How to Use Google Ads Keyword Planner

Want to drive more traffic to your website or improve your ad campaigns in 2026? The Google Ads Keyword Planner is still one of the most powerful free tools from Google that helps you find the best keywords for SEO and paid advertising.

Whether you’re a blogger, affiliate marketer, or advertiser, mastering the Google Ads Keyword Planner can make a huge difference in how your content ranks and how much you spend on ads.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to use Google Ads Keyword Planner in 2026 to discover profitable keywords, plan content, and grow your business.

What Is Google Ads Keyword Planner?

The Google Ads Keyword Planner is a keyword research tool inside the Google Ads platform. It helps you:

Discover keyword ideas related to your products or services
Understand search volume and competition levels
Estimate bid prices for paid ads
Plan both SEO and PPC strategies with real data

This tool is useful for:

Bloggers who want to rank higher on Google
Businesses running pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns
SEO professionals looking for content ideas
Affiliate marketers searching for profitable niches

Why You Should Use Google Ads Keyword Planner in 2026

In 2026, SEO and digital marketing are more competitive than ever. New AI-driven updates in Google’s search algorithm make it essential to choose the right keywords.

Here’s why Google Ads Keyword Planner remains a must-have tool:

✅ Accurate keyword data directly from Google
✅ Helps find long-tail keywords for niche content
✅ Ideal for AdSense and affiliate marketing strategies
✅ Free and easy to use with a Google Ads account

If your website (like LO24h.com) focuses on specific niches such as news, lottery, or trending topics, using Keyword Planner ensures you post content that matches real search intent.

How to Access Google Ads Keyword Planner

You don’t have to run ads to use this tool. Follow these quick steps:

Go to ads.google.com.
Sign in with your Google account or create one.
Click the “Tools & Settings” (wrench icon) on the top bar.
Under Planning, choose Keyword Planner.
You’ll see two main options:
- Discover new keywords
- Get search volume and forecasts

How to Use Google Ads Keyword Planner (Step-by-Step)

Let’s go step by step on how to use the Google Ads Keyword Planner effectively in 2026.

Step 1: Discover New Keywords

Click “Discover new keywords.”
Enter terms related to your topic. For example, if your website covers U.S. lottery news, you can enter:

“lottery results,” “lottery numbers,” “powerball updates.”

The tool will generate hundreds of keyword ideas with data like:

Average monthly searches
Competition level (Low, Medium, High)
Top of page bid (low and high range)

Pro Tip:
Target medium competition keywords with good search volume (1k–10k/month) to balance between ranking and cost.

Step 2: Use Filters to Refine Results

Narrow your list using filters:

Location: Choose United States or your target region.
Language: English for global audiences.
Search Network: Select Google only.

Then, sort keywords by search volume, competition, or bid value to find the most profitable opportunities.

Step 3: Analyze Keyword Metrics

When you get results, focus on three key metrics:

Average Monthly Searches – shows keyword popularity.
Competition Level – tells you how hard it is to rank or advertise.
Top of Page Bid (CPC) – reveals potential ad costs and keyword value.

If a keyword has high CPC but medium competition, it’s a strong signal for AdSense or affiliate content potential.

Step 4: Get Search Volume & Forecasts

The second option, “Get search volume and forecasts,” lets you upload a list of keywords.
You’ll see:

Expected clicks and impressions
Estimated cost and conversions (for ads)
Forecasts for the next 30 days

This is extremely helpful if you want to test multiple keyword ideas before launching an article or ad campaign.

Step 5: Export and Organize Keywords

You can export your keyword results into Google Sheets or CSV for easier analysis.
Create categories like:

“Main keywords”
“Long-tail keywords”
“High CPC keywords”

This organization helps you plan blog posts, landing pages, and ad groups efficiently.

How to Use Google Ads Keyword Planner for SEO

Even though Keyword Planner is designed for advertisers, it’s equally powerful for SEO.

Here’s how you can use it for content planning:

Identify search intent: Choose keywords that answer user questions.
Find content gaps: Spot keywords your competitors haven’t covered.
Create blog clusters: Group related keywords for interlinking posts.
Track seasonal trends: Find rising searches to plan timely posts.

Example for LO24h.com:
If “powerball results” and “mega millions results” are trending, create separate SEO posts for each and link them internally to a “US Lottery Results” main page.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When using Google Ads Keyword Planner, avoid these beginner errors:

❌ Targeting only high-search-volume keywords (too competitive).
❌ Ignoring long-tail keywords (they convert better).
❌ Skipping local filters (wastes traffic potential).
❌ Using data without analyzing CPC or intent.

The Google Ads Keyword Planner remains one of the most valuable free tools for keyword research in 2026. Whether you’re improving your SEO strategy, boosting AdSense income, or planning paid ads, this tool gives you the insights you need to succeed.

Start exploring keyword ideas today — and let the data guide your next winning article or ad campaign.

What’s your favorite strategy for finding profitable keywords?
Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below!

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FAQs About Google Ads Keyword Planner

1. Is Google Ads Keyword Planner free to use?

Yes, it’s completely free. You only need a Google Ads account — you don’t need to run paid ads to access keyword data.

2. How accurate is the Google Ads Keyword Planner in 2026?

It’s one of the most accurate keyword tools since the data comes directly from Google. However, numbers are estimates and may vary by region and device.

3. Can I use Google Ads Keyword Planner for SEO instead of ads?

Absolutely. Many SEO experts use it to discover keyword ideas, plan content, and estimate traffic potential for blog posts.

4. What’s the best way to find long-tail keywords?

Use the “Discover new keywords” option and type general terms. Sort by low competition and high relevance — you’ll find long-tail keyword gems.

5. How often should I check keyword data?

Ideally, review your keyword trends every 1–2 months. Google search behaviors change quickly, especially in competitive niches like news, finance, and entertainment.

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