Why is MOZ and Google search Volume so different?

[rcman]

A search term in MOZ shows the monthly search volume to be 49K. In Google, the same term shows the search volume at only 1300 monthly searches. Which do I trust?

Thanks,

Don

[Bryan_Loconto]

Hey Don!

The reason is because Moz keyword tool pulls the SPM (searches per month) data from Bing unfortunately. Google doesn't allow Moz to access this info from their API.

If you notice up at the top of the column it actually states "BING Search Volume". I've added a screenshot to reference. Hope this helps!

LLxYCwX

[rcman]

Hi Bryan,

So even though I selected Google using the drop down button, it really doesn't matter, I'll still get Bing results? I see the note at the top that you are referring to. If it doesn't use Google results I would think they would remove the selection for Google from the drop down selection.

Thanks for the input.

Thanks,

Don

[Bryan_Loconto]

Unfortunately yeah that's the deal man.

When I first saw what you are seeing I called into Moz and was like HEY!! What is this nonsense? That's when they dropped it on me that Google doesn't provide them that information.

So the only data you get that is actually from Google (even when you select the "Google" drop down option) is the Keyword Difficulty.

[rcman]

Yep! kind of crazy.

Well, thanks again. I guess we live with it.

I really appreciate your timely response.

[Bryan_Loconto]

Absolutely!! Glad I could shed some insight on this for you.

But to answer your question, I would only use/trust Google's Keyword Planner especially since you can narrow it down to specific areas and get actual SPM data.

Have a great weekend and good luck with your project!

[DonnaDuncan]

And even then, you have to be careful because Google lies by omission. Rand explains in this Moz Blog post dated February 14, 2012.

[Bryan_Loconto]

Oh no question about that Donna!

To my knowledge there aren't any tools that can/will give exact figures. But in comparison to the Moz Keyword Analysis tool (which provides BING search results), using Google Keyword Planner is about as close as you can get to an "approximate" number.

All these tools do is provide us with an idea of what to focus on. Like Rand mentioned in his post (which is great)...

"THE IMPORTANT LESSON: Running discovery-focused searches in AdWords may not show you all the valuable/high-volume keyword phrases connected to a word/phrase."

And then he goes on to recommend ways to address the challenge. FUN FUN FUN!

[DonnaDuncan]

Totally agree Bryan.

[rcman]

Thanks Donna and Bryan.

I will check out Rand's article.

[4Cornernetworks]

You've answered a question I've been searching for today so thanks Bryan.

Whilst I fully understand why Google does not allow Moz to access those figures, I cannot see the value in understanding solely Bing stats - I'll end up optimising our website for Bing and it's Google we need stats for. Is the Google Keyword Planner the same as Moz's keyword difficulty tool? What's the difference and benefits?

Thanks

Jason