Search Volume: Meaning & Importance For SEO

Search volume is, for many, the core pillar of SEO. It’s a metric that basically reveals what online users are most curious about.

By keeping an eye on keyword search volumes, digital marketers can:

• Fine-tune their content to match audience interests
• Prioritize their best keywords
• Outsmart the competition
• Understand a website’s capabilities
• Keep up with search trends and use them in smart ways to boost a website's visibility.

That said, let’s take a closer look at how you can use search volume data to stay ahead in the ever-evolving SEO landscape.

What Is Search Volume?

Search volume is the number of times people search for a specific query in search engines (or other online media) in a given timeframe. This data is crucial for online marketers to identify user intent and create targeted content for their content marketing strategy, their Google Ads, and their SEO initiatives.

What Is Search Volume In SEO?

Search volume is the average number of times a specific keyword (or query) is searched for over a given period, usually a month. This key metric indicates user interest and market demand. It also shows how to best use SEO keywords to increase a website’s visibility and strengthen its topical authority.

A high search volume suggests a large number of people are searching for that term. Conversely, a low search volume indicates lower interest.

No matter what, analyzing keyword search volume is the foundation of any successful SEO strategy.

And here’s why.

Why Is Monitoring Search Volume Important For SEO?

Search volume plays a crucial role in keyword research, providing valuable insights that guide the selection, prioritization, and use of keywords for website optimization and content creation.

For SEO strategists, deciphering keyword search volumes is, in fact, the best -and often the only- way to decide on:

Which Keywords Are Best To Target In The Next Couple Of Months?

Depending on a website’s rankings and ROI, SEOs need to dig deep into search queries and search volumes to find the best keywords to target for the coming period.

Not all keywords are created equal! But data analysis, coupled with experience and clear marketing goals, helps you identify the perfect set of keywords for your pages and blog posts.

The Sweet Spot Between High Difficulty And Low Volume Keywords

Everyone wants to see their pages ranking for popular keywords!

Such keywords receive thousands of queries per month - but they’re also targeted by thousands of competitors.

On the flip side, using keywords with low search volume will probably show your pages to just a few tens of monthly users.

So, what’s the sweet spot here?

Well, there’s no set recipe for success. There are, however, some general recommendations.

Start Low

As a rule of thumb, if your website is low on rankings, start by targeting low search volume / low difficulty keywords to get it going.

Move To The Mid-Range With Caution

Once a good number of your pages rank in the top 10, you can optimize your website for mid-search volume / mid-difficulty queries. Start targeting just a few ‘mid-range keywords’ every month and monitor results carefully before moving on.

Target The High-End On A Solid Foundation

Well, high-volume keywords are a bit tricky in SEO. Undoubtedly, you will have to target popular queries at some point! The key here is timing.

When your website has attained high visibility and expanded topical authority for your niche, you can start optimizing it for a couple of high-volume keywords at a time.

Tips To Rank For High-Volume Keywords Until Your SEO Kicks In

SEO takes time. So, until your organic efforts level up, you can choose a different way to market your pages for high search volume / high-difficulty keywords:

PPC Ads

This is a rather expensive option, especially for hyper-competitive keywords. However, it’s always worth checking their ROI potential to decide if it makes sense.

Different Online Channels

Consider different ways to enhance your online presence for your most coveted high-volume keywords: social posts, YouTube videos, Q&A channels, or any online media, actually, free or paid.

Use Them, But Do Not Target Them Just Yet

Include your high vol keywords in your website and other content from day one. Just do not waste time and resources targeting them passionately - if your website is not ripe enough just yet.

→ Tip: What are the ideal keywords? The best keywords to target first are low KD keywords with high search volume. And yes, such opportunities do exist. All you have to do is find them.

Catch Niche Opportunities And Rising Trends On Time

Here are some more things to consider on search volume for SEO.

Analyzing search volume for less popular or long-tail keywords can uncover niche opportunities.

Long-tails may have a much lower search volume. However, targeting a collection of them can attract a significant amount of traffic.

Search volumes are not static - they fluctuate with seasonality, current events, and user interests. When you closely monitor search volume surges, you can optimize them way before others do!

Conversely, when you spot declining trends, always check and adjust your content to satisfy changing user intent.

Wrapping up: To use search volume metrics to your SEO advantage, you must monitor, evaluate, and adjust - non-stop.

Ready To Take Your SEO To The Next Level?

At Atropos Digital SEO Agency, we shape your website’s strategy based on metrics that matter. Plus, you get top-tier content suggestions and implementations that’ll grow your presence to reach potential customers worldwide.

Our in-house team has dedicated SEO experts, developers, and copywriters - promising technically sound websites, upward rankings, captivating content, and maximum ROI.

Impressed? Well, that’s just part of the SEO advantages you’ll get when partnering with Atropos Digital. Go on, then. Give us a call today.

More FAQs On Search Volume

Here are some of the things our SEO customers ask.

What Is A Good Keyword Search Volume?

There is no set number here. If you are just beginning your SEO journey, choose keywords with moderate search volume - around 500-1,000 searches per month. They are often a good starting point, offering decent traffic potential without being overly competitive.

How Is Search Volume Calculated?

To calculate search volume, you must estimate the number of times a specific keyword is searched for over a given period. Search volume is not an exact figure but rather an estimate based on available data and algorithms. Different SEO tools use different methodologies and data sources, leading to potential discrepancies in their search volume figures.

What Is The Difference Between SEO Volume And Traffic?

SEO volume refers to keyword search volume, an estimate of monthly searches for a specific term. Traffic, on the other hand, is the actual number of visitors a website receives. Search volume helps estimate potential traffic, but actual traffic depends on various factors like ranking and content quality.