Google Instant – instantly changing the face of keyword research? Been doing a boatload more keyword research and thinking on how this would impact search queries for Niche Marketing and such…
Is it the “death of the longtail” or what?
For that, ask SEOMoz’s Rand Fishkin…or SEOBook’s Aaron Wall, or wait a few months to see. What is Google Instant?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/ns/nightly_news/#39068673
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/ns/nightly_news/#39061465
If you don’t want to watch those (they’re about 3 mins each), Google Instant is the next-gen Google. It now will:
1) “Think” for you – the search bar is now attempting to finish your search query in a “helpful” way…
2) If you haven’t read Orwell’s classic, 1984, you should…this is spookily Orwellian, though Matt Cutts and team seem pretty affable on Twitter and other places…
In other words: It’s spooky that the big G is taking search in a direction that seems more like:
I am at the end of a leash, and the big G is leading me where it wants me to go.
Maybe it’s that advertisers pay for the “Instant” KW’s? I’m sure they will in the future: the new PPC…Who knows, just being conspiratorial, Orwellian if you will…
3) Where are you data mining your keywords? Do the search queries that populate in the Instant version of Google – which for now can be shut off at your leisure – do they all appear in the AdWords Keyword tool, where so many get their information?
Here’s the thing: Micro Niche Finder, Market Samurai, Traffic Travis, etc…all scrape the data of the keywords (if that’s the right term, not sure, you get my point) from the AdWords Keyword tool, right?
Well, “Google Suggest” that just rolled out not that long ago – you know, the drop-down menu of actual searches compiled using NON-AdWords keyword lists? Yeah, that – Suggest doesn’t use AdWords but rather uses actual search queries.
Please understand – I work long hours, I could be wrong on that note, but I’m pretty sure that Google Suggest does provide “searched for” keywords that do not appear in the AdWords keyword tool.
Why is that important?
Because if the new Instant relies on the “old” Suggest or the search term suggestions, but you’re using a tool that data mines from a different data base – then you’re missing (potentially) out on some good keyword nuggets.
Do you follow, or are you nofollowing?
What I’m suggesting – and this is 100% off-the-cuff: I am neither Rand Fishkin nor Aaron Wall – I’m suggesting your keyword tool may be missing a lot of good keywords in a very quick “instant.”
I’m sure since the existing 3rd-party tools I mentioned, and the one you’re possibly using, are using the AdWords Keywords tool – it’s not as if these tools are all of a sudden defunct.
They’re all mined from Google’s data centers, and Google SELLS those keywords to PPC customers.
What I am thinking, though, is that more importance and street cred needs to be given to other sources of keywords.
Think about it.
Google Instant Ain't Coffee
How else are you mining these gems?
If Google is using Suggest and Instant to lead the searching public down a bunny trail then don’t you want to own the website that’s found in that bunny trail?
I’ve read someplace where SEO’s in the nosebleed section of Mt. Googlimpius have noted this isn’t an attack on search…then have read other places where “OF COURSE it’s an attack on SEO!”
While the SEO’s argue amongst themselves, as an IMer I need to take action. I can’t let Clare beat me at the Profitzon vs. Amazonian Profit Plan Christmas contest…
My Solution?
Pay attention to the correlation between my AdWords keyword list and how they fit with the search results of “Google Instant coffee” .
But my concern is also an opportunity.
How is this an opportunity? It’s an opportunity to stay on top of the game, by looking at what Google is looking at. Using their own suggested keywords in my SEO.
In other words, while every Tom and Harry Dick are looking at the AdWords KW’s (I’ll still be using them), I’ll be also optimizing for the Instant and Suggest KWs.
GOOGLE INSTANT
The keywords Google now shows as grayed out text in the search bar, as you type. Dynamically it changes with every character…
GOOGLE SUGGEST
The keywords Google suggests in their drop-down menu as you type, not in the search field.
This is an opportunity to stay on top of the game, ahead of the curve, hopefully. This is also just me thinking out loud, so I’m not sure what Google has planned. Specifically, I’m not sure if they’re migrating the AdWords data into their Instant and Suggest data now or in the future.
It is also a time I will be looking at new software – and I’m not pitching you on this since I’ve only watched the videos, but I do think it is ahead of the game (though not the only tool of its kind, it seems to have the most functions for niche marketers and SEOs).
Maybe you’ve seen it – it’s called Keywords Magnet.
It’s $59 and scrapes the “Suggest” keywords, but also uses about 5 other data sources such as Amazon’s “suggest” and Ask.com, etc…it analyzes your KWs for competition and gives a very Market Samurai-ish display of the competition for your terms.
What made it stand out? Besides all this newsworthy goings on about the new Instant Google search engine, it’s about 1/3 the price of Market Samurai, and MS only uses the AdWords data…
I’ve decided that Keywords Magnet will be my next business purchase, because I honestly believe that Google Instant will be enough of a game changer, and I can’t afford to miss out.
And YES it’s too early to tell how all this affects search, but I’ve got my entire financial life hanging on my success or failure online right now, since getting a job around here isn’t easy (more on that some other time).
My solution is to use this tool to target Google’s own suggested source of keywords, meanwhile I’ll have to do this research manually.
By allowing Instant to literally train a generation of searchers using Google, I think this is going to change SEO, or at least my bottom line.
However you’re planning on approaching this change, I’d start looking at what Google “thinks” you and your potential customers are looking for.
When you think you’re “done” doing keyword research, and before you buy that exact match domain name, try this:
Manually type in your next keyword phrase, DON’T cut and paste, but letter-by-letter type it into a Google Instant-powered search bar. Notice the number of terms that “Instant” and “Suggest” bring up…did your tool miss any of these?
Let me carefully say:
I have no idea if you are missing keywords, but already I can tell you that those keywords are highly searched, but NOT all high compete!
Take a look at these keywords when you do keyword research. For you frugal types like me – at least Google is spelling this out for you (literally).
The “Big” Problem?
Try that for every word you’re looking at targeting…and then you’ll see why I was trying to convince my wife that I needed Keywords Magnet.
I’m about to hold up a sign, “Will Work for Keywords Magnet“ for 5 articles…hmm…actually, that’s not a bad trade. Any takers? =)
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I use software similar to the one you linked to, it gets the “suggest” searches from various search engines. So far I’ve mainly been using it for Halloween costumes etc, popular products that are too “new” to be shown on the Google tool (/Micro Niche Finder). I do think it’s useful for long tails. But yeah this instant has got to be changing things, but it’s hard for me to exactly figure out how now. I do think keyword research will be going more along the “suggest” route, it’s just I don’t know how best to use those suggest keywords at this time, since you don’t get any more info than where they’re coming up in the suggest list. I guess, the Google tool could be used for the first part of the search (the non-long tail) and then the suggest to figure out which long tails are best to use??
Ruth – Web Career Girl recently posted..From Now On My Plan Is… To Focus My New IM Strategy
Holy heck, how did I miss that? I had no idea what you were talking about till I tried out Google.
MS does have an option to pull Google search terms which I have always assumed was the suggest data, but I’m not sure. I also had a free tool that could pull that data. Anyway, I have a feeling that the Adwords tool still pulls the highest search terms and anything not there (but in Suggest) are small potatoes, but who knows.
I’m kinda taking a break from KW analysis and just going for the obvious stuff. At this point though, that instant search is a bit concerning – wondering how that will affect what searches ultimately type in as they see the results changing as they type. Hmmm.
Carrie recently posted..Google Revises Search Data
@ Ruth – Hey, Ruth! I don’t know if you mean (or if Carrie does) the “Dojo Niche Hunter” thing ( a Ubot built for and sold at the Warrior Forum – effective but pretty slow at the moment )?
Either way – I’d definitely take a look at the suggested KWs, and they’re arranged by order of frequency of searches.
The drop-down is prioritized like a miniature SERP, but not sure about the “instant” — Google says “instant” relies on 15 technologies, Suggest is another deal…
But you’re right about that! I want to know the search volume, the competition, etc. – not just a phrase! Which is why I think a tool is the way to go (for me, hope my 5 article offer gets picked up sometime so I can put it to use). But yep – that’s what I’ve been doing lately with my new sites, I’ll have to post about that…it’s crazy how long it takes (there are no tools that do all the research I like to have done).
Right now, I’m trying to de-clunkify my process – then this happens! Thanks, Big G! :)
@ Carrie – I missed it too, until I saw some video and then saw PotPieGirl’s recent post in the middle of composing this…she and I must’ve been on the same mailing list or somethin’ – we posted about the same time.
In any case – I’m with you in the simple approach. Funny thing is, I’m just too analytical on KW stuff (after going thru a recent phase of NOT renewing a bunch of LAME domains I bought…what was I thinking?).
So I’m getting pickier…and having a HARD TIME with Dave’s approach, by the way: finding KW’s that are high volume yet not impossible…maybe that’s the thing, though – I want to ask him how he determines a KW for a domain, etc.
I have looked at a few of the KW’s in Suggest, not in the Instant (still unsure if they use the same pool of KW’s, it sounds like they’re different) – and they’re pretty good volume! Check a few out.
JamestheJust on Elance recently posted..Google Instant Ain’t Coffee – Keyword Research Tactics Changed
The tool I have is “Keyword Snatcher” – and it doesn’t give search volumes or anything like that. That’s what I mean, all you get is the prioritized list, which you can compare between the search engines, but you don’t know how many times they’re being searched.
In response to Carrie’s comment that the suggest keywords could be those that get barely any searches – I have read users who have used keywords not even listed in the Adwords Keyword tool, set up an adwords campaign on them, and got lots of traffic for them. This suggests that the keyword tool doesn’t include all the keywords that actually DO get searches.
Confusing/ annoying!
PS. I turned off my “Instant” in google.It’s so annoying!!! Maybe other users will do the same :P
Ruth – Web Career Girl recently posted..From Now On My Plan Is… To Focus My New IM Strategy
Ah! You got Jon Leger’s – it’s not available any more, or at the moment anyway.
What I like about KW Magnet is the competitive analysis and other features, that KW Snatcher didn’t seem to offer when Jon was releasing it.
http://mthink.com/revenue/blog/chris-trayhorn/has-google-killed-seo?utm_source=Revenue+Performance+Newsletter&utm_campaign=504ac46c88-9_9__2010&utm_medium=email
Check that out – it’ll put a real smile on your face…no, no it won’t. The situation is potentially pretty alarming, but still too early to tell…
Very informative article though. And if I were Ruth, I’d be using KW Snatcher alot…
JamestheJust on Elance recently posted..Google Instant Ain’t Coffee – Keyword Research Tactics Changed
Sometimes I think you are better off doing your own keyword research on your own site by checking your logs. If you publish enough articles or posts around a specific topics, nice and long ones, you will start getting organic search engine traffic. Of course you need a few links too. Once that traffic starts coming in, you will see which posts are ranking for which keywords. Look for the money keywords. Optimize the page even better. Get a decent link. Done.
Kathy recently posted..How Will Google Instant Impact Internet Marketing
Argh damn Google. I am just going to carry on as usual for now (still using Keyword Snatcher though). I decided to go for authority blogs so it’s a long term effort anyway.
What that article says about people finding the result they want after only typing in a bit of the word seems true, like this bit in the comment says “Thus, ranking for the keyword “Palm Springs Hotels” is far less important than ranking for the keyword “Palm Springs”. ”
BUT if ranking for the shorter tail keywords is all that matters, there will be WAY fewer sites shown at the top of Google results (does my logic make sense?!) for example, the Big Authority Hotel Blog would show up for many hotel related searches, because people never got to type in their full long tail keyword, instead of many different smaller hotel sites showing up after people search for all their long tail keywords. Surely Google wouldn’t want that? I can understand why they want more authority sites and less micro sites, but it doesn’t exactly enhance the user experience if certain sites always showed up for all kinds of searches and they were less specifically chosen to come up.
OK that doesn’t make complete sense but maybe you get the gist of what I’m trying to say?
Ruth – Web Career Girl recently posted..From Now On My Plan Is… To Focus My New IM Strategy
James a very timely and important post. Apart from the new “Instant” the “suggest” should definitely be part of everyone’s arsenal.
They are queries that are definitely being searched for and most often they relate to the main terms or other longtails.
For I don’t know how long now it has been one of my top keyword tools. Fast and simple and definitely worthy of articles in their own right.
Or, and this definitely works well, at least use the other terms as H2′s in your articles. It really does make a post get a boost as you are writing an article that is covering the topic in more detail and are also showing Google that you have covered the topic for the terms they know a lot of people are typing in, or clicking on.
Just don’t tell everyone or they will all be at it ;)
Top tip of the week.
Dave recently posted..How To Be A Loser At Internet Marketing
Google Instant is amazing! If you know how to use it to your advantage (which is ranking for those “suggested” keywords), then you should have no problems….in fact, your only worry should be showing up for every suggested keyword in your niche.
In the meantime, using software like RankTracker should be enough help to find keywords outside of Google. :)
@ Yolanda -
That’s true, Yo – glad Leo did his thing a while back and got me on that! Good point.
@ Dave -
Your titles rock, man – love the ComLuv, now I’ve got to check it out – and of course you’ve been using suggest this whole time. Darn experience…:)
And your tip on the H2 tags…that’s gold, man. Have you tried it with your “Alt” tags as well?
@ Ruth -
You know, you’ve got a point at that – re: the user’s experience, small businesses not showing up in favor of large ones…I’ve just read a post at PotPieGirl’s blog, the comments section, there’s a commenter who said there that these KW’s will become assimilated into the AdWords KW list as more and more people begin using them..
THAT makes sense, and takes the edge off – but it’s still conjecture at this point. I mean, Google would be lame not to re-sell those KWs in the long term to the PPC crowd, I’d think…in the meantime, I’m definitely going to be paying a lot more attention to the suggested KWs, seems the cool kids beat me to it (Dave, Yolanda).
If you know how to use it to your advantage (which is ranking for those “suggested” keywords), then you should have no problems….in fact, your only worry should be showing up for every suggested keyword in your niche.
I might need to add my keywords that i think i can rank for, main keyword, and then take those suggested kws and run again to see if i can rank for the suggested ones also. But I think if you are using google adwords and u filter you should automatically have those suggested words included already right?
On a sidenote how are u guys putting your blog link on the bottom like “last blog entry” I just put my blog on in the website box.
Jon, it’s ComLuv (re: the title of posts/link).
Great tool James!
The only true thing is the GKT is not the only source of keywords and it’s not even accurate.
I also use related searches, keyword wheel. but this tool is great time saver.
Anton recently posted..Income Stats – August 2010
Thanks, Anton – I’m sure it will speed your massive research needs up (you’re on a whole different level than I).
Great article james!
BTW, I would totally take you up on your Keyword Magnet = 5 articles deal! ;-)
I was actually reading about the changes I think yesterday and immediately had some of the same thoughts as you guys.. what a great new way to do research!
I don’t know how all of this is going to effect SEO and Search but I am starting to change my perspective on the whole Social Media Optimization front. I am turning into a fan of community building for sure (as you probably noticed).
Either way, I am really interested to see how this all turns out. Somehow I think a lot of people are going to HATE this new chance (as it’s kind of annoying).
Anyways, good post James, always a fun read.
- DC
Matthew DC recently posted..SEO Basics Part 2- What is Search Engine Optimization
Matt, email me – I’m game.
And Matt Cutts released a video on this whole deal, found it on Kathy Blogger’s site – good point about the community/social media – definitely something to consider, depending on the blog/etc.
It’s probably a good idea to invest in other strategies (different types of $ making blogs with a different approach) – but time will only tell.
JamestheJust on Elance recently posted..Google Instant Ain’t Coffee – Keyword Research Tactics Changed
Hey, James: my personal opinion – we are overthinking the entire issue.
The truth of the matter is I’ve never seen a keyword research tool that does ALL the heavy lifting. KW magnet does sound promising though as an addition to Market Samurai.
I do agree with Kathy’s post. It’s the easiest way to rank for great keywords that you KNOW people are looking for.
By the way, I am opening my blog up for guest posting; would you do me the honors?
Ana Hoffman
PS I just posted an article on Google Instant on my blog this morning; I will link it to your post, might get you more traffic and a different prospective for my readers.
Ana | Traffic Generation Cafe recently posted..New Google Instant- New Need For Speed
Ana -
Well said, my issue is that I overthink keywords as it is, having wasted hours chasing KW’s that didn’t rank because I chose improperly.
Having learned a thing or two, I know what to look for in my KW’s. Like Market Samurai, Keywords Magnet is offering metrics that I’m doing long-hand in my research.
From that angle, I’m looking forward to using it, but do appreciate your thoughts on the issue. Having conducted a few searches, it’s somewhat disheartening that the KW’s I selected a while back for domains aren’t the first choice in the new Google search…
Anyhow, re: guest posting, would love to take you up on it. Have some posts in mind.
JamestheJust on Elance recently posted..Google Instant Ain’t Coffee – Keyword Research Tactics Changed
I use Market Samurai extensively although I rarely use the keyword research component anymore. Have you ever heard of Keyword Snatcher? That works pretty well. I believe that is also based on suggested keywords.
Tia recently posted..27 Posts That Will Save Your Blogging Life
Hey, Tia – yes, I was on the Beta list, and at the time didn’t care to try it.
The only reason I thought twice about this Keywords Magnet is Google Instant made me think twice.
When Keyword Snatcher came out, it was before all this hubbub. Two things about KS:
It’s not available at the moment (Jon Leger had a limited release).
It didn’t analyze competition, at least not as extensively – that was one of the recommendations to the team (Jon’s team), there really wasn’t any analysis other than the position in the suggested drop-down listing.
I’m basing that on the Beta-tester discussion in the forums – maybe that’s changed?
Tia – just re-read your comment, and between you and Ana (like Yolanda during the interview waaaay back) I have to ask – what do you use for KW research?
You mention you don’t use Market Samurai for that – that tool is so jammed with features it’s unfair! – so do you just free hand it?
I’ve just barely begun venturing into that territory, KathyBlogger mentioned a method that I’ve just barely began exploiting (using Analytics data)…
Just curious. Always game for a KW discussion!
Google instant is a very good opportunity to dominate long tail keyword traffic. Seen a rise in traffic but can’t attribute it to google instant because I also have a lot of testing going via the article marketing robot and auto back-link bomb.
Anyhow, for keyword research I don’t focus entirely on GKT.
I use GKT to get ideas, write an article and point all links to a blogger site then monitor the keywords that are worth targeting.
Dennis recently posted..Internet Marketing Week 30
Dennis -
That’s a great idea, man, been doing that with other Web 2.0 properties.
JamestheJust recently posted..SEOPressor And Amazonian Profit Plan Ranking Experiment
Very glad I read this. Thank you. I have some work to do now. It never ends!
http://tanoshiboy.blogspot.com/
WOW. Your illustrations are seriously awesome, Dennis – my 10 year old and I love art of that stripe. I’m a huge DC and Marvel comics, Dark Horse Comics…Image…yada yada…
Grew up on cartoons – they were my first parents – I’m a fan!! Thanks for droppin’ by, you’ve got skills, man!
I think Google killed long-tail keywords with the introduction of Instant.
Rev recently posted..10 Brilliantly Designed Movie Posters
I’m not sure I’d go that far just yet, but it sure made #1 a whole lot more important…the drop-down menu and the first ad placement pushes the #2 and following sites down beneath the fold in most searches.