Search volume

What is search volume?

Search volume is the average number of times per month a keyword is entered into a search engine, usually for a specific country and language. Tools such as Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs and Semrush give it as an estimate. Search volume does not tell you how many people will actually click through to your page.

Why is search volume important?

• Prioritising: you see which keywords have the most demand.
• Estimating opportunity: you get a rough idea of how much traffic a good position could bring.
• Low is not bad: specific keywords with little volume often deliver the best enquiries.

Examples of search volume

• “seo agency”: heavily searched and heavily contested
• “seo agency for online stores”: searched less, more specific
• “seo agency for online stores in Manchester”: low volume, but very targeted

How do you use search volume?

Use search volume to compare keywords, but also weigh search intent and competition. Search volume is an estimate, not a promise of traffic (SEO).