WA Keyword Tool Bug(s)?
Over the past few months, the WA keyword tool has given me some inconsistent results. Once in a while, the search stats for particular keywords would change substantially (in the thousands) from what I recorded in an earlier search. I've been trying to duplicate the behavior but without success.
Well today, while doing keyword research, I stumbled upon what I think is a minor bug. The problem arises when you search for any keyword with search stats less than 10. After that, the sort function for the search and traffic columns don't work.
Before I report it, I'm just wondering if several readers could check if they can also duplicate the problem.
Steps
- Under Tools menu on the left side, click on Keyword Tool to get the WA keyword tool.
- Type "sugar free chocolate chips recipes" in the search field.
- The search traffic for this keyword should be less than 10.
- Next try sorting on the search and traffic columns. You'll notice that some numbers are out of order.
The keyword "sugar free chocolate chips recipes" no longer shows stats less than 10. Remember, you'll only see the bug for any keyword with stats less than 10.
Try now the keyword, "sugar free chocolate chip muffin recipes". You will see that the sort function does not work.
The bug has been reported to Kyle.
Update October 31, 2014
Kyle has acknowledged bug and will notify developers to get it fixed
Update November 22, 2014
This bug is now fixed.
Recent Comments
17
Hi Lemm.My search did not show less than 10. It showed 48 searches, 9 traffic and 17 results.
I am not sure what you mean by some numbers being out of order.
When I first posted this, the keyword in question was showing stats less than 10. You'll only see the bug or keywords with stats less than 10.
Try the keyword "sugar free chocolate chip muffin recipes". Then sort on the search column. As you will see, it does not work.
I've just reported it to Kyle.
I did the search for this one and Yes, I got less than 10, but what do you mean by sort on the search column?
On the WA keyword tool, you'll see 6 columns for each keyword listed:
- Searches
- Traffic
- Competition
- Article Power
- PPC power
- Dig
Click on the "Searches" title to sort the column. You will see that the numbers don't sort when you scroll down the keyword list.
I looks like mine is doing some sorting. If nothing is happening for you Lemm, you should fill out a support ticket.
Just like everyone is saying, you have to contact Kyle and Carson, its good to know how to improve, and that is very important.
No, I haven't reported it as of yet. I wanted to see if it was just a temporary glitch, they were doing some platform updates around that time, so I decided to hold of on reporting it. Now that it has not resolved itself, I have just reported it. I'll let you know what I get.
Thanks for bringing it to my attention again.
Hi - I suspect that the javascript use to sort the column - will recognise if the content of that column is numerical or not.
If it sees a < (less than) character in it - then it will decide to sort alphabetically.
I've had this issue during my web application programming jobs - it is a common scenario - but I wouldn't call it a bug, that's a bit unfair - more just a feature of the way the javascript or jQuery code used works.
All the best, Mark
Yes, that's why I called it a minor bug. However, I have noticed inconsistent stats on an intermittent basis, but cannot duplicate it.
You will notice that when it sees a "
See more comments
Great observation. Keep us posted on this please.