A recent thread in SEOChat forums asks an important question – how to estimate Google traffic by keyword? All professional SEO’s are familiar with tools like Wordtracker, Overture keyword tool and Google Adwords keyword tool. The problem is that the results provided by these tools are only rough indicators when talking about Google. Don’t get me wrong – the tools mentioned above are extremely powerful and useful IF used correctly for right purposes like keyword suggestions and CPC campaigns. However, estimating Google traffic with these tools can however be extremely misleading, even impossible if you operate in niche areas.
Most of the replies in SEOChat forums suggest various multipliers based on either size of markets behind these result providers or rough estimates based on experience. Both are IMO the wrong way to proceed and make ground for yet another false SEO myth - there is no single fixed multiplier to get the right numbers! If SEOs start putting random number ahead of actual figures, then we are creating totally fictional goals. This is very dangerous if you operate in some other language than English or target very specific industries.
For example, keyword "vuokra-asunnot" (Finnish for rental apartments) shows a count/predict value of 3 over the last 130 days in Wordtracker. Overture gives a value of 711 for last month. Yet that very same search phrase, is (and has been for a long time) in the Google Zeitgeist Finland top 10 and receives more traffic than most SEOs dream of.
So what to do when Wordtracker and other keyword tools act inaccurately or do not contain necessary information? Below are some suggestions I use on a regular basis:
1) Know your industry. Make use of marketing and financial information already available on other sources. For example, the rental apartments industry in Finland is very limited and well known in terms of size and turnover.
2) A long time ago Googleguy said: "Check out your logs to see what users are typing." I recommend the same. I study my log files on a daily basis, and each and every day I learn more and more about my industry and their interests. And yes – this information helps me to estimate and find new keywords more efficiently than any of the tools mentioned above.
3) Check out industry specific sites as well as local search engines for possible top-lists. Go to Google and try out what search "Top 50 keyword searches" on your industry/language brings up.
4) Knowing thy enemy is the first rule of practically any business. The oldest trick in the book is adapting best practises they can offer. Estimate your competitions website and find out possible keywords they aim.
5) Have you ever tried googling log file reports? A simple search phrase "Web Server Statistics for" brings up over 400,000 reports made with Analog or some other software. Limiting this search to your specific information niche should not be too hard for any professional SEO.
If you have any questions or tips on this subject, just leave comments.
Excellent suggestions. Many thanks for sharing these.
Googling industry specific log file reports .. why didn't I think of that????
:-)
the wordsfinder keywords extraction services has move to : https://www.wordsfinder.com/tools_keywords_suggestions.php
Hi I have found a good service based on overture yahoo traffic tool.
It is called wordsfinder.com and offers its service via online tools and a good API used by SKY.com and other by names.
I have used wordstracker API for one of my sites in the past and I found it quite expensive. Wordsfinder.com keywords extractor API costs £0.099 a call.
Ciao Frank
Getting access to raw logfiles can be difficult, because they are usually stored outside public html folders. You might want to try search "index of /" and filter it out to see the outcome.
Reports however are much more easier to find. Like "This report was generated by WebTrends." should provide hours of fun ;)
I have had some success in just asking webmasters to provide me with their raw logfiles. If you plan to buy links or adspace then the raw logfiles will give you valuable information. A ad on the actual landing pages are sometimes more valuable than a ad on the frontpage. The log files makes it possible to create very targeted ads for each for the important pages.
sorjova, you just gave me an idea for a new service--we as webmasters could provide logfiles, our software system would parse the data, and compile google search volume. i have a "motivation" to cause them to submit their logs, and a ieda how to reduce fraud (since some seo's would try to manipulate their data. i dont know what your line of business is, but if you are entreprenuial like myself, I would be interested in your feedback on a project like this. thanks y ~at~ mytechsupport.com
Keijo - Any recommendations on what to use for the searches at Google. I'm struggling to find the backdoors into people's log files.
Great post, BTW - I too have noticed the numbers from Wordtracker and Overture severely lacking and a multiplier isn't doing the trick - something Dr. Garcia once told me was "simplex optimization"...
Oh, and welcome to the crew! Great to have you here.