How reliable is the Google Traffic Estimator

[runaustin]

This can't be true. Just finished setting up a new site and one of it's major pages focuses on "Austin Foreclosure Homes". I didn't know google offered a traffic estimator until I finished the site, you'll soon see why this is a funny part of the story Checking traffic I see that "Austin Foreclosure Homes" gets 720 hits global per month & "Austin Foreclosures" gets 165,000 monthly Better to find out late than never. But seriously, doesn't that seem a bit off, 720 versus 165,000. And the more phrases I check on the more crazy stuff I find. Has anyone else questioned the google traffic estimator or should I shut up and just listen to google?

[abcharlton]

Are you talking about the keyword tool? It's fairly useful if you set the keyword matching to "exact." When it's set to broad match it tends to lump all keyword queries into categories and gives some unexpected/inconsistent results.

[runaustin]

I'm talking about this google tool:
https://adwords.google.co.uk/select/KeywordToolExternal
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thx

[abcharlton]

Yeah, set the match type to "exact" and it works pretty well. I know there are other tools out there that do the same thing, but I use this one, and it seems to work fine to me.

[runaustin]

I don't see an "exact" setting? Not sure what you meant.

Perhaps 'this' is a different Google Tool. Here is the link again:

https://adwords.google.co.uk/select/KeywordToolExternal

[NealRM]

I'm not sure how "Exact" the number are - but I would expect the results to be in the correct ballpark.

As for your specific example. "Austin Foreclosure Homes" does not seem to be to be an nature search phrase. I believe that more people would use the shorter "Austin Foreclosures" phrase.

[ogden34]

I didn't try it myself checking the actual traffic in my site. I do have three sites and my new site is just a month old but when i checked certain keywords on it. In my surprise it is already in the top ten of the SERP's, why? because I haven't do anything to optimize that page and still it's rank by the google in top ten. How nice it is!

[abcharlton]

I don't see an "exact" setting? Not sure what you meant.

Perhaps 'this' is a different Google Tool. Here is the link again:

https://adwords.google.co.uk/select/KeywordToolExternal

Yeah, we're talking about the same tool. Match type is the last column on the right. Set the column header to "exact match" and you may get some more accurate results.

[Lewi]

If you want a great tool go to "Google Insights" you'll be amazed, I was!

[nitsujri]

@abcharlton - wow I learned something new about the 'exact' results. thanks for that.

@lewi - nice tool. the results are a bit hard for me to fully grasp since they're relative numbers to all searches ever performed and the volume is a bit too low.

one thing that we've learned is never trust the KWT (key word tool). it's a good starting point, but if you want true data, go out and get it yourself. pay for different exact key terms and see which ones monetize and where the traffic is coming from.