How to Use Adwords Effectively - Blogging Tips Weekly

In past "blogging tips," I expressed the importance of using keywords for seo. I also showed you how to add meta tags and meta descriptions for both your blog (see here), and your individual post (see here).

To use keywords for seo, you need to find the right keywords to use. One way to do this is by using Adwords, a free seo keyword research tool by Google. 

Today, let's learn how to use Adwords effectively, so you get the most out of one of the most powerful seo keyword suggestion tools. 

Step 1: Write Really Good Content

Your writing counts. More than the technology you use. More than the pretty pictures you post. (Although beauty and fashion blogs have amazing photos.) What you write is what search engines care about the most. So write well, and provide substance.

Step 2: Find SEO Keywords for Your Content

With your content, identify seo keywords. Make sure they are related to your post's subject.

For example, if my post is an eye makeup tutorial for Asian women, then my seo keywords might include "eye makeup tutorial."

Step 3: Log into Adwords SEO Keyword Research Tool

Go to this address https://adwords.google.com and log in with your Google account if you haven't yet.

Step 4: Go to Keyword Tool

Click on "Tools and Analysis" tab > Drop down shows up > Click on "Keyword Tool"

Step 5: Filter Keywords

Filter 1: Match Type

On the left side, under "Match Type", click on "[Exact]"

What each Google keyword tool match type means:

Broad:

If you select "broad," the search volume returned involves the keyword you searched for, but isn't exact.

For example, search volume for "eye makeup tutorial" might include volume for other words like "best eye makeup tutorial," "eye makeup tutorial books" or "eye shadow and makeup tutorial."

The numbers returned are large and inaccurate.

"Phrase": 

If you select "Phrase," the search volume returned includes words with the exact phrase, and other words.

An example for "eye makeup tutorial" might have "eye makeup tutorial for women" or "best eye makeup tutorial."

The words won't be broken up, but still might return undesirable results.

[Exact]:

This is the most accurate selection -- and one I suggest. Results match exactly your search keywords.

Step 6: Enter Keywords. Click Search

Step 7: Interpret Results.

This is what your search results looks like for your seo keyword:

There are three columns to interprete: Competition, Global Monthly Searches, and Local Monthly Searches

"Global Monthly Searches" represents the average times your keywords were searched globally in the past 12 months.

"Local Monthly Searches" represents the average times your keywords were searched in the United States in the past 12 months.

"Competition" in Adwords Keyword Tool does NOT mean how competitive the keywords are to other websites and blogs. (You look at global and monthly search volume for that.) 

Competition actually means how willing companies are likely to pay for that keyword. So "high" is good.

As you can see, there were a lot of searches, and competition is medium, for "eye makeup tutorial." This means that "eye makeup tutorial" isn't desirable for use.

Step 8: Change SEO Keywords

Even though "eye makeup tutorial" did not work out, you can always update it. In this case, I updated it to "Makeup for Women of Color."

Results look much more promising:

 

Use Suggested Keywords

To get the keywords you want, you can also use Adwords Keyword Tool's "Keyword Ideas." It appears below keyword results. 

Step 9: Optimize

Now that you know which keywords you want to use, add them to your title, meta tags, meta description, and content.

For example, the title of my fictitious post would be "Makeup for Women of Color - an Eye Makeup Tutorial for Asian Women"

 Wow. I am finally done with this post.

Do you have any suggestions on how to use Adwords effectively?