Google Trends is a GOLD mine for SEO research.
If you’re interested in tapping into Google Trends, but are new to the tool, this article is perfect for you.
Or if you’re already familiar with Google Trends, but want new strategies to use it for your SEO research, you’re in the right place too.
Hey! I’m Connor Gillivan. I’m an SEO and Entrepreneur that’s been in the industry for the past 10+ years. I run SEO for my own portfolio of companies and for my clients at TrioSEO.
Needless to say, I’m obsessed with SEO and I love teaching it to others as well.
Over the past few years, Google Trends has become a favorite tool for me to perform keyword research and I want to show you exactly how I do it.
In this article, I’ll break down Google Trends for you, talk about different ways that it can be used for SEO, and answer common questions that I get about Google Trends and SEO.
If you still have questions after reading, reach out to me through email or find me on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.
Alrighty, let’s get into it…
How to Use Google Trends for SEO Research (An Ultimate Guide)
1. Identify Trending Keywords
- Search for keywords in your niche to discover rising trends.
- Focus on high-traffic topics before they peak for maximum visibility.
2. Compare Keyword Popularity
- Use the comparison tool to see which keywords perform better.
- Prioritize keywords with sustained or increasing interest.
3. Analyze Seasonal Trends
- Identify when certain keywords peak during the year.
- Plan and publish seasonal content ahead of high-traffic periods.
4. Explore Related Queries
- Check “Related Queries” to find long-tail or related keyword opportunities.
- Focus on breakout keywords with fast-growing search volume.
5. Refine Local SEO
- Filter results by location to identify region-specific search interests.
- Tailor content to local trends and keywords for better local ranking.
6. Monitor Competitors’ Keywords
- Analyze keyword trends in your competitors’ industries.
- Look for content gaps or trends they haven’t covered yet.
7. Validate Content Ideas
- Use Google Trends to check if your content ideas align with search demand.
- Focus on creating content for topics showing upward trends.
8. Track Brand Interest Over Time
- Monitor your brand’s search volume compared to competitors.
- Use this data to measure the effectiveness of campaigns.
9. Optimize for Video SEO
- Check trends specific to YouTube searches.
- Create video content for keywords gaining popularity in video results.
10. Discover New Markets
- Analyze international trends to identify global content opportunities.
- Adapt your SEO strategy to cater to emerging markets.
11. Spot Long-Term Trends
- Use historical data to analyze how keywords perform over several years.
- Focus on topics with consistent growth to build evergreen content.
Action Items
- Use Google Trends to identify rising and seasonal keywords for your niche and plan content accordingly.
- Compare keyword popularity using the tool to prioritize terms with sustained growth.
- Filter Google Trends results by location to improve your local SEO strategy.
- Check “Related Queries” to discover long-tail keyword opportunities and breakout trends.
- Analyze competitors’ keywords to identify gaps and create unique content.
FAQs
What is Google Trends, and how can it help with SEO?
Google Trends is a tool that analyzes the popularity of search queries over time. It helps SEO professionals identify trending keywords, understand search patterns, and plan seasonal content. By using its insights, you can align your content strategy with current and emerging trends.
How do I use Google Trends to find long-tail keywords?
Check the “Related Queries” section for each keyword you research. This section lists queries related to your keyword, often including long-tail phrases. Focus on terms marked as “Breakout” to capitalize on fast-growing trends.
Can Google Trends improve my local SEO strategy?
Yes, Google Trends lets you filter results by location, helping you identify region-specific search interests. By tailoring your content to local trends and using regionally relevant keywords, you can enhance your visibility in local search results.
How can I use Google Trends for video SEO?
Google Trends includes data for YouTube searches, allowing you to identify keywords gaining popularity in video results. Create video content targeting these keywords to improve your visibility and engagement on YouTube and other video platforms.
Why is tracking brand interest over time important?
Tracking your brand’s search volume over time helps you measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. Comparing your brand’s performance to competitors can also reveal opportunities to improve visibility and capture market share. This data is essential for long-term strategic planning.
Thoughts and Outro
Google Trends opens your SEO research to a new set of data that other keyword research tools doesn’t have.
It gives you the “pulse” on what’s happening with regards to specific search terms.
A “pulse” that you can tap into and take advantage of with your content and SEO strategy.
My advice: Go to Google Trends right now and experiment with these 11 strategies.
Test them out for yourself, see what you find, and make variations on them for future use.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to how good your process is and how often you incorporate it into your SEO.
My name is Connor Gillivan. I’m here to make SEO and digital marketing simpler for millions.
If I can ever help you in any way, reach out and let’s chat. And follow me on LinkedIn and Twitter/X for daily tips, tricks, and advice.
All my best,
Connor
Whenever you’re ready, here’s 3 ways I can help you:
1. My SEO Course: “The SEO System” teaches the exact daily, weekly, and monthly SEO processes I’ve used to scale multiple companies to 6, 7, & 8 figures in sales. Available for pre-sale now!
2. TrioSEO: Hire me & my team to create SEO content for your business. We’ll create a comprehensive SEO plan, execute, & keep you updated so your business gains more traffic, leads, & sales. Get a Free SEO Audit.
3. Promote yourself to 90,000+ SEOs, marketers, & entrepreneurs by sponsoring this newsletter and my social channels. (Booked out 1 month). Email me for info.
