How to use Google Insights for Search

Early identification of search trends during media induced/hyped events can help you discover lucrative opportunities to capitalize on  breakout keywords. Although predicting search demand is still in the works…you can effectively monitor spikes in search volume and get traffic to your site. The key is to identify emerging trends, aspiring viral articles/videos/events, and develop linkbait to suit.

So…how to make it happen?  Well, let’s explore a totally free and awesomely powerful resource to spot emerging media trends as they begin to take form.

Using Google Insights for Search Effectively

This remarkable tool enables users to actively track and target search demand for a specific keyphrase.  It also provides an opportunity to evaluate competitive demand for services and products online.  What does this mean for you? Well…for starters, Google’s handing you the data necessary to tap media hype.

In the example above, we can clearly see the rise and fall for the interest in “swine flu” within the United States. Insights for Search also shows us where the demand was strongest and provides direction as to the terminology people are using to locate information relating to “swine flu”.  For a marketer looking to take advantage of a surge in this kind of targeted traffic (perhaps you sell sterilization or flu prevention products), understanding the rise and fall of search demand is crucial.  It wouldn’t make much sense to launch a campaign after the wave has passed, and with this kind of information, you can clearly identify the entry and exit points.