How to Use Google Keyword Planner for SEO and Not Just Ads

How to Use Google Keyword Planner for SEO and Not Just Ads

When most people hear "Google Keyword Planner," they immediately think of Google Ads. While it’s true that this tool is designed for advertisers, it’s also a hidden gem for SEO professionals—especially for those aiming to rank in competitive markets like tech or local service industries. In this article, we’ll explore how to use Google Keyword Planner for SEO, not just ads, and why it's still a powerful tool for Keyword Research.

Why Use Google Keyword Planner for SEO?

Google Keyword Planner (GKP) offers direct data from Google itself—such as search volume estimates, competition level, and keyword suggestions. Unlike many third-party tools that rely on scraped data or approximations, GKP is backed by real-time Google search trends.

For SEO professionals and businesses—including any SEO company in Bangalore—this kind of data is gold for content strategy, keyword mapping, and identifying ranking opportunities.

Step-by-Step: How to Use Keyword Planner for SEO

1. Access Google Keyword Planner

You’ll need a free Google Ads account to access GKP. But don't worry—you don’t have to run ads to use it.

• Go to: ads.google.com
  
  

• Sign in and choose Tools & Settings > Keyword Planner
  
  

2. Select ‘Discover New Keywords’

This option lets you enter words or phrases related to your business to generate keyword ideas. For example, if you're an SEO company in Bangalore, type in:

• SEO services Bangalore
  
  

• digital marketing agency
  
  

• website optimization
  
  

Google will return a list of related keywords, along with:

• Avg. monthly searches
  
  

• Competition level (based on ads, but still useful)
  
  

• Bid range (great for understanding commercial intent)
  
  

3. Use Filters to Get SEO-Optimized Data

To fine-tune your SEO strategy:

• Filter by location to get keywords relevant to your local area (e.g., Bangalore)
  
  

• Sort by search volume or competition
  
  

• Use the "Keyword Text" filter to isolate long-tail or branded terms
  
  

This is especially important for Keyword Research, where Google’s algorithm values intent, context, and localization more than ever.

4. Export and Analyze Keywords

Once you have a list of potential keywords:

• Download them as a CSV
  
  

• Analyze them using a spreadsheet or upload into tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush for deeper insights
  
  

• Group keywords by theme or search intent for better content planning
  
  

Pro Tips for Using GKP as an SEO Tool

• Look at seasonal trends: Use the "Avg. monthly searches" over time graph to identify when specific terms spike.
  
  

• Use multiple seed keywords: Enter several terms at once to get a broader list of suggestions.
  
  

• Don’t rely on GKP alone: Pair it with tools like Google Search Console or AnswerThePublic for a more complete picture.
  
  

Why Keyword Research Is Different Today

Keyword research isn’t just about finding the most searched words anymore. Today, it’s about truly understanding what people are looking for and how they’re searching online.

Here’s what makes modern keyword research more advanced and meaningful:

• User Intent Matters More Than Ever
  It’s not just about the keyword itself, but the reason behind the search. Are users looking to buy, learn, or compare? Your content should match that intent.
  
  

• Search Results Are Smarter
  Google shows more than just links—there are featured snippets, "People Also Ask" sections, videos, maps, and more. Choosing keywords means thinking about how your content can appear in these rich results.
  
  

• Voice and Mobile Searches Are Rising
  More people are using phones and voice assistants to search, often with longer, more natural questions. This shifts the focus to conversational keywords.
  
  

• AI and Personalization Change the Game
  Search engines are getting better at personalizing results based on a user’s behavior, location, and preferences. This means your keywords need to be more targeted and relevant.
  
  

Using tools like Google Keyword Planner helps you stay grounded in real search data, so you’re creating content that people actually want—rather than guessing or relying too much on AI-generated fluff.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a solo blogger, in-house marketer, or running an SEO company in Bangalore, Google Keyword Planner can still be one of your most valuable tools. By understanding how to adapt it for organic search rather than just paid ads, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what your audience is searching for—and how to reach them.

Incorporate the insights from GKP into your broader content strategy and watch your organic traffic grow. Remember: great SEO starts with great keywords, and those often come from tools you already have at your fingertips.