How to Use Google Ads Keyword Planner: The Ultimate 2025 Guide for Keyword Research Success

If you’re serious about ranking your website or running profitable ad campaigns, mastering Google Ads Keyword Planner is essential. This free tool from Google helps you uncover the keywords your audience is searching for, understand competition levels, and plan content that drives clicks and conversions.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to use Google Ads Keyword Planner effectively in 2025, even if you’ve never touched it before. From setup to advanced keyword strategies, we’ll walk through everything step-by-step.

What Is Google Ads Keyword Planner?

Google Ads Keyword Planner is a free tool provided by Google that helps marketers, advertisers, and website owners discover new keyword ideas and analyze search data. It’s part of the Google Ads platform, designed primarily for paid advertising, but it’s equally valuable for SEO.

With Keyword Planner, you can:

• Find new keyword ideas related to your product or niche

• View average monthly search volumes

• Analyze keyword competition (low, medium, or high)

• Estimate bid ranges for Google Ads campaigns

• Discover seasonal keyword trends

Whether you’re planning blog content or running PPC ads, the data from Google Ads Keyword Planner helps you make smarter decisions.

Why You Should Use Google Ads Keyword Planner

Here’s why both SEO professionals and beginners rely on it:

1. Accurate Data Directly from Google – Unlike many paid tools, Keyword Planner gives you real search volume data from Google’s own database.

2. Free to Use – It’s 100% free, even if you don’t spend money on ads.

3. Powerful for SEO and PPC – You can use it to target organic keywords or plan paid search campaigns.

4. Discover Hidden Opportunities – Find long-tail keywords and related topics that competitors might overlook.

5. Location & Language Targeting – Get keyword data for specific countries, regions, or languages.

Simply put, it’s a must-have tool for every marketer who wants to grow traffic and revenue.

How to Access Google Ads Keyword Planner

You don’t need an active ad campaign to use Keyword Planner. Here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Create a Google Ads Account

• Go to ads.google.com.

• Click on “Start Now.”

• Sign in with your Google account.

If Google prompts you to create a campaign, choose “Switch to Expert Mode” and then “Create an account without a campaign.”

Step 2: Access Keyword Planner

Once your account is ready:

• Click the Tools & Settings icon (the wrench symbol).

• Under Planning, choose Keyword Planner.

• You’ll see two options:

  1. Discover new keywords

  2. Get search volume and forecasts

How to Use Google Ads Keyword Planner Step by Step

Let’s go through both options in detail.

1. Discover New Keywords

This feature helps you find keyword ideas related to your product, service, or website.

Steps:

1. Select “Discover new keywords.”

2. Enter words, phrases, or your website URL.

3. Choose your target location, language, and search network (Google only or Google + partners).

4. Click “Get results.”

You’ll see a list of keyword ideas, including:

• Average monthly searches

• Competition level (Low, Medium, High)

• Top of page bid (low and high range)

Tip: Filter results by competition or search volume to focus on the best opportunities.

2. Get Search Volume and Forecasts

If you already have a list of keywords, this option lets you check their search volumes and future performance.

Steps:

1. Choose “Get search volume and forecasts.”

2. Paste or upload your list of keywords.

3. Keyword Planner will show estimated metrics such as:

   • Monthly searches

   • Clicks and impressions forecast

   • Estimated cost (for PPC users)

You can then download the data as a .CSV file for further analysis.

Key Metrics to Understand in Google Ads Keyword Planner

When analyzing keyword data, pay attention to these key metrics:

1. Average Monthly Searches

Shows how often people search for that keyword per month.

• High volume: Great for traffic potential

• Low volume: Often easier to rank (ideal for long-tail keywords)

2. Competition

Indicates how many advertisers are bidding on that keyword.

• Low: Easier to compete organically and in ads

• High: More competitive (but often more profitable)

3. Top of Page Bid (Low/High Range)

This is the estimated cost advertisers pay for a click.

• High bids mean strong commercial intent.

• Use this to identify profitable SEO keywords even if you’re not running ads.

4. Keyword Trends

View how searches change over time (monthly or seasonally).
Helps you plan content calendars or ad campaigns around peak search periods.

Using Google Ads Keyword Planner for SEO

You don’t have to spend money on ads to get SEO value. Here’s how to use the data effectively:

1. Find Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords (3+ words) are easier to rank for and often more targeted.
Example: Instead of “keyword planner,” use “how to use Google Ads keyword planner for SEO.”

2. Analyze Search Intent

Look at the keyword type to understand what the user wants:

• Informational: “how to use keyword planner”

• Transactional: “buy SEO tools online”

• Navigational: “Google Ads login”

Create content that matches the user’s intent to improve click-through rates.

3. Create Keyword Clusters

Group related keywords into clusters for better SEO structure.
Example:

• google ads keyword planner tutorial

• keyword planner for SEO

• keyword planner tips and tricks

You can target these in one comprehensive blog post (like this one).

4. Prioritize by CPC and Volume

Keywords with a high CPC (cost per click) usually mean strong commercial intent — advertisers are willing to pay more.
Combine medium volume and high CPC keywords for the best ROI in SEO content.

Using Google Ads Keyword Planner for PPC

If you’re running paid campaigns, Keyword Planner helps you:

1. Estimate Costs Before Spending – Get a sense of how much your target keywords may cost.

2. Target the Right Audience – Focus on keywords with the highest ROI in your niche.

3. Avoid Wasted Ad Spend – Filter out irrelevant keywords or negative keywords.

4. Plan Campaign Budgets – Use forecasts to plan your ad spend and conversion goals.

Example:
If “buy gaming laptop online” shows a high CPC and competition, you may target “best budget gaming laptop” instead for a better cost-to-return ratio.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Google Ads Keyword Planner

1. Use Filters Wisely

Refine keyword results by:

• Location

• Language

• Competition level

• Average monthly searches

• Top of page bid range

2. Combine with Other Tools

Use tools like Google Trends, Ahrefs, or SEMrush alongside Keyword Planner for deeper insights.

3. Export and Compare Data

Download keyword lists and compare metrics like CPC, competition, and trend lines in spreadsheets for smarter planning.

4. Check Seasonal Trends

Before launching campaigns, see which months have high keyword search peaks. For instance, “Black Friday deals” spikes in November.

5. Look for Question Keywords

Include queries like “how,” “what,” or “why” in your keyword searches — they’re perfect for blog posts and voice search optimization.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Google Ads Keyword Planner

Even experienced marketers make these errors:

1. Ignoring Search Intent – Don’t chase high-volume keywords if they don’t match your audience’s goals.

2. Focusing Only on High Volume – Sometimes smaller, niche keywords bring better conversions.

3. Neglecting Location Settings – Always set your target region for more accurate data.

4. Not Grouping Keywords – Mixing unrelated keywords weakens both your SEO and ad performance.

5. Skipping Regular Updates – Keyword trends change over time; recheck your data every few months.

Example: Keyword Research Workflow Using Google Ads Keyword Planner

Here’s a quick example of how a digital marketer might use it step by step:

1. Enter Seed Keyword: “Affiliate marketing”

2. Get Results: 1,000+ keyword ideas appear.

3. Filter by Location: United States.

4. Sort by CPC and Competition: Find low-competition but high-intent keywords like “affiliate marketing for beginners.”

5. Export Data: Save your keyword list.

6. Create SEO Content: Write a blog post targeting “how to start affiliate marketing for beginners.”

Result: You attract organic traffic and potential buyers with a single, data-driven post.

Alternative Tools to Google Ads Keyword Planner

While Keyword Planner is free, here are some other tools that can complement your research:

• Ubersuggest – Simple and beginner-friendly keyword insights.

• Ahrefs Keywords Explorer – Deep backlink and difficulty analysis.

• SEMrush – Excellent for competitor keyword research.

• Google Trends – Perfect for tracking seasonal keyword changes.

• AnswerThePublic – Great for finding question-based keywords.

Use Keyword Planner as your foundation, and combine insights from these tools for a well-rounded strategy.

Key Takeaways