One of my favorite keyword research tools is dead. Google killed it.
I’m talking about Google’s own Google AdWords Keyword Research Tool. If you Google this tool, you’ll see that it’s No. 1 in the organic search listings for its name. However, click the link and you’ll go to a page that explains the tool has been replaced by Keyword Planner, a tool you can only use by logging into your Google AdWords account.
One of the benefits of Keyword Planner is that it gives you keyword data for all devices. That means your keyword research should be more thorough as you can see who has searched for specific keywords on laptops, desktops, mobile phones, and tablets. The Google AdWords External Keyword Research Tool only gave you data for laptops and desktops. But for every benefit, there are also drawbacks.
Some of the tools that the Keyword Research Tool had, such as a breakdown between local and global searches, are not included in the Keyword Planner.
Still, Keyword Planner has its uses. In fact, if you’re going to be doing any advertising through PPC, then it will prove to be a useful tool. The word’s still not out on whether or not it is more useful than the Keyword Research Tool.
Are you a Google AdWords advertiser? What do you think about the new Keyword Planner tool?
