How to Use Google’s Keyword Forecast Tool for Predictive Keyword Research

Predictive keyword research is taking over the traditional keyword research process. And for good reasons! It allows you to forecast trends, get ahead of your competitors, and simply be more prepared for what’s to come.

With hundreds of keyword tools available on the market, it can be tough to determine which is best for your needs. But if you’re looking for a keyword tool that offers predictive keyword research capabilities, look no further than Google’s Ads Keyword Planner.

The keyword planner forecast tool allows you to get search volume and forecasts for keyword ideas or phrases that you enter. However, many businesses are still unaware of the hidden opportunities that this tool can offer and how to use it for predictive keyword research.

Predictive keyword research can help you stay ahead of the curve by identifying keyword trends before they happen. This allows you to be better prepared for what’s to come and optimize your campaigns accordingly.

Before we get into how to use the keyword planner forecast tool for predictive keyword research. It is important to note that although the tool is a free resource, you can use it to conduct keyword research, generate keyword ideas and help you with your PPC strategy. You do need a Google AdWords account to use it. Your account will require billing information, but you will never need to run a campaign or make a purchase to use the keyword planner tool.

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s get into how you can use Google’s keyword planner forecast tool for predictive keyword research.

Why Use the Forecast Tool and How?

The keyword planner forecast tool is a great resource for predictive keyword research because it can help you figure out how your keywords will perform in optimal settings. This is valuable information that can help inform other future efforts or initiatives, as well as benefitting other channels like SEO.

The forecast tool can help you understand:

  • How changing your maximum cost per click (CPC) or bidding strategy can impact keyword performance and reach.
  • What the estimated effects of keyword changes will be?
  • How keyword groups or individual keywords perform.
  • What the estimated effects of keyword changes will be for specific match types?

For example, you can use the keyword planner forecast tool to determine if it is worth changing your match type from broad match to phrase match.

Since your forecast has a date range that can be changed, you can also use the keyword planner forecast tool to compare keyword performance in different time frames. This is valuable information that can help you understand seasonal trends or keyword fluctuations over time.

keyword planner forecast

How to Use Google Ads Keyword Planner for Predictive Keyword Research?

Once you’re logged in to your Google AdWords account, go to ‘Tools and Analysis,’ and then select ‘Keyword Planner.’ There you’ll have two tabs, namely:

  1. Discover new keywords
  2. Get search volume and forecasts

We’ll discuss both these tabs and how they can be used for predictive keyword research.

1. Get Search Volume And forecasts (Forecast)

The tool offers two ways to get keyword ideas and volume estimates:

  • You can enter an individual keyword or a group of keywords that are separated by commas or line breaks.
  • You can also upload a spreadsheet file to transport keywords into the forecasting tool quickly.

The upload feature is a great way to quickly get keyword ideas and volume estimates for a large group of keywords.

Once you have your keyword list, click on ‘Get Started.’ On the next page, you’ll be able to navigate through a few tabs on the left-hand side. The three tabs are named as follows:

  • Forecasts
  • Saved keyword lists
  • Negative keyword lists