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How to Conduct Keyword Research Like a Pro: Step-by-Step with Google Keyword Planner
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If you want to drive more organic traffic, run high-converting ad campaigns, or simply understand what your audience is searching for, then Google Keyword Planner (GKP) is your best friend.
Originally built for advertisers running Google Ads, this free tool is also extremely powerful for SEO keyword research. From discovering new keyword ideas to analyzing search volumes and cost-per-click data, GKP helps you make smarter decisions when creating content or planning paid campaigns.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to use Google Keyword Planner step by step, and how to extract the maximum SEO value from it.
What is Google Keyword Planner?
Google Keyword Planner is a free keyword research tool from Google Ads. It helps you:
- Find new keyword ideas related to your niche
- Discover search volumes and trends
- Estimate CPC (Cost per Click) for paid campaigns
- Understand commercial intent behind searches
👉 While it was primarily designed for advertisers, SEO professionals and digital marketers use it to find keywords that bring organic traffic.
Step 1: How to Access Google Keyword Planner
Yes – Google Keyword Planner is completely free.
But here’s the catch: you need to create a Google Ads account to use it.
- Head over to Google Ads.
- Sign in with your Gmail account.
- Set up your profile (business name, billing info, etc.).
- You don’t need to run a campaign – just having an account gives you access.
Once you’re inside:
- Click on Tools & Settings (wrench icon).
- Under “Planning”, choose Keyword Planner.
You’ll see two options:
- Discover New Keywords
- Get Search Volume and Forecasts
1. Discover New Keywords
This is where the magic happens for SEO keyword research.
You can start with:
- A keyword → e.g., “digital marketing course”
- Multiple keywords → e.g., “SEO training, PPC training, social media course”
- A website URL → GKP will scan the site and suggest relevant keywords
Pro Tip: Enter broad seed keywords instead of very specific ones. For example, instead of “best social media marketing course in Chennai,” try “social media marketing course.”
After entering your keywords, click Get Results.
2. Get Search Volume and Forecasts
This tool is more useful if you already have a list of keywords and just want to check search volume, CPC, and traffic predictions.
You’ll see:
- Avg. Monthly Searches
- Predicted Clicks & Impressions
- Estimated Cost per Click (CPC)
This is especially useful if you’re planning Google Ads campaigns or comparing the demand for multiple keywords.
Step 3: Filter and Sort the Results
Once you land on the Keyword Results Page, you’ll see tons of data.
At the top, you can set targeting options:
- Location → Country, city, or region
- Language → Keywords in your preferred language
- Search Networks → Keep it to “Google” only
- Date Range → Usually last 12 months
Filtering Keywords
You can filter results using these options:
- Keyword Text → Force certain words to appear (e.g., “course” or “training”).
- Avg. Monthly Searches → Helps you find high-traffic or low-competition keywords.
- Competition → Low, Medium, High (for Ads, but useful to gauge demand).
- Top of Page Bid (CPC) → Higher CPC = stronger buying intent.
- Exclude Adult Ideas → Obvious reasons.
Pro Tip: For SEO, sort by Avg. Monthly Searches first. Then look at the Top of Page Bid to check which keywords are profitable.
Step 4: Analyze Keyword Ideas
The “Keyword Ideas” section shows:
- Keyword (by relevance): The main keyword suggestions
- Avg. Monthly Searches: Estimated search traffic
- Competition: How many advertisers are bidding (proxy for demand)
Top of Page Bid: The CPC range advertisers pay
Why this matters for SEO:
- High Search Volume = More traffic potential
- High CPC + Competition = Strong commercial intent (profitable keywords)
- Seasonal Keywords = Check trends (e.g., “Diwali gifts” spikes in October/November)
Step 5: Choose the Right Keywords
This is where strategy comes in. When selecting SEO keywords, balance these 3 factors:
- Search Volume → Enough people searching to make it worth targeting.
- Commercial Intent → If CPC is high, advertisers see value = good for monetization.
- SEO Competition → Analyze who’s ranking on page 1. If top spots are big brands, ranking may be tough.
Example:
If you run a digital marketing institute in Chennai, here’s how you’d choose:
- Too broad: “Digital marketing” (very hard to rank)
- Too narrow: “Digital marketing course for real estate agents in Chennai” (low search volume)
- Balanced: Digital marketing course in Chennai (good mix of volume + intent)
Bonus Step: The Google Keyword Planner Hack
By default, GKP shows you ranges for search volumes (like 1K–10K).
To get more accurate data:
- Run a small Google Ads campaign with low budget.
- Once active, Keyword Planner unlocks exact search volumes instead of ranges.
This way, you’ll know whether a keyword really gets 1,200 searches or 9,800 searches.
Why Use Google Keyword Planner for SEO?
Even though it’s built for PPC advertisers, GKP is an excellent SEO tool because:
- It’s free (unlike Semrush or Ahrefs)
- Data comes directly from Google
- Helps uncover long-tail keywords you might miss elsewhere
- Lets you analyze buying intent via CPC
Combine GKP with tools like Google Trends, Search Console, or Semrush for the best results.
Final Thoughts
Keyword research is the foundation of SEO and PPC success. Without the right keywords, your content won’t reach the audience that matters.
Google Keyword Planner is one of the most reliable tools for this job. By following the steps above—accessing GKP, choosing the right tool, filtering results, analyzing keyword ideas, and picking the right keywords—you’ll be able to build a profitable keyword strategy for both organic SEO and paid campaigns.
If you’re unsure how to conduct keyword research or want expert help in building a powerful SEO/Google Ads strategy, reach out to KingofSEO Software Solution and Training Pvt. Ltd. Our team of digital marketing professionals can help you find the right keywords, create high-ranking content, and run high-ROI ad campaigns.
