Why Do Keyword Results Differ Greatly Between Google Keyword Planner and WA Keyword Tool?
I should be an expert at keyword research. I spent weeks of being mentored on keywords way back in 2007.
I’ve used a variety of Keyword Tools over the years, but still I struggle to understand the difference in results from one keyword to another.
Tutoring has supposedly revealed that Keyword Tools work on the basis of Google’s keyword research results.
However, I say – NOT SO.
IF SO – Why do I get results such as the following?
EXAMPLE No. 1
Keyword: healthy eating guidelines
Monthly searches: Google Planner = 1,600
Monthly searches: WA Keyword Tool = 458
Difference in search results: = 1,142
EXAMPLE No. 2
Keyword: best tasting tomatoes
Monthly searches: Google Planner = 720
Monthly searches: WA Keyword Tool = 274
Difference in search results: = 446
How does one explain differences such as these to a complete newbie in affiliate marketing?
I would be grateful to hear from anyone who can help me to justify these results to the uninitiated affiliate marketers.
Many thanks :)
Recent Comments
10
So do we use WA keyword tool or google for best results because when I am doing it the difference is thousands I find.
I don't use Google Keyword Planner so I'm just guessing here. The WA Keyword Tool uses the keyword phrase inside quotes e.g. "healthy eating guidelines" as opposed to healthy eating guidelines without quotes. A search without quotes will always give higher results because the words can appear in any order, whereas when searching using quotes the words must appear together and in the same order. ~Marion
I didn't realise this Marion! Thanks for the answer - but one (maybe stupid - and apologies if it is!) question. Most people wouldn't search with quotes right? So how does that affect the result of each keyword tool?
(...and Valerie thanks for asking the question!)
Thanks so much Marion for your response. Of course, what you say is correct. I didn't realize, or hadn't given thought to WA Keyword tool being inside quotes - in other words, exact match.
Oh, how I let myself get bogged down on this!!
Thanks again Marion, I really appreciate your prompt reply :)
- Valerie
Hi Sarah - Very often keyword research training is about searching for exact match keywords. Putting quotes around the keyword, or keyword phrase, causes the search to be an exact match.
I can't believe I had overlooked exact match keyword search. All thanks to Marion for bringing me back to my senses!
And thanks to you too Sarah.
- Valerie
Most people don't search with quotes but the exact match keywords should appear higher in the search results than the ones where the keywords are there but in a different order. So the exact match search is more indicative of where your post will appear when it's published.
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Good point Helen. I pondered over that for quite some time and then I asked the same question.
The difference between WA Keyword Tool and Google is:
* WA Keyword tool results are 'Exact' match findings.
* Google tool results are 'Broad' findings.
If you were to place inverted commas (speech marks) around your keyword research in Google your results would be much less.
For example: The following are results I just got from Google using the Chrome browser. (Results could be different with another browser)
how to build a website - Number of searches 150,000,000
"how to build a website" - Number of searches 173,000
I recommend planning your keyword research using Exact match. Therefore the WA Keyword tool is the easier one to use.
I trust this is helpful Helen. If you need further help please let me know :)
Yes very and thanks for clarifying