New Google AdWords Keyword Tool - What Can We Do?

[alhallinan]

What options do we have for keyword research now that Google is switching from the Google AdWords Keyword Tool to the Keyword Planner??

[RobertFisher]

alhalinan

Having used the planner quite a bit, i have to say it has a lot of plusses. I love the geotargeting feature that is more precise, etc. I think we all saw it as change.... but, not too bad. One nice thing is it actually will save some of the data so that if you leave the page accidentally you are not crying. When you come back it asks if you wish to start new or resume.

So, I suggest taking it around the block a couple of times.

[TopFloor]

While I haven't used the new tool much, what I have used has shown me that it won't be very effective for down-and-dirty type searches. (i.e., quickly doing keyword research for a specific page).  This is because you no longer have the ability to click a checkbox and download options.

I believe that the best options will be to use the Keyword Planner when doing comprehensive research.  For those who can afford it, using a paid service may be a good option.

I think that this is more proof that Google wants to steer more people towards paid advertising.  And while they won't admit it, Google doesn't see the value of offering a free tool that is focused on improving organic rankings.

[AWCthreads]

The best feature IMO of the keyword tool was the keyword suggestion element.

I guess Google doesn't want to give up too much for free.

I'd also like any good ideas!

[TopFloor]

Bing Webmaster Tools offers a similar tool.  While it isn't as good as Google's previous keyword tool because there aren't as many people searching on Bing; it works very much like the old Google Keyword Tool.  The chief differences IMO are that you can't easily select certain keywords to download (however, you can download quickly), and Bing Uses "Strict" search rather than Exact/Broad/Phrase match.

I think Duane Forrester and the people at Bing appreciate what SEO'ers do and want to help them create a better search environment.

[AWCthreads]

Here's some more disgruntled users in a thread a few posts ahead of yours: http://moz.com/community/q/anyone-else-frustrated-with-the-new-keyword-planner

One of the users mentions Jaxxy and Bing. Options look scarce.

[newtraffic]

alhalinan

Seems lot of collegues have issues with it indeed. Regarding the keyword planner tool it takes more steps to have the overview the old tool supplied. Change in data is that the app changed form broad to exact results. I believe a lot of testing is the way to go and to verify this with your old data. Furthermore I came a tool called Seocockpit, may be that helps. Reviews are fine anyway. Hope this helps ..