New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University
(Photo Credit: Jeff McNeill) This is a special edition of SEO University where I have a guest post by Elisa Gabbert. Elisa was introduced to me by Byron Gordon, a great guy who I’ve worked with for a couple of years at the Search Engine Strategies conferences here in Toronto. When Byron asks me to check something out, it’s usually good!
Byron said I should check out WordStream’s new keyword tool located at http://www.wordstream.com/keywords. For years I’ve been a fan of using Google’s free tools, namely the Google Keyword Tool and the Google Traffic Estimator Tool. They are both free, provide great data, and it comes directly from Google – what more could you ask for?
I posed the question to Byron and he put me on to Elisa who wrote this guest post. I look forward to your thoughts on WordStream vs. Google after you read the post.
“At WordStream, we recently launched a new free keyword tool. One of the questions we get asked frequently is how the tool compares to the Google keyword tool (in fact it gets asked so frequently we put it in the FAQ).
Let me try to run down the pros and cons of using each tool.
Where Google’s Tool Is Better
Google’s keyword tool is similar to many of their products in that it has two core strengths: it uses Google data, and they give it away for free. If you’re in a market (and there are many) where Google is the dominant player, having access to Google’s data can definitely be useful. And Google has a lot of data.
The tool also provides several columns of numerical stats including both local and global monthly search volume and search volume trends, as well as information like advertiser competition and estimated average CPC which can be useful for the PPC advertiser. Aside from keywords and related terms, WordStream’s tool currently only shows you an estimated relative volume.
Where WordStream’s Tool Is Better
Google’s keyword tool taps into the company’s huge data sources, but they’re not giving you full access to that data. For example, a search for “britney spears” returns 72 results. Performing the same search on our tool yields over 37,000 keywords. We only show you the top 100 within the tool itself, but you can enter your email (or sign up for a free account) and we’ll send you the full list, all 37,563 keyword phrases, free of cost. So we are giving you a lot more to work with, including many long-tail terms, and this is really valuable for large PPC accounts or affiliate marketers especially.
Another advantage to our keyword tool is a greater diversity of keyword sources. We aggregate search query data from Internet Service Providers, browser toolbars and search engines—amounting to more than a billion unique keywords and over a trillion search queries—and we carefully weight the data to avoid bias toward any particular source. So our data is more comprehensive.
The “related keywords” feature allows you to select related terms and synonyms and include them in the results with your original query. Again, this is important for keyword expansion and can tell you what other phrases your audience may be using to search for related topics.
There’s also a filter feature so you can weed out terms that aren’t relevant to your search.
Finally, WordStream’s keyword tool is faster than Google’s. You get results pretty much instantaneously.
In the end, the point of using any of these tools is to get keyword suggestions, and it’s important to remember that they are in fact just suggestions—many of them may be irrelevant to your website or business. The more data you start out with, the more usable, actionable keywords you’re going to end up with after you drill down and figure out which terms are going to be most relevant and valuable for you. Then you can get to work optimizing your web copy and PPC campaigns based on those keywords, which in turn gives you more data to analyze (like which keywords drive the most traffic and conversions, and which aren’t delivering any value). This creates a cycle of data-driven decision making.
Our view is that keywords in and of themselves aren’t worth anything. It’s what you do with your keyword list that matters. That’s why we developed the tool. We hope that dedicated search marketers will stick around to learn the benefits of keyword management—tools and strategies that help you group, organize and act on all that raw keyword data to get real results in return.”
Elisa Gabbert is the Content Development Manager at WordStream, a software manufacturer specializing in keyword discovery & management software for SEO and PPC. To get in touch with Elisa, you can send a note to egabbert at wordstream dot com, follow her on twitter, or check out the WordStream Internet Marketing Blog, where she’s a regular contributor.
What do you think about the WordStream Keyword Tool? Are you going to give it a try? I would love to hear your thoughts on the tool if you comment below!
At WordStream, we recently launched a new free keyword tool. One of the questions we get asked frequently is how the tool compares to the Google keyword tool (in fact it gets asked so frequently we put it in the FAQ).
Let me try to run down the pros and cons of using each tool.
Where Google’s Tool Is Better
Google’s keyword tool is similar to many of their products in that it has two core strengths: it uses Google data, and they give it away for free. If you’re in a market (and there are many) where Google is the dominant player, having access to Google’s data can definitely be useful. And Google has a lot of data.
The tool also provides several columns of numerical stats including both local and global monthly search volume and search volume trends, as well as information like advertiser competition and estimated average CPC which can be useful for the PPC advertiser. Aside from keywords and related terms, WordStream’s tool currently only shows you an estimated relative volume.
Where WordStream’s Tool Is Better
Google’s keyword tool taps into the company’s huge data sources, but they’re not giving you full access to that data. For example, a search for “britney spears” returns 72 results. Performing the same search on our tool yields over 37,000 keywords. We only show you the top 100 within the tool itself, but you can enter your email (or sign up for a free account) and we’ll send you the full list, all 37,563 keyword phrases, free of cost. So we are giving you a lot more to work with, including many long-tail terms, and this is really valuable for large PPC accounts or affiliate marketers especially.
Another advantage to our keyword tool is a greater diversity of keyword sources. We aggregate search query data from Internet Service Providers, browser toolbars and search engines—amounting to more than a billion unique keywords and over a trillion search queries—and we carefully weight the data to avoid bias toward any particular source. So our data is more comprehensive.
The “related keywords” feature allows you to select related terms and synonyms and include them in the results with your original query. Again, this is important for keyword expansion and can tell you what other phrases your audience may be using to search for related topics.
There’s also a filter feature so you can weed out terms that aren’t relevant to your search.
Finally, WordStream’s keyword tool is faster than Google’s. You get results pretty much instantaneously.
In the end, the point of using any of these tools is to get keyword suggestions, and it’s important to remember that they are in fact just suggestions—many of them may be irrelevant to your website or business. The more data you start out with, the more usable, actionable keywords you’re going to end up with after you drill down and figure out which terms are going to be most relevant and valuable for you. Then you can get to work optimizing your web copy and PPC campaigns based on those keywords, which in turn gives you more data to analyze (like which keywords drive the most traffic and conversions, and which aren’t delivering any value). This creates a cycle of data-driven decision making.
Our view is that keywords in and of themselves aren’t worth anything. It’s what you do with your keyword list that matters. That’s why we developed the tool. We hope that dedicated search marketers will stick around to learn the benefits of keyword management—tools and strategies that help you group, organize and act on all that raw keyword data to get real results in return.
Elisa Gabbert is the Content Development Manager at WordStream, a software manufacturer specializing in keyword discovery & management software for SEO and PPC. To get in touch with Elisa, you can send a note to egabbert at wordstream dot com, follow her on twitter, or check out the WordStream Internet Marketing Blog, where she’s a regular contributer.
Hi Evan,
Thanks for hosting this guest post by Elisa Gabbert. I also use Google’s keyword tool, but will definitely check out the wordstream tool, especially for those longtail keywords…
Thanks,
David H
Thanks as always David! Looking forward to your thoughts if you end up using it!
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RT @tweetmeme New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University
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RT @tweetmeme New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University
(Photo Credit: Jeff McNeill) This is a speci.. http://is.gd/3zRkJ
RT @tweetmeme New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University
(Photo Credit: Jeff McNeill) This is a speci.. http://is.gd/3zRkJ
RT @tweetmeme New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University
(Photo Credit: Jeff McNeill) This is a speci.. http://is.gd/3zRkJ
RT @tweetmeme New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University
(Photo Credit: Jeff McNeill) This is a speci.. http://is.gd/3zRkJ
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/21e01a
I have just tested the application and works fine. There is one think i don’t like : the user interface. I think Google keyword tool has a much more user friendly interface.
@caitescott FYI http://bit.ly/1IwpwB
RT @theDukeOfSEO: New Keyword Tool Better Than Google's? – SEO University http://bit.ly/21e01a
RT @lordofseo: RT @theDukeOfSEO: New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/21e01a
RT @DJLitten RT @lordofseo: RT @theDukeOfSEO: New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/21e01a
i prefer to use word tracker http://www.wordtracker.com.
WordStream's New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s AdWords Keyword Tool? – Read SEO University post at http://bit.ly/1ou8f0
RT @GregJarboe New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s AdWords Keyword Tool? – Read SEO University post at http://bit.ly/1ou8f0
RT @gregjarboe: WordStream’s New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s AdWords Keyword Tool? – Read SEO University post at http://bit.ly/1ou8f0
David, Anelly, and Chaa, thanks for your comments. We’ve gotten a lot of feedback to the contrary (people who have found the tool very easy to use and more useful than Wordtracker), so we hope you’ll give the tool another chance and it might just change your mind.
Thanks again!
Elisa
Hi Evan,
Yes, this is a great tool for long tail keywords in Google PPC and great for researching articles & Page Titles. It is better than Google PPC if you really want to break down your keywords and go after a large amount of low volume keywords.
Anelly, WordStream has a paid user interface that I would try out.
Jeff
Wow! That’s a very handy technique. Opens up a whole new range of possibilities for me as I’m still learning this. Thank you.
About time! I found it to be an intuitive and easy to use interface that broadens the search dynamics of the keyword.
[...] On a completely different topic, in September I mentioned a new keyword tool called WordStream. They have since made a few updates and have a new version [...]
Great post Evan, thanks for the information.
thx for share , but i think google adwords keyword tools is more accurate so you can use this tool with adwords tool
Great Post! The Google Keyword Tool has always been one of my most preferred tools when it comes down to keyword research.
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
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Next Generation Long Tail Keyword Tool for SEO, Even Better than Google's http://bit.ly/d0v1tu
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RT @BtSEO New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI: New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s?
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
RT @keyword_tool: New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
Great post! Keep it up Evan!
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
Looks great! I’m going to have to try this out!
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
Wow! New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s, this is great
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New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
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New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
RT @keyword_tool – New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
New Keyword Tool Better Than Google’s? – SEO University http://bit.ly/cvz0pI
Wow! This is a great article. I was first introduced to Keyword Tool by a friend but I don’t seem to understand it so I did not pay attention. Thanks to this article, I understood the concept. When I decided to try it, I realized how helpful it was. Now I am using it along with Google.
Great tool. I have been looking for this type of information for a long time. Thanks for sharing.
Loved this post! Included one of your photos (and linked back to your site) on my recent blog post about tips for making business cards stand out from the crowd. Check it out: http://bit.ly/jaQArr. Thanks again!
Thanks Megan!