What is Google Trends?

Google Trends is an amazing free tool that gives you a great view of what people are searching for. It records the number of searches for a given keyword or topic at any given time and across different regions and languages. Imagine it as a live pointer for what people want to know now. That said, it is not exact search volumes, but the relative popularity data can be a treasure trove for SEO strategists.

How to Use Google Trends for SEO

1. Unearth Trending Topics: Google Trends is a good tool for discovering search term stars in the search landscape. Look for topics with a smooth and steady upward trend or with an abrupt jump in the number of interested people. They could be related to current events, cultural changes, or the trends within your industry. In such a way, you can draw a huge audience by writing articles on these topics.
2. Validate Keyword Potential: Google Trends can help you get a good picture of your keyword research efforts. Before you decide to spend much money on a certain keyword, see if it’s trending. Is there a constant interest or is it gradually disappearing? For instance, a keyword phrase that is believed to be trending might be on the way down.
3. Spot Seasonal Trends: The search for some things is characterized by seasonal patterns. For instance, “Halloween costumes” are searched in October, while “winter jackets” are the most searched in the cold season. Google Search Trends is your tool to identify these trends and schedule your content in that way to have your pages visible when demand is highest.
4. Find Related Keywords and Queries: Under every trend, you can see “related topics” and “related queries.” These trending keywords are treasure troves for the discovery of new keywords and content topics. Give special attention to the “rising” labels, as they are the ones that show an upward trend with huge growth potential.
5. Compare Keyword Popularity: Google Trends permits you to compare the search volume of any keyword. The fact that it helps to select the most appropriate term for the ad is undoubtedly the most important benefit. It also allows you to measure the competitive environment, if a keyword is highly popular, then the competition for ranking might be higher.
6. Identify Regional Differences: Search trend can be highly variable from one location to another. Using “interest by region”, you can see where your target keywords are the most widespread. This will give you a clue as to how you can build your local SEO or tailor your content to specific audiences.
7. Forecast Future Trends: Although not always accurate, one can gauge from the long-term trends in Google Trends where interest could be headed. This is the case when it comes to the planning of content strategies and the identification of topics that can be applied at any time.
8. Content Refresh and Optimization: If you have older content, Google Trends can expose the fact that the keywords it targets are not current anymore. In case attention is turning away, you could update the content with trending terms or new perspectives and thus give it a second chance.

How to Get Started with Google Trends

1. Venture to the Google Trends Website: The next step is to go to the Google Trends website, which is the starting point of your journey. It is a knowledge base and the most exciting thing is that it is free to use. When designing the interface, we have kept it as simple as possible. If you are new to SEO, then you will not have any problem with understanding the interface of the tool.
2. Input Your Keyword or Topic of Interest: That is all that is required of you and the fun begins as soon as you get to the site. Type the specific word you wish to look up in the search bar, maybe the new Google updates, a place that is trending, or a fashion that is in vogue. When typing, Google Trends can also offer you some suggestions based on the most popular queries, which can also become a source of inspiration.
3. Delve into the Data: You will be surprised by the amount of information you will get when you type your keyword. Focus on how the interest in the selected topic has evolved over the years. Has it been a gradual climb or a roller coaster ride, or has it been a gradual rise and fall like a wave in the sea? Additionally, it is necessary to turn to the “interest by region” section to see where this topic is more engaging. Is there a list of countries or cities where one can feel the heat is on? Finally, do not neglect the “related questions” section. This is where you will discover the questions that people ask about your topic, and they will help you see new opportunities for content generation.
4. Juxtapose Multiple Terms: To expand your field of view, you should not use only one term as a keyword. Google Trends provides you with the possibility of comparing many terms at the same time. This is similar to picking out the various keywords from a race to see which ones are getting more popular and which ones are likely to start losing their appeal. Such comparison is indeed priceless when you are trying to choose the best keyword to target.
5. Refine Your Search with Filters: Think of the filter options as your magnifying glass. You can zoom in on specific categories, regions, and time ranges to get even more granular insights. For example, if you’re interested in “coffee,” you can filter by the “Food & Drink” category, then narrow it down to a specific country like “Italy” and a specific time frame like “past 12 months.” This targeted approach unveils local trends and seasonal patterns that would otherwise be hidden.

A Word of Caution

Although Google Trends is a useful tool, it’s not the ultimate truth about SEO. It is one component of the picture, and it works best when used together with other keyword research and SEO tools. Nevertheless, when you learn about Google Trends, you will discover a new level of search behavior, and you will also find a lot of possibilities to increase the organic traffic to your website.