{"id":501,"date":"2022-03-23T20:45:34","date_gmt":"2022-03-23T20:45:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.lowfruits.io\/?p=501"},"modified":"2022-03-23T20:45:34","modified_gmt":"2022-03-23T20:45:34","slug":"where-do-keyword-tools-get-their-search-volume-data","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lowfruits.io\/blog\/where-do-keyword-tools-get-their-search-volume-data\/","title":{"rendered":"Where Do Keyword Tools Get Their Search Volume Data?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Will you target a keyword or not? How fierce is your competition? And if you create content, will it show up on the first page?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Search volume data affects your SEO. It\u2019s in every keyword tool. And yet, we rarely ask: <strong>where does it come from?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, I\u2019ll show you where keyword tools get their search volume data and what their data sources mean for your traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s dive in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Top Three Sources for Search Volume Data<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Search volume data comes from various sources. You may have noticed that different tools show you different search volume results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Typically, keyword tools source their search volume data from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The Google API<\/li><li>Third-party services (typically clickstream data)<\/li><li>Their own models and algorithms<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Each of these has its pros and cons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Search Volume Data from the Official Google Ads API<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/developers.google.com\/adwords\/api\/docs\/guides\/targeting-idea-service\">Google Ads API<\/a> is exactly what it says on the tin: an API that pulls data from Google Ads Keyword Planner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Is Google Ads Search Volume Data Accurate?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Not entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Google Ads API favors PPC data<\/strong>. You\u2019ll often see <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.lowfruits.io\/the-power-of-zero-search-volume-keywords\">zero search volume for keywords<\/a> that <em>do <\/em>get traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/AKHLdu0e2PnyhxFO0Vo5xKjnZtC08F_oj7oqfdE3MBE6W1QJE_Nea1jVdrLownuH2GMFZxrLEeoaUb-6wpAiTr5_62Fk9WzYDpjad7pDtv0Q3PZ1en4w5a15Blj4OFvbPXbmuxuj\" alt=\"\" width=\"331\" height=\"233\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Secondly, Google API <strong>groups close variants together.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019ll show differently spelled or similar searches as the same keyword, even though they could be terms you target with different content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, Google API will combine all the following searches into one:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>SEO<\/li><li>Search engine optimization<\/li><li>Search engine optimisation<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Since it groups them together, the individual search volume data isn\u2019t accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Clickstream Data and Search Volume<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The second option for getting search volume data is the click path or clickstream data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Is Clickstream Data?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/computer-science\/clickstream-data\">Clickstream data<\/a> tracks how visitors navigate websites, what actions they take, where they come from, how long they dwell on pages, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In short: <strong>clickstream tracks the entire customer journey via hyperlinks and cookies.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, it uses the data to establish a more accurate search volume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/6Lj1tph7L7hin_TqxfzZl_038997tmPu1iZWIgbPecnBhVy3hrgjiaxpHBvVJ9JKXtIyhg3pJSIJmARbKvFYw9LCUivLJ9Yw2ZLgzbdqIRygnG_fm3TWyd0PCeIBWepzxSv3vwuZ\" alt=\"How does clickstream data work\" width=\"529\" height=\"397\"\/><figcaption>Clickstream data tracks <em>the stream<\/em> of users' <em>clicks<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Is Clickstream Data Accurate?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s more reliable than others, but it\u2019s not 100% accurate (none of the sources are).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first reason for the accuracy is the click path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Clickstream looks at <strong>the visitor\u2019s behavior<\/strong> as they navigate from one site to the next, paying attention to everything they do. Thanks to cookies, all that data is stored and anonymized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the most valuable <a href=\"https:\/\/larryludwig.com\/clickstream-data-explained\/\">clickstream data comes from Google\u2019s Search Engine Results Pages<\/a>. Browsers \u201cspy\u201d on users as they use the internet every day, making the data on click-through rates and traffic estimations more accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Secondly, it\u2019s much easier to <strong>filter out spam traffic<\/strong> with clickstream data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It quickly identifies unnatural search behavior caused by bots and removes their visits from the search volume data you see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.lowfruits.io\/where-do-keyword-tools-get-their-search-volume-data#comments\">Is this article helpful? Rate it or share your feedback below!<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Combined Search Volume Data Models<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most keyword tools mix and match different sources to create their own algorithms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, some also ask for your Google Search Console data to make the results more relevant to your website and adjust traffic expectations.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, it pays to be careful. Getting access to your GSC means they can easily &#8220;borrow&#8221; search data from you (and show it to your competitors).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Where Do Keyword Tools Source Their Search Volume Data?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Where Does Ahrefs Get Search Volume Data?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/Mj_xRu6bPsXgGxuhmXBRzCoQlniO091grQikIytzi5Wf0yNz5kQFZVR-URpJvbmpnFhNGGlaxFce-WBBuXQOaPQE7TBz48le4eiXKjbIehfjmcGCbXU-KlEAkiSFcpI7UcAJAE5M\" alt=\"\" width=\"327\" height=\"219\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As one of the most robust SEO tools, Ahrefs has a powerful search volume strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They receive <strong>historical clickstream data<\/strong> from third-party providers. Then, they <strong>pair it with Google Ads API data<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The clickstream data allows them to un-group close variants of keywords and display more accurate traffic volume for each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ahrefs will also ask you to connect it to <strong>Google Search Console<\/strong> so it can display data tailored to your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>As I said above, connecting your GSC to a keyword tool can be problematic.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While you will get better results, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skipblast.com\/ahrefs-webmaster-tools\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">these tools may use your traffic data for key<\/a>word analyses shown to your competitors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So if you're onto a good niche and you're finding low-competition keywords, avoid sharing your data with third-party tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Where Does Semrush Get Search Volume Data?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/I1JMG4i3pIT04X_5zMPDlHCkR8I4uXphK5eLyQi8Y7rnYpZJVBxKU-RUOb_8zpmUkhBFY180CtCoxK8_jhgJTEdwGqyp9NY4oDvfGaFx3ihEzd_JLW6CbTl7plOr4n_dm9W0Q74t\" alt=\"\" width=\"362\" height=\"164\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Officially,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.semrush.com\/kb\/998-where-does-semrush-data-come-from\"> Semrush<\/a> uses machine learning to provide search volume data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In reality, they get <strong>clickstream data<\/strong> and run it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.semrush.com\/kb\/998-where-does-semrush-data-come-from\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">through their own <strong>algorithms<\/strong><\/a><strong> <\/strong>that estimate click-through rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their search volume data is based on organic and paid results, so it\u2019s more accurate than Google\u2019s API.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Where Does Ubersuggest Get Search Volume Data?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/Ilz7L5nVpz2IlmDDjoVEAXiQo1F-8eKKQ2pOfJBgBfIAQocm41gCWWI9dcIkE6-hYHRyVENJcdFYnB92Zz0JWbk3Wvhg1ALbrd1p2Uh-CD8A7BWyF5LhoK-N6qaHGxmaz8c7mAeU\" alt=\"\" width=\"395\" height=\"223\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Neil Patel\u2019s<a href=\"https:\/\/neilpatel.com\/ubersuggest\/\"> Ubersuggest<\/a> is one of the most straightforward keyword tools, but your data won\u2019t be 100% accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ubersuggest <strong>only uses Goog<\/strong>le\u2019s API to get search volume data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You won\u2019t see close variants separately, and the traffic might be biased because of Google Keyword Planner\u2019s PPC-first nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Where Does Moz Get Search Volume Data?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/SVy0SxfSG6du750v65obkjtHWYbuTrCu8g16nA6JG_YREBIRGooYHWmqoNsb-6DSauFCXd9U7ufXecgMHgwxAstgJJptg8dl5xcZlgYqWHCB6tixDg6tQsIDLQ46BVII8qjr0KmY\" alt=\"\" width=\"391\" height=\"205\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/moz.com\/community\/q\/topic\/63031\/where-does-seomoz-pull-it-s-keyword-data-from\/2\">Moz Pro uses its own and third-party data<\/a> like clickstream to estimate search volume for keywords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keyword Explorer suggestions are based on Moz\u2019s own keyword database.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Where Does LowFruits Get Search Volume Data?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>LowFruits uses Google Ads API data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/ztTXlWkCv2JVgK_JzC7XrkbAt3oCy5HxkVWm0UWcPPZL2ttBLv1lteRzRlkC61F1ZMU6tbEat8sSpYXPSTXA-H4gnszppJCA8vxurodzL1qkIJHT6H8Jz3Er9DIbTw0OUqEMrpXf\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.lowfruits.io\/the-power-of-zero-search-volume-keywords\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Learn more about zero search volume keywords in our guide.<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you add your websites to LowFruits, we\u2019ll also check if you\u2019re already ranking for the keywords you want to target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/ulhvwG0RQy40TyEHQgSpWMlF22IqPvCv_1WSjPpq31Bc0PPydNfVfIBCty7GqXh-mGzL28UIWzS8o5HgW58CmftLMP3r09mIIpMhEl0fZByEclzpZtIeLXopQLngL47WoTfQzc9Z\" alt=\"\" width=\"463\" height=\"179\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What\u2019s the Best Source of Search Volume Data?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Every search volume data source is different. <strong>Not a single one is 100% accurate<\/strong>, so it\u2019s best to treat search volume information like an arrow pointing you in the right direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Estimated traffic for the primary keyword isn\u2019t the be-all-end-all, either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You won\u2019t just rank for that primary keyword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll also <strong>rank for different secondary keywords that bring in even more traffic<\/strong>, so even if a tool estimated Search volume &lt;10, you could get thousands of visits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best approach is to use a tool that <strong>combines different sources<\/strong>. This way, you\u2019ll better gauge which keywords are(not) worth targeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Search Volume Data Will Never Be 100% Accurate<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8230; but you might get a pleasant surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your website is new, start with zero search volume or low search volume keywords. And if you\u2019ve been in the game for a while, listen to your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What do <em>they <\/em>want you to write about?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After all, they\u2019re the reason we\u2019re here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[ratemypost]&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Search volume data affects your SEO. It\u2019s in every keyword tool. And yet, we rarely ask: where does it come from?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":503,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"am_check_title_format":false,"am_check_permalink_format":false,"am_check_check_categories":false,"am_check_image_links_new_tab":false,"am_check_links_new_tab":false,"am_check_flifdn_i_zdilyghwmc3q":false,"am_check_bw5lhchtaays6phnuxaab":false,"am_check_7xjfkeyllswtlb8m4geli":false,"am_check_mmpyavkpnvqakyoa0pswp":false,"am_check_nwzd0q2luski4upg5xkib":false,"am_check_phrpfzy7iv6_4sb6gtmfe":false,"am_check_dt_uokjr34nmlp5i4mai5":false,"am_check_ck0ix72zhwrmtntdo09mi":false,"am_check_m0uc7nzckg1x33rffydya":false,"am_check_joaqzpt1pujl4bkkyurpx":false,"am_check_wmavsh39a3yxl49ptxfe7":false,"am_check_v_r5yh0urz2icvtljws0m":false,"am_check_00ob2jv86fnniwqec_pzr":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[129],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-501","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-keywords"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lowfruits.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lowfruits.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lowfruits.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lowfruits.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lowfruits.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=501"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lowfruits.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/501\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lowfruits.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/503"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lowfruits.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lowfruits.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lowfruits.io\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}