Google Keyword Planner is a powerful tool for anyone looking to enhance their online presence, but many are unaware that you can access its features without launching an ad campaign. Here’s how to navigate this resource effectively.
First things first, you'll need a Google Ads account. If you don’t have one yet, signing up is straightforward—just visit the Google Ads homepage and follow the prompts. This process involves providing some basic information about yourself and your business.
Once you're set up with an account, switch it to Expert Mode instead of Smart Mode. This gives you full access to all tools available in Google Ads. Interestingly, even if you're not ready to spend money on ads right away, creating at least one inactive campaign is necessary; just pause it after setting it up and enter your billing details when prompted.
Now comes the fun part: accessing the Keyword Planner itself! Click on the wrench icon labeled 'Tools' on your dashboard's left-hand side and select 'Keyword Planner' under Planning options.
You’ll find two main functionalities here: discovering new keywords or getting search volumes for existing ones. If you're interested in brainstorming fresh ideas related to your products or services, click on ‘Discover new keywords.’ You can input words or phrases that reflect what you offer—this will generate suggestions tailored specifically for you.
Alternatively, if you've already got a list of keywords in mind (perhaps from previous research), choose ‘Get search volume and forecasts’ instead. Uploading these terms allows you to see metrics like average monthly searches and competition levels—all crucial data points for refining your strategy.
After generating results from either option, take advantage of filtering tools available within the platform. You can narrow down results based on location preferences or language settings—a feature particularly useful if you're targeting specific demographics or regions.
Additionally, consider organizing these keywords into ad groups by selecting relevant terms manually or uploading them directly from a file. Once organized through Auto-organize Keywords functionality, you'll receive structured insights that make planning easier than ever before!
In summary? Yes! The Google Keyword Planner remains free as long as you've created an account—even without running active ads initially.