Google Keyword Tool Showing A Lot Less Searches. What Happened?

[Skinny]

I hope this isn't a double thread.

I noticed that Google seems to have updated their Keyword Tool (it now bolds the phrase you have entered), but I also noticed that the search numbers have dropped for all my domains.

Here's a sample (before and after) of global exact searches:

14 800 > 590
3600 > 1300
3600 > 1000
1000 > 210
1000 > 91

Anyone else seeing a drop in searches for your terms. Any idea if it's an update, seasonal change.

I just don't understand why it's so drastically down.

Skinny

 

[pcp]

Have you tried using the "previous interface" version?
I just checked a few on that and they were pretty much the same.

 

[Entrepreneur888]

Its broken, seriously don't believe anything this tool tells you. After creating hundreds and hundreds of sites i've found that it lies constantly. I would say to use it as an approximation tool. But i'm not even sure its good for that.

As for any new changes your noticing, perhaps they are related to the newest update? the "google instant" one.

Regards,

 

[snoop]

There has been a major update, from what I have read it is now far more accurate for most terms (but not all).

 

[maurixius]

Any one knows where I can find a free site like:

Google Keyword Tool

I appreciate any help!

 

[Entrepreneur888]

There aren't any really,

The Google keyword tool is still the best you can get for free tools. There are lots of good paid ones if your willing to shell out a few bucks.

 

[werty]

check if you are not selecting a limited geo area. Example if you choose "worldwide, all countries and territories" vs. "United States".. etc. I normally use US alone, but if you use "all countries and territories" you will have a lot more search volume, etc..

 

[SiberForum]

Have you tried using the "previous interface" version?
I just checked a few on that and they were pretty much the same.
__________________

Can you estimate then how many people can use that old version. I suppose that is better to invite something for new version instead.

 

[enlytend]

You're not imagining things or doing anything wrong. There HAS been fluctuation in the tool lately - big differences between the old and new interfaces and a lot of questions in the SEO community about just how accurate it is and which (if either) is more correct. (One good article: Is Google AdWords Keyword Tool Now More Accurate?)

Use the numbers as a guideline, not solid fact. And if the number returned seems ridiculously high or low, it's probably wrong.

(The most accurate way to get a handle on search volume is to run an Adwords campaign, but of course that doesn't scale well to scoping out domain name potential ).

 

[ToniS]

Always double check the numbers with Google Insight. Imo insight offers much more relevant stats.

 

[Skinny]

Interesting replies guys.

I did figure that the tool is really super accurate. I kept seeing numbers like 14800, 1600, 3600, on tons of other phrases so I guess it was more of a barometer if anything else.

The fact that the change is so drastic is what sucks. But it is only a tool.

Skinny

 

[thebutler]

Broad OR exact

Make sure you notice what search numbers are being displayed.

Besides the GEO issue.

You can also pull results that an EXACT match or BROAD match.

Huge difference in numbers in that case.

If you are looking for traffic domains for development ideas always use EXACT.

 

[Domainate.com]

A Google employee on their Adwords support forum has said that the new tool gives the #s only for Google while the old gives the #s for Google AND their search partners, which of course begs the question: How is Google such a tiny portion of "Google + search partners"?

 

[TestCase]

...How is Google such a tiny portion of "Google + search partners"?

Maybe they are including all bazillion Adsense publishers in the "search partners" part of the mix! :hehe:

 

[snoop]

A Google employee on their Adwords support forum has said that the new tool gives the #s only for Google while the old gives the #s for Google AND their search partners, which of course begs the question: How is Google such a tiny portion of "Google + search partners"?

Google is most of it from what I have seen, 80% or so. Did they actually say the old data was right?

---------- Post added at 04:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:20 PM ----------

Maybe they are including all bazillion Adsense publishers in the "search partners" part of the mix! :hehe:

Adsense publishers are part of the content network, and there is no search stats for that because the ads aren't triggered by a search.

 

[daj]

Make sure "mobile search" isn't selected, that will give you low search results for some popular terms. Sometimes it automatically has that selected as my choice despite clearing my browsers cache.


Edit 1: Now that I search on it again it seems as if the search amounts are much lower for many keywords. I really thought more people surfed the internet...

Edit 2: Old Interface Exact Searches: [Porn] 24,900,000 [Sex] 24,900,000
New Interface Exact Searches: [Porn] 6,120,000 [Sex] 2,240,000

4 times lower search volume for [Porn]. 11 times lower search volume for [Sex].
If that's not a sign of the End Times, than I don't know what is.

 

[TestCase]

...Adsense publishers are part of the content network, and there is no search stats for that because the ads aren't triggered by a search.

Hokay then, let me splains it to you...

It was meant as a dumb little joke -- hence the "Hehe" at the end.

 

[daj]

So does anyone know if Google has explained why the new interface has such a low search volume for all keywords? I know they first said it was because the previous interface included other search providers in the mix but we all know that doesn't make a lot of sense, since the other search providers they use aren't even that popular. So what is the deal with this? How are you all using the keyword tool now to find decent domains to register? or are you just going with your gut, or using the old keyword tool still? Can Google's Keyword tool even be trusted any longer?