audience likes a certain platform focus your research there instead of only looking at Google.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Going after high volume without thinking about competition or fit rarely works. The keyword “painting services” is too broad—it could mean home painting, business painting, or even art painting. But “residential painting company in Colorado” is clear and reaches businesses looking for exactly what you offer.
Ignoring what the searcher wants is another mistake. Someone searching “painting services” might just be looking around. Someone searching “residential painting company in Colorado” is probably ready to hire. Finally, using old tools or ignoring trends can hurt your whole strategy. Always double-check your sources and watch how volume changes over time.
Make Volume Work for Strategy, Not Vanity
Keyword search volume is helpful, but only when you use it the smart way. Volume by itself doesn’t bring results—fit, purpose, and competition do. Focus on what people search for, create content that matches what they need, and set real goals based on your industry.
Whether you run a mortgage company, operate an online store, or work as a forensic expert, focus on reaching the right people, not just the most people. Use data to make choices, not chase trends.
Get More Leads Be Our Next Podcast GuestFrequently Asked Questions About Keyword Search Volume
How is Keyword Search Volume Measured?
Keyword search volume is measured by looking at past search data from search engines. Tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, and Ahrefs collect this data to estimate average monthly searches. The numbers are rounded estimates, not exact real-time counts. Different tools may show slightly different volumes for the same keyword because they use different data sources.
What is a Good Search Volume?
A “good” search volume depends on your industry, competition, and business goals. Broad consumer markets might look for keywords with 1,000+ monthly searches. Specialized industries like forensic work or engineering consulting can do well with 50-500 searches if the keyword shows clear purpose. Focus on whether you can rank for the keyword and whether searchers are likely to become clients, not just the number.
Why is Search Volume Important for SEO?
Search volume helps you decide which keywords are worth your time. It shows real search demand instead of guesswork. This lets you create content people are actually looking for. When combined with competition and user purpose, search volume helps you make smart choices about content creation, SEO work, and which topics will bring real traffic to your site.
Should I Only Target High-Volume Keywords?
No. High-volume keywords are often very competitive and may not match what you offer. A good strategy includes both broader terms for visibility and specific long-tail keywords that convert better. Lower-volume keywords with clear purpose often bring better quality traffic. The 50 people searching for exactly what you offer are more valuable than 5,000 casual browsers.
How Often Does Search Volume Change?
Search volume changes based on trends, seasons, and cultural shifts. Some keywords like “summer baseball camp registration” jump up the same time each year. Others like “custom 3D prints” may surge during holidays. Use Google Trends to watch patterns over time and adjust your content calendar. Most SEO tools update their volume data monthly or quarterly.
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