Google Keyword Planner basics in SEO Fundamentals - Step-by-Step Execution

Concept Flow - Google Keyword Planner basics

Start: Access Google Ads Account

↓

Open Keyword Planner Tool

↓

Choose: Discover new keywords OR Get search volume

↓

Enter seed keywords or website URL

↓

View keyword suggestions and data

↓

Analyze metrics: search volume, competition, bid estimates

↓

Select keywords for campaign or research

↓

End

The flow shows how to start from Google Ads, open Keyword Planner, choose an option, input keywords or URL, view suggestions, analyze data, and select keywords.

Execution Sample

SEO Fundamentals

1. Log in to Google Ads
2. Navigate to Keyword Planner
3. Select 'Discover new keywords'
4. Enter 'coffee shop' as keyword
5. View keyword ideas and metrics
6. Choose keywords for your campaign

This sequence shows the basic steps to find keyword ideas and their data using Google Keyword Planner.

Analysis Table

Step	Action	Input/Condition	Result/Output
1	Log in to Google Ads	User logged in	Access to Google Ads dashboard
2	Open Keyword Planner	Clicked Tools & Settings > Keyword Planner	Keyword Planner interface opens
3	Choose option	Select 'Discover new keywords'	Prompt to enter keywords or URL
4	Enter keyword	Input: 'coffee shop'	Keyword ideas generated
5	View data	Keyword ideas displayed	See search volume, competition, bid estimates
6	Select keywords	User picks relevant keywords	Keywords saved for campaign
7	End	No more actions	Process complete

💡 User completes keyword selection or exits tool

State Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 3	After Step 4	After Step 5	Final
User Input	None	Option chosen: Discover new keywords	'coffee shop'	Keyword ideas list	Selected keywords
Keyword Ideas	Empty	Empty	Generated list	Displayed with metrics	Final chosen set

Key Insights - 2 Insights

Why do I need to choose between 'Discover new keywords' and 'Get search volume'?

Because 'Discover new keywords' helps find new ideas based on your input, while 'Get search volume' shows data for keywords you already have. See execution_table rows 3 and 4.

What does the competition metric mean in the keyword data?

Competition shows how many advertisers bid on that keyword. High means many advertisers, low means fewer. This helps decide keyword difficulty. Refer to execution_table row 5.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

According to the execution_table, what is the output after entering the keyword 'coffee shop'?

A Keywords saved for campaign

B User logged in

C Keyword ideas generated

D Google Ads dashboard

💡 Hint

Check execution_table row 4 under Result/Output

At which step does the user see search volume and competition data?

A Step 5

B Step 3

C Step 2

D Step 6

💡 Hint

Look at execution_table row 5 for viewing data

If the user skips selecting keywords, what is the final state of 'Selected keywords' in variable_tracker?

A List of keywords

B Empty or None

C Keyword ideas list

D User input 'coffee shop'

💡 Hint

Refer to variable_tracker row 'User Input' final column

Concept Snapshot

Google Keyword Planner basics:
- Access via Google Ads > Tools & Settings
- Choose 'Discover new keywords' or 'Get search volume'
- Enter keywords or website URL
- View keyword ideas with search volume, competition, bid estimates
- Select keywords to plan campaigns or research
- Helps find relevant keywords and understand their popularity

Full Transcript

This visual execution guide shows how to use Google Keyword Planner starting from logging into Google Ads, opening the tool, choosing the option to discover new keywords, entering a seed keyword like 'coffee shop', viewing keyword suggestions with important metrics such as search volume and competition, and finally selecting keywords for your campaign. The step-by-step table tracks each action and its result, while the variable tracker shows how user input and keyword ideas evolve. Key moments clarify common confusions about tool options and metrics. The quiz tests understanding by referencing the execution steps and variable states. The snapshot summarizes the core process and purpose of the tool.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of Google Keyword Planner?

easy

A. To track website visitor locations

B. To design website layouts

C. To write blog posts automatically

D. To find popular search words and plan keywords

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the tool's function

   Google Keyword Planner is designed to help users find popular search terms and plan keywords for SEO and advertising.

2. Step 2: Compare options with the tool's purpose

   Only To find popular search words and plan keywords matches this purpose; others describe unrelated tasks.

3. Final Answer:

   To find popular search words and plan keywords -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Keyword research = find popular words [OK]

Hint: Remember: Keyword Planner finds search words [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing keyword planning with website design
• Thinking it writes content automatically
• Mixing it up with visitor tracking tools

2. Which of the following is the correct first step to use Google Keyword Planner?

easy

A. Write a blog post before searching keywords

B. Download the Google Keyword Planner app

C. Enter your website URL to get keyword ideas

D. Create a social media account

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the correct starting action

   The tool allows users to enter a website URL or keywords to get keyword ideas.

2. Step 2: Eliminate unrelated options

   Downloading an app, writing posts first, or creating social media accounts are not steps in using the planner.

3. Final Answer:

   Enter your website URL to get keyword ideas -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Start with URL or keywords [OK]

Hint: Start by entering URL or keywords [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Looking for a separate app to download
• Trying to write content before keyword research
• Confusing social media setup with keyword planning

3. If you enter the keyword "coffee mugs" in Google Keyword Planner, what kind of information will you get?

medium

A. The number of searches per month and related keyword ideas

B. The exact sales numbers of coffee mugs online

C. The website traffic of coffee mug sellers

D. The social media likes for coffee mug posts

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what Keyword Planner provides

   It shows search volume (how many times people search) and suggests related keywords.

2. Step 2: Identify irrelevant data types

   Sales numbers, website traffic, and social media likes are not provided by this tool.

3. Final Answer:

   The number of searches per month and related keyword ideas -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Search volume + related keywords = The number of searches per month and related keyword ideas [OK]

Hint: It shows search counts and related words [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing search volume with sales data
• Expecting website traffic stats
• Looking for social media metrics

4. You tried to use Google Keyword Planner but got no keyword suggestions. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. You need to pay extra to get suggestions

B. You entered a very rare or misspelled keyword

C. Your internet connection is too fast

D. Google Keyword Planner only works on mobile

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze why no suggestions appear

   If the keyword is very rare or misspelled, the tool may find no data to suggest.

2. Step 2: Rule out incorrect reasons

   The tool is free to use with a Google account, internet speed does not block results, and it works on desktop too.

3. Final Answer:

   You entered a very rare or misspelled keyword -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Rare or wrong keyword = no suggestions [OK]

Hint: Check spelling if no suggestions appear [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking you must pay for keyword ideas
• Blaming internet speed
• Assuming it only works on mobile

5. You want to plan an ad campaign for a new product. How can Google Keyword Planner help you choose the best keywords?

hard

A. By showing keywords with high search volume and low competition

B. By listing only the most expensive keywords

C. By generating random keywords unrelated to your product

D. By hiding keywords that competitors use

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand ad campaign keyword needs

   Good keywords have many searches but low competition to get better ad results.

2. Step 2: Identify how Keyword Planner assists

   The tool provides search volume and competition data to help pick effective keywords.

3. Step 3: Eliminate wrong options

   It does not list only expensive keywords, generate random unrelated words, or hide competitor keywords.

4. Final Answer:

   By showing keywords with high search volume and low competition -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   High volume + low competition = best keywords [OK]

Hint: Pick keywords with many searches and low competition [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing only expensive keywords
• Expecting random or unrelated suggestions
• Thinking competitor keywords are hidden