Golden Rule #2: How to Find High Traffic Keywords
Video Transcript
In this lesson we’ll be taking a look at the second Golden Rule of Keyword Research, namely - Traffic.
We’ll be covering:
(1) The difference between searches and traffic
(2) We’ll also discuss the Organic Traffic settings in Market Samurai
(3) And finally we’ll look at how to find keywords that have sufficient traffic to be worth targeting
High and low traffic keywords
In every niche, there are many different keyword phrases and every phrase has a value based on how many people use it to access the niche.
Some keywords generate high levels of traffic while other keywords generate low levels of traffic.
For example in the dog training niche, on average 249 people per day explore the niche by entering the phrase ‘How to train a dog’ into Google. In contrast, only 1 person per day explores the niche using the phrase ‘Dog training facts’.
Zero-in on best keywords
Many people are surprised to learn that in most niches over 90% of all keywords have insignificant levels of traffic and are not really worth spending a lot of time and effort on.
Unfortunately, when a lot of people start their Internet business, they target keywords at random and are then disappointed to find that they receive little or no traffic to their website.
Using Market Samurai however, you’ll be able to zero in on the minority of keywords in your niche that do have significant levels of traffic.
So let’s cross over to Market Samurai and take a look at how this works in the real world.
Dog training example
In this example, I’ve created a project based on the term ‘dog training’ .
To analyze the keywords I’ve generated, I just come down here and click the ‘Analyze Keywords’ button.
Organic Traffic data
In this video we’ll be focusing on the Organic Traffic data, which is why I’ve checked all of these checkboxes and unchecked all the other checkboxes.
As you can see we now have four columns of data that describe the organic traffic associated with a selection of keywords in the dog training niche.
Total Searches
The first column is Searches and this shows the average number of people who search for a particular keyword each day.
Sort data by clicking on column heading
I can sort my data from high to low by clicking on the column heading ‘Searches’. So this means that on average 364,932 people search for the term ‘puppy’ and its derivatives each day.
SEO Traffic
The next column is ‘SEO Traffic’ which we abbreviate to SEOT. To understand SEO Traffic we first need to clarify the difference between Searches and Traffic.
Difference between searches and traffic
Whenever Google displays a page of results relating to a particular keyword, a high percentage of people will choose to explore the #1 ranked website. A smaller percentage of people will choose to explore the #2 ranked website and so on.
The average breakdown of these percentages is as follows:
The number 1 ranked website receives 42% of clicks
The number 2 ranked website receives 12% of clicks
The number 3 ranked website receives 8% of clicks
The number 4 ranked website receives 6% of clicks
The number 5 ranked website receives 5% of clicks
The number 6 ranked website receives 4% of clicks
The number 7 ranked website receives 3% of clicks
And the remaining clicks are shared between all the other sites listed in Google.
What this means is that even if you are the number 1 ranked website in google for a particular keyword, there is a big difference between the number of people who search for a phrase and the number of people who will actually click through and visit your website.
Definition of SEO Traffic (SEOT)
So rather than basing your analysis on search numbers and then being disappointed by the actual traffic you receive, we developed the concept of SEO Traffic which gives you an indication of the maximum daily visitors that the #1 ranked website in Google could potentially receive from each keyword.
In fact, because SEOT is a more accurate estimate of actual traffic, I’ll just go up here and hide the total searches column to make things a little easier.
Phrase to Broad Match Ratio
The next column we’ll look at is the Phase to Broad Match Ratio which is a useful filter for eliminating misleading keyword phrases. The higher the PBR, the more likely it is that people are actually searching for a phrase in Google.
Trends information
And the final column we’ll look at today is the Trends column which provides a visual representation of the monthly traffic trends for each keyword.
The first bar relates to January and the last bar relates to December.
Now because I’m analyzing keywords in November 2009, the first ten bars make use of data from January 2009 to October 2009. However, the last two bars make use of data from November 2008 and December 2008.
In this way the graph always provides twelve months of trend information.
Identifying seasonal keywords
The Trends graph is particularly useful for identifying keywords that are very seasonal. For example, here is organic traffic data for the keyword phrase 'halloween costumes'.
You can see that this is a very seasonal term with a large spike in October as you’d expect.
If you want even more trend related information, just click on the trend graph.
Additional trend information
This will open a new window that provides more detailed information relating to the trends associated with your keyword phrase.
OK, let me just close this window and we’ll get back to Market Samurai.
Setting a SEO Traffic filter
Now that we’ve looked at what each of the organic traffic indicators mean, lets take a look at how to identify keywords that have significant levels of traffic and are worth targeting.
The first step is to set a traffic filter. To do this I just click the plus sign next to SEO Traffic and enter a min traffic value.
SEOT = 80
At Noble Samurai we like to use the value 80. This will filter out any keywords that do not have the potential to deliver at least 80 visitors per day, to the number 1 ranked website in Google.
PBR = 15%
The next step is to set a Phrase to Broad match filter of 15% to filter out any misleading terms from Google.
Sort by SEOT
Finally if I click on the SEOT heading I can sort my keywords by the amount of traffic they can potentially deliver to my website.
Summary
So in this video we took a look at the second golden rule of keyword research - Traffic.
We clarified the difference between searches and traffic.
Then we examined each of the organic traffic analysis tools in Market Samurai, and finally we saw that by setting an SEO traffic filter of 80 and a PBR filter of 15 we can identify keywords that have the potential to deliver significant traffic to our website.
Search
More Keyword Research Lessons
- Introduction to Keyword Research
- Golden Rule #1: How to Find Relevant Keywords
- Golden Rule #2: How to Find High Traffic Keywords
- Golden Rule #3: How to Assess Market Competition
- Golden Rule #4: How to Assess Commerciality
- Golden Rules Case Study
- Finding Long Tail Keywords
- Understanding Match Type Data
- How to Avoid Targeting the Wrong Keywords
Great job with the videos!
One thing I think you might address in future videos is the difference between "Broad", "Phrase" and "Exact" matches. Once I learned what each one truly meant it clarified my keyword research greatly.
Example - "dog training dvd"
Broad = If you place an ad on Google using this keyword and select "Broad" match, this is the amount of traffic to expect and your ad will show up in ANY search which includes those three words in ANY order (weight TRAINING, Matrix DVD, DOG The Bounty Hunter, etc.)
Phrase = If you place an ad on Google using this keyword and select "Phrase" match, this is the amount of traffic to expect and your ad will show up in any search with those three words in that order (I want a DOG TRAINING DVD, sell DOG TRAINING DVD for profit, etc.)
Exact = If you place an ad on Google using this keyword and select "Exact" match, this is the amount of traffic to expect and your ad will show up in ANY search which includes those three word in that order and those three words ONLY (dog traing dvd).
Phrase and exact matches are much better indicators of the true traffic potential of keywords. Apply the same filters in the video, but examine traffic levels using the Phrase and Exact match settings.
If I am wrong about this, someone please let me know...loudly! Thanks.
Like always... great lesson Anthony! Keep em coming!
Thanks for this video. It's well done and very useful for those new to MS. However, stating that 80 is a good SEOT value needs some context. How does this relate to "Match Type"? I generally never pay attention to "Broad Match". Am I moving too quickly to Phrase or Exact match?
Getting to the basics. We allways need to remember them! :D
Excellent video! Thanks for creating this dojo. I really enjoy Anthony's thorough, patient style.
Great post as usual. Market Samurai is awesome. I was wondering, will any of these topics touch on competition or the 'allintitle' search? To see if a keyword or niche is over saturated and worth the trouble...
most excellent...most noble
Hi Anthony,
You are a wondeful teacher. Clear and understandable. Market Samurai is a somewhat complex program. I have been overwhelmed until now as you make it so easy. Please keep the lessons coming as frequently as possible. I need to master this tool so I can move forward.
Thank again for the great teaching.
Couldn't you find the same keywords by just setting the match type to 'exact' and only looking at terms where the monthly search rate exceeds 360?
Hey Anthony,
Great teaching. The series just gets better and better.
The thing that struck me on the dog example was that the highest ranked keyword phrase was actually a sentence. Does this mean that long tail key words are actually turning into sentences as people begin to 'talk' to Google rather than trying to search for a word in Google. Is Google becoming more like a help guide that you talk to rather than a place where you search for information. If I'm right it will make key word research more conversational and intuitive than sterile and mechanical in nature
http://www.onesherpa.com
Hi Anthony,
You are a wondeful teacher. Clear and understandable. Market Samurai is a somewhat complex program. I have been overwhelmed until now as you make it so easy. Please keep the lessons coming as frequently as possible. I need to master this tool so I can move forward.
Thank again for the great teaching.
excellent info. way better than the 30day challenge. keep it up.
Hi there, great post. The traffic a certain keyword gets is vital in your marketing. It can make or break your marketing efforts. I like to aim at a range of between 30 to 100 daily searches. I find anything above 100 tends to carry a lot of competition and is extra hard to rank for Google's first place. Thanks for the great info. Ricardo from http://WinningTheAffiliateGame.com
MORE MORE MORE! Keep 'em coming Dojo! Great content.
Great thanks - its good to get back to basics from time to time - amazing what you forget !
Sam
Great to find 'high traffic' keywords - but more looking forward to finding 'high converting' keywords as I want $$$ not necesssarily just high traffic.
Thanks for the great tutorial in MS. I have a paid version and am really enjoying teh siftware for its flexibility and time saving capabilities.
Claude from http://www.your-internet-tools.com/
My heart is filled with gratitude. I appreciate how simple you make the process. I look forward to more!
Thank you for this video. It clarifies some questions about trends and traffic.
Dave
Why do you guys keep making demos using Broad Match?
Is this how you search for a niche?
Don't you think you are misleading people?
I just love they breakdown the content in these videos.
It makes it much easier to understand
thanks
Beage
Thanks for the lesson, the SEOT description was very good. MS is really allowing us to gain a very definite commercial advantage!
Hey, this takes learning to a whole new level, as a reference source its invaluable. Markt Samurai is one of the greatest pieces of software I have ever used and I've been computing for over 20 years. Keep it coming guys !
I agree, you're a great teacher and I can't get over how much you can actually do with the software.
Thanks :D
a nice keyword & competitor tool......
Dear Dr Anthony,
I would like to thank you greatly for your unbelievable advice. Without the 30DC and yourselves at Noble Samurai, I wouldn't have a clue about keywords.
Friends and people I know who are starting web businesses have made this error time and time again. They are crucial. I have been changing my keywords almost on a weekly basis to best suit my site. I believe without Market Samurai we would have given up on our project.
Unlike doing a blog, I had an idea of creating a brand new social network for musicians and music lovers. I discovered the 30 DC a few weeks into the project when things were not going well, but now we are a week away from launching!
I want to put banners, a little testimonial, anything on my site that links back to you guys (FREE ofcourse!) because without your assistance Id be a lost soul in this big wide internet world.
www.MeLoveMusic.com is set for official launch on 23.11.2009 and I am so grateful for all the lessons you have taught.
Many thanks
Kind Regards
Steven
Great! Finally I have a clear understanding of the usefulness of SEOT. Thanks.
Thank you for the information my site Gout Relief is finally starting to get traffic!
I am very interested in the article that you write on the blog . I would come back to read your post again next time.Great job ,Thanks
Cari Uang Di Internet
how to do localize keyword analysis with the tool? Can you show us in next video?
I wish all the trainings in Internet Marketing were this good & so easy to understand. Once again Thank you :-)
Thanks for sending this at nice intervals, it allows one to experiment whilst learning, so informative and easy to follow through.
When I do keyword research, I only look at exact searches.
Attawee from http://www.pccompete.com/
Thanks a lot for the great video.
In other videos, you use the figures of SEOT: 80, PBR: 15 and SEOC: 30,000.
As detailed and specifically as possibly, please tell me: How did you arrive at the SEOC: 30,000 figure.
http://HowToUseTwitterNow.com <- Free Course!
Clyde Boom
The Easy Twitter Training Guy
This is just awesome work Anthony. Your teaching style is easy to understand and with the down-loadable pdf's as well, the value is immense. Thank you and keep them coming.
I am concerned over one point though. All searches are done on the 'broad' search counts within this example. There is some dabbling into phrase to broad % but I really believe that you can cut to the chase by going directly to 'exact' competition. This will offer you your true counts to your keywords.
I too have been overwhelmed by MS and couldn't get to grips with it, but this new training is helping me so much. Thanks very much
I must agree with couple of posts above regarding keyword match broad, phrase and exact.
For example one of my keywords has:
Broad: 559 SEOT and 45% PBR,
Phrase: 249 SEOT and 45% PBR
Exact: 4 SEOT and 45% PBR
Question to you Anthony do you think its wise to market a product in broad match (where u might get broad search hits to your site instead of phrase or exact match (as Zach in 1st post explained).
Example - "dog training dvd"
Broad = If you place an ad on Google using this keyword and select "Broad" match, this is the amount of traffic to expect and your ad will show up in ANY search which includes those three words in ANY order (weight TRAINING, Matrix DVD)
Which is something we don't want to do, as we only need to sell it to those who are actually searching for only those words "dog training dvd"
Then would it be wise to target it:
Exact only, and instead of using SEOT 80, maybe using SEOT 40?
There was much enlightening in this and the differences between searches and traffic was like a beacon on the shore. I look forward to the rest of the lessons.
Is there any data showing the percentage of click throughs to organic results when a local map is included in the results.
Thanks