New Keyword Planning Tool

[JamesBSEO]

In the past we have used google analytics keyword tool to evaluate a keyword for our campaign. Recently though with the changes to the keyword tool becoming the keyword planning tool we've seen an extreme fluctuation in the metrics provided for avg monthly searches.

Specifically the keyword "best fries" used to be reported at 33100 avg global monthly searches, now with the new tool its at less than 200 overall for the month.

Additional information has the google trends for the keyword to only be increasing and is roughly near peak search interest.

So I guess to simplify the question, should I trust this metric? Is there an alternative source I can use for keyword research? Why would a drop like this happen? Why isn't the google trends data similar to that of the keyword data? Surely 100 representing peak interest doesn't translate to 200 searches a month.

[S.S.N]

Google changed the keyword tool from showing broad results to showing exact results.

you can change the setting though.

here's a good link on all the changes - http://www.smartinsights.com/search-engine-marketing/keyphrase-analysis/google-keyword-planner/

[danatanseo]

Agree and thumbs up to Sara. Also, it's important to understand that, while you can change the setting to show broad match instead (which used to be the default), you are only going to see search results based on your settings in your Google Adwords account. This is potentially a huge difference because, while the tool used to show global & local results in two different columns, what you are now seeing are searches based on your Adwords settings. Which mean, if your campaigns only run in the USA, you will only see USA search volume.

I wrote about the changes in a blog post a few weeks ago located here: http://www.danatanseo.com/2013/07/google-keyword-planner-vs-keyword-tool.html

Larry Kim did a more exhaustive post on the subject here: http://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2013/04/25/keyword-planner

Hope that helps explain in more detail the discrepancies you are seeing! Cheers!

[Ron_McCabe]

I really like the Spyfu Recon files tool.  It give you the words and content that people actually click through on both on your site as well as your competitors.