Google Insights for Search
August 6th, 2008 by AnnaKnowing market conditions and trends is vital to your success, especially in the real estate industry. One of the most important metrics I’ve seen neglected is internet trends. Are you paying attention to what the general public wants to know when it comes to obtaining Real Estate information online? Is your website providing the kind of information that people in your area are searching for?
Although we may not have all of the answers, Google has certainly provided us with a stepping stone in the form of the brand new resource they have created: Google Insights. This program is available to the general public and does not require you to have a Google Account. This is a wonderful way to gain insight into what people are searching for.
With Google Insights for Search, you can compare search volume patterns across specific regions, categories, and time frames.
That is the basic description from the Google Insights main page. However, there is a lot more you can do with this program. Of course, it’s not just what the program can do it’s what you have to gain by the information provided that is most important.
For example, I compared 2 major search terms over the last 12 months: realtors, and foreclosure. I was able to see how the terms compared to each other in terms of volume, region, and also as related to top news stories.
Comparison of the 2 terms:
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Looking at this comparison, you can see how search trends for the 2 terms began to coincide in November and December 2007. You can also see the spike for searches for “foreclosure” in January 2008.
Comparison of 2 terms choosing the “Show” option for News headlines.
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It seems that the news headlines show for the last 90 days or so, however, it is still helpful to match the current trends with current news.
You can view search volume by region for each term.
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You can also view regional interest by city. You may or may not be surprised where the majority of people searching your main keywords are. You can use the data to further validate your current efforts or to suggest a change in your game plan. Check out my other comparison of major city real estate terms - change this to use your own keywords, what does the data suggest?
Audrey and I have already found this to be helpful for suggesting pay-per-click strategies, and organic SEO keyword targets. I wouldn’t suggest “fixing” something that isn’t broken - data is just data, and your success may go against the grain. As with any resource, use this as a supplemental tool, not a strict guide.
Please let us know what you think of Google Insights!
Another great way that you can use this tool is to determine international interest in your area. I had a client who wanted to market to international users. I used the worldwide search and was able to determine that people in Canada are actually searching for his area.
If you’re looking to get a piece of the international market this might be a great place to start your journey.
Mike Wilton
August 8th, 2008
[...] reading Advanced Acess’ full writeup of Google Insights (click the link to learn what Insights is), I played with the new Google tool myself. I can see [...]
Google Insights- Insanely Cool Tool You *NEED* | agentgenius.com- national real estate opinion column
August 11th, 2008
This is a fantastic tool..I particularly value the “Rising Searches” feature. After all of the work I have put into my website and SEO, I have had my eyes opened by this tool…thanks.
Amy Webb
August 12th, 2008
I’m always amazed at the search terms that people use. I think this tool will prove to be invaluable. Thanks
Janice Bovee
August 17th, 2008