Introduction
Whether you’re crafting a blog post, building a landing page, or launching a Google Ads campaign, it all starts with one thing: the right keywords.
That’s where Google Keyword Planner comes in.
It’s one of the most powerful free tools in digital marketing—and when used right, it can help you uncover search demand, prioritize content, and build profitable ad campaigns.
In this blog, we’ll show you how to use Keyword Planner effectively—step by step—plus pro tips to get ahead of your competitors.
🔍 What Is Google Keyword Planner?
Google Keyword Planner is a free tool offered inside Google Ads that helps you:
- Discover keyword ideas
- See average monthly search volume
- Understand keyword competition
- Get CPC (Cost-per-click) estimates
- Plan paid campaigns and content strategy
While it’s designed for advertisers, SEO professionals and content marketers can also benefit big-time.
🚀 Step 1: Accessing Keyword Planner
To use Keyword Planner, you’ll need a Google Ads account (don’t worry, you don’t have to run ads).
- Go to: ads.google.com
- Sign in or create an account
- Click “Tools & Settings” (the wrench icon)
- Under “Planning,” select “Keyword Planner”
You’ll see two options:
- Discover New Keywords
- Get Search Volume and Forecasts
Let’s dive into both.
🧠 Step 2: Discover New Keyword Ideas
This is where the magic starts.
✅ Use “Discover New Keywords” to:
- Find keyword opportunities related to your product or service
- Get new ideas based on your website or competitors’ sites
- Expand your content or campaign targeting
How to use it:
- Enter keywords (e.g., “running shoes”)
- Or enter a competitor’s website
- Choose your location and language
- Click “Get Results”
You’ll get a list of keyword suggestions along with:
- Avg. monthly searches
- Competition level (Low/Med/High)
- Top of page bid (low and high range)
📊 Step 3: Filter & Refine Your Results
This is where most marketers stop—but not you 😉
Use these filters to narrow your keyword list:
- Keyword text (Include/exclude certain words)
- Avg. monthly searches (Focus on volume sweet spots)
- Competition (Low for SEO, High for PPC)
- Top of page bid (High bids = high intent)
💡 Pro Tip: Sort by “Top of Page Bid (high range)” to find keywords with high commercial intent—perfect for PPC campaigns.
📌 Step 4: Analyze & Organize Your Keywords
Now, group your keywords by:
- Topic/theme (e.g., “men’s running shoes” vs “women’s trail shoes”)
- Search intent (Informational vs. Transactional)
- Funnel stage (Top, Mid, Bottom)
You can download your list as a CSV or add it to your “Keyword Plan” for further analysis.
📅 Step 5: Use Forecasting for PPC Planning
If you’re running paid ads, Keyword Planner also gives forecasts for clicks, impressions, and costs.
Use the “Get search volume and forecasts” tool:
- Enter your chosen keywords
- Set location, language, and budget
- Get estimated impressions, clicks, CTR, and CPC
This helps you:
- Predict campaign performance
- Set realistic budgets
- Compare keyword options
✍️ Bonus: Using Keyword Planner for SEO
Even if you’re not running ads, Keyword Planner can fuel your content strategy.
Here’s how:
- Identify high-volume, low-competition keywords for blog topics
- Build keyword clusters around your core terms
- Discover LSI (semantic) keywords for better on-page SEO
- Prioritize keywords with high intent and reasonable difficulty
Pair Keyword Planner with tools like:
- Google Search Console
- Ahrefs (for difficulty score)
- Ubersuggest or SEMrush (for content ideas)
🧠 Pro Tips for Better Keyword Planning
- Think like your audience. Use real-world search phrases, not just business terms.
- Use competitor domains to find gaps and opportunities.
- Group keywords by buyer intent to align with funnel stages.
- Don’t chase only high-volume terms. Sometimes, low-volume keywords convert better.
- Refresh your keyword research regularly—search trends change!
✅ Conclusion: Keywords That Drive Results
Google Keyword Planner is more than just a volume checker—it’s a powerful strategy tool for anyone in digital marketing. When used correctly, it can guide your SEO content, fuel paid campaigns, and ultimately boost your ROI.
Need help finding high-converting keywords or planning your next ad campaign?
👉 Let Digimitrix do the heavy lifting.
We turn keyword data into strategies that scale.
