Research Google Ads Keywords

Step-by-step

1. Open Google Ads Keyword Planner (Tools > Planning > Keyword Planner).
2. Start with 'Discover new keywords': enter 3-5 seed terms related to your product (e.g., 'CRM software', 'sales automation', 'cold email tool').
3. Review keyword suggestions: look at search volume, competition level, and suggested bid.
4. Focus on high-intent keywords: terms with buying intent ('best CRM for startups', 'cold email software pricing') convert better than informational queries ('what is CRM').
5. Organize keywords into themes: group related keywords into ad groups (e.g., 'CRM features', 'CRM pricing', 'CRM vs competitors').
6. Add negative keywords: exclude terms that attract irrelevant traffic (e.g., 'free', 'jobs', 'internship', 'tutorial').
7. Use keyword match types strategically: Exact Match for proven converters, Phrase Match for discovery, Broad Match only with smart bidding.
8. Check competitor keywords: search for your competitors' names and see what ads they're running. Consider bidding on competitor terms if allowed.
9. Estimate costs: use Keyword Planner's forecast tool to estimate clicks, impressions, and cost for your keyword list at different budgets.
10. Build your final keyword list: aim for 10-20 keywords per ad group, prioritized by intent and search volume.