How to See What Other People Search

Use search terms to observe trends in your area.

Learning what others are searching for on the Web can improve your business. There are a number of online tools that allow you to observe trends in your local area and abroad within a specific time frame. You can use a keyword tool to research a competitor's website and compare it with yours, and based on the analysis, you can incorporate relevant keyword phrases into pages of your website to get more leverage.

Instructions

Trends

1. Find words and phrases others have searched for recently at Google Zeitgeist, Yahoo! Buzz or Ask. To use Google Zeitgeist, select the "Top Buzz" tab.

2. Pick the category you want to research and customize the view by hours, days, vote or most recent.

3. Click "Go" to display trends.

Keyword Suggestion Tools

1. Research keywords people have searched for at Google Adwords, Overture or Wordtracker. To use Google Adwords, type in the website you want to research or enter the keyword you want to check.

2. Click "Advanced options" to expand. Select the vicinity you want to study.

3. Enter the CAPTCHA code and click "Search". A list of local and global searches people have used is displayed. Other search phrases that match your words are also displayed.

References

• Google Adwords: How Do I Get Additional Keyword Ideas Using Categories or Related Terms?
• Google Adwords: What New Features Does the Updated Keyword Tool Offer?
• Zeitgeist: What is Google Zeitgeist?

Resources

• Google Adwords: Find Keywords
• Yahoo! Buzz: Top Overall Searches
• Ask: Top Searches for the Week
• Wordtracker