How do you guys find the real search volume for a given keyword/phrase?
I'm finding different tools give vastly different numbers.
I don't want to pick a low volume search term.

Thanks!

i don't think there is one thats 100% accurate but since i target traffic from google i stick to the information that googles adwords tool gives out

The most accurate tool is the google external keyword tool, just make sure you set it to exact match instead of broad match.

I have to agree that googles tool seems most accurate.
You can tell how many views a keyword gets by simply running some unappealing ad on google for a day, then track the impressions. Just make sure you make the cpc high enough for the ad to show

Originally Posted by theartfuldodger

no. the most accurate way is to create bogus adwords ads and count the page impressions. in this case, you don't want the person to click on your ad because that will cost you money. all you are interested in is the adwords stats that show how many times your keyword resulted in a page impression. so don't make your ad very appealing.

let it run a day or two and you'll know which keywords are actually being searched on CURRENTLY.

This!

The google keyword tool is notorious for being horribly wrong!

Originally Posted by paper_chase

This!

The google keyword tool is notorious for being horribly wrong!

Artful is correct, even running your ad at a 'peak' time gives you a rough estimate..One of my domains is ranked #1 on G for a two word keyword - the adwords keyword tool says it gets 1.3 mil monthly US searches & I get 1-5 visitors a day from this keyword XD

Originally Posted by Geetfaux

Artful is correct, even running your ad at a 'peak' time gives you a rough estimate..One of my domains is ranked #1 on G for a two word keyword - the adwords keyword tool says it gets 1.3 mil monthly US searches & I get 1-5 visitors a day from this keyword XD

Did you choose broad or exact match? Broad results are accurate, but they are results for your keyword + all sorts of modifiers, the exact keyword might actually get no searches.

Originally Posted by wakkaoaka

Did you choose broad or exact match? Broad results are accurate, but they are results for your keyword + all sorts of modifiers, the exact keyword might actually get no searches.

Yes exact match - its just one of those keywords, most are semi-accurate but some are way off the mark.

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