What is Search Volume?

Search volume tells you how many times per month people search for a specific keyword on Google. It's one of the most important metrics for deciding which topics to write about.

Most SEO tools show monthly average search volume based on data from the past 12 months. A keyword with 1,000 monthly searches means roughly 1,000 people type that exact phrase into Google each month.

Why search volume matters

There's no point ranking #1 for a keyword nobody searches for. Search volume helps you prioritize topics that will actually drive organic traffic to your blog.

But high search volume doesn't automatically mean you should target that keyword. You also need to consider keyword difficulty and search intent. A keyword with 10,000 monthly searches won't help you if it's impossible to rank for or if searchers want something different than what you're offering.

How to Use It

Look for keywords with enough search volume to be worth your time, but not so much competition that you can't rank. For most blogs, keywords with 100-1,000 monthly searches are the sweet spot.

Don't dismiss keywords with lower search volume if they're highly relevant to your audience. A keyword with 50 monthly searches and high conversion intent can be more valuable than a keyword with 5,000 searches and no commercial intent.

Long-tail keywords typically have lower search volume but are easier to rank for and often attract more qualified readers.