Whenever there is a talk about digital marketing, experts always advise being consistent with content. The reason for this is that consistent content brings almost 55% more visitors to your website, and not only this, it also brings 67% more leads. Due to these stats, it wouldn't be wrong to consider content as the best bet for increasing traffic. But the real problem is to execute the same; after all, generating ideas regularly is not an easy task.
In this article, we will provide the ultimate solution to help you generate ideas using Google Search Trends. This technique will help you never run out of ideas. We will explain what Google Search Trends is and how to use it step by step. So, make sure to read till the end. Let's begin without any further delay.
What are Google Search Trends?
Google Search Trends is a tool that provides you with insights into search queries. What users are currently searching for or what they have searched for in the past, the tool will tell you about everything, i.e., from real-time data to historical data. In other words, if someone wants to know what is happening or has happened in Google Search Engine (obviously regarding the search queries), then this is their go-to tool.
Features of Google Search Trends
Not only does it list the search queries, but it also represents them graphically so that the users have a better understanding of them. When was the search query at its peak, when did it go down, and how much has it been searched for over a time period? Users can find answers to all these questions. This feature proves that if you want to know the past and present of the Google Search Engine, then this is your go-to tool, something we have just mentioned in our previous paragraph. We were so accurate!
Apart from graphical representation, the tool also provides demographics-based results, which means you can see what people are searching for in a particular area or area-wise contribution in a search query. Users can even compare search terms and filter their results by selecting the time, category, location and search type. The tool, along with desired results, also provides you with the ones related to it; it gives you more than you have asked for!
How do Google Search Trends Work?
We know that many of you have privacy concerns when it comes to using Google Search Trends. Google indeed stores all search queries, allowing you to look back on past searches. However, we understand that privacy is a top priority, and we want to assure you that your privacy is respected and protected. Rest assured that no one is violating your privacy when you use our service.
Let's Understand it with an example. Suppose you are X, and you have searched for a query, "branded shoes". Google will not store it as an X-named user has searched for branded shoes. It will just count you as one of its many users who have searched for branded shoes. This count will later increase with more people searching for the same. Overall, Google Search Trends collects data anonymously and aggregates it to provide its users with insights.
The tool then uses various algorithms to process this vast amount of data, identifying patterns, trends and relations to present meaningful and relevant search trend information to its users.
Also, one of the features of Google Search Trends is to give real-time time results, i.e., up-to-the-minute insights into what people are searching for. Ever wondered how's that possible? The answer is simple: the process that we have mentioned here takes place in real-time, and this is the reason Google Search Trends can reflect the most current search trends and interests.
How to Use Google Search Trends to Generate Ideas?
Make Use of Trending Topics
The purpose of this article is to teach how to generate ideas using Google Search Trends. The first page of the tool can provide unlimited ideas. The trending topics on the home page indicate that the people are talking about or engaged with it. If you target those trending topics, the audience will automatically follow it. Simple!
As already discussed, Google Search Trends can filter out the results based on various parameters, and trending topics are also no exception. You can find the relevant ones either by selecting categories or locations or whatever filter you want to apply.
Suppose you are the owner of a Tech Startup and are running out of content ideas. So the best solution for you is to visit Google Search Trends, set the filter for India location and select "Technology" as a category. All the topics that are trending and belonging to the Technology category will be displayed as results. Thus, here are your ideas! Pick the one that you find most appropriate.
Pick Out the Search Queries
Before discussing the importance of search queries, let's understand the workings of search engines. So, there is a term called keyword, a word or phrase that users type in search engines to find what they are looking for. Websites that optimize content with these keywords in the best possible way get displayed at the top of the search engine results page. These keywords are what we are calling search queries. As of now, we hope you have understood the importance search queries hold.
Let's continue with our previous example. Suppose you have a trending topic, i.e., "Chatgpt", but there are thousands of websites talking about the same. How will you make yourself stand out among the crowd? By utilizing search queries, we can effectively categorize our audience. You need to find out what people want to know about ChatGPT. Is it pricing, guides or hacks? Once you figure out the popular search queries for ChatGPT, you can target that specific audience, which is comparatively easier than targeting the generic audience.
Through Google Search Trends, finding these search queries is not a big deal at all. It works in the same way as it works for trending topics. You can apply various filters here as well to find the most suitable query. So, all you have to do is draft your content around that search query.
Develop Strategy By Studying Patterns
A lot of times, we hear people saying that a certain technology will take over the world or people will engage in something, etc. How do they do so? Well, the answer is by analyzing the past and present. When people study various time periods, they try to find out the relation or trends between them. They bring out the changes that have occurred, and based on those patterns, they curate their strategies.
The same can be applied here as well. By analyzing the search trends of various time periods, you can figure out where people interest's heading and then develop a strategy accordingly.
For example, suppose you are in a food delivery business and notice a high search frequency for vegan food in a particular area. In that case, you can focus on promoting vegan food options to customers in those areas. You can see how things have become so easy. All you have to do is study the search trends and then make informed decisions. A data-driven decision-making approach!
Compare Various Search Terms to Find the Most Suitable Idea
In a business organization, usually, the decision-making processes are executed by a team only unless and until the business owner or a majority stakeholder comes into the picture. So due to this teamwork, there are chances of clashes. It's not guaranteed that every team member will be on the same page.
Sometimes, it can be stressful when you're in a creative team meeting and trying to decide on the best idea. Unlike other items, ideas don't have clear parameters to evaluate them. This is where Google Search Trends can be helpful. By comparing search terms, you can see which ideas are performing better. This tool can be very useful when you're unsure which idea to choose.
Make Use of Filters for Local SEO
The purpose of Local SEO is to increase visibility in local search results. This involves optimizing a website or business listing to rank higher in user searches in a particular geographic location. Any business with a physical location opts for it when it wants to target users of that particular location. With Google Search Trends, businesses get to know what people in their geography are looking for, i.e., local search insights, which will eventually help them develop strategies for local SEO.
For example, if you have a restaurant in a specific area, you can target the people of that locality by analyzing the local search trends. All you have to do is set the category, time period, and location filters and then you will receive your desired local search queries.
Challenges You Might Face
Short-life Span
When talking about how to use Google Search Trends to generate ideas, we said to use trending topics. But please remember that the ideas generated from trending topics will have a shorter life span. There is no guarantee how long it will last. Don't be surprised if it is out of the trending topics list just after a few hours.
So the point is that content based on trending topics will drive your traffic, but for how long, we have no clue. It is not like ever-green ideas that will bring traffic for a long period. In those, traffic is not that much, but it is consistent for a period. Here, you cannot expect people to search for that topic out of nowhere. Once it is out of the trend, it is almost done and dusted.
No Idea of Context
Sometimes, the search queries are not even enough to give its context. Topics are trending, but why, we don't know. If there is no context available, drafting content becomes difficult. Fortunately, this thing is very rare as by doing proper research, you will get the context, but we can not rule out the possibility. It can be there as a challenge.
Competition
Competition is everywhere, but it reaches another level when dealing with trending topics. It also makes sense because you are not the only one using Google Search Trends to generate ideas. Everyone wants to capitalize on trending topics and drive traffic toward their website, like you. So be prepared for the competition. Create quality content and optimize it properly to give yourself a competitive edge.
FAQs
Q. What does "breakout" mean in Google Search Trends?
Breakout means infinite growth. Whenever a search query or a topic witnesses huge growth, Google Search Trends terms it a breakout. For example, if a topic's search volume goes from 100 to 100,000 in a span of a few months, it will be called a breakout as the topic has seen a sort of infinite growth.
Q. How accurate are Google Search Trends' insights?
Very accurate! Google Search Trends utilizes various algorithms to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its results. One such example is that the tool ignores repeated searches done by a user in a short period to ensure the results are accurate and reliable.
Q. Can we filter the searches by age?
Unfortunately, as of now, Google Search Trends doesn't provide that filter. You can still filter your searches based on time periods, categories, geographies and search types.
Q. Is Google Search Trends Free?
Yes, it is absolutely free of cost. None of its features asks for any kind of fee. Moreover, if you want more advanced features, you can use the advanced version of Google Search Trends, which is also free for its users.
Q. What does the dotted line in the graphical representation of results mean?
It represents incomplete data. Whenever data is being collected, the line is dotted. Once all relevant data is received, it becomes solid.
Conclusion
What makes Google Search Trends a reliable tool is the amount of data it works with. It processes approximately 99,000 search queries every second! This huge data set allows its algorithms to detect various patterns or relationships that may not be apparent with smaller datasets.
Google Search Trends is a valuable tool for making data-driven decisions. Its diversification ensures that the results are more generalized and accurate, which everyone wants. Overall, you should look forward to using Google Search Trends as it not only provides you with insights but also ensures that they are as reliable as possible.
