The average number of times a keyword is searched per month.
I know the world of SEO can sometimes feel like a guessing game, especially when you are choosing what to write about or sell. You want to make sure your efforts are focused on things people are actually looking for. It is frustrating to spend hours on content that no one ever sees!
I have been building successful websites for 15 years, and I am going to show you the most important metric for planning your content. I promise this simple concept will change how you think about attracting visitors. Let’s find out: What is Search Volume?
What is Search Volume? The Demand Indicator
Simply put, Search Volume is the estimated number of times a specific keyword is searched for in a given time period, usually a month. This number tells me the overall popularity and demand for a topic or product. I use this figure to decide if a keyword is worth my time and effort.
If a keyword has a high search volume, I know a lot of people are interested in that topic. If the volume is very low, I need to question if I should focus on it at all. It is my main tool for predicting potential traffic.
How I Use Volume to Plan My Strategy
I do not just chase the keywords with the highest volume; those are often too competitive. Instead, I look for a sweet spot where the volume is high enough to bring traffic, but the competition is low enough for me to rank well. This strategy is where I find the best quick wins.
I also use search volume to understand trends, like when a topic becomes popular or drops off. By tracking this data, I can schedule my content to launch at the perfect time to catch a wave of interested users.
CMS Platforms and Search Volume Strategy
The CMS platform I use does not generate the search volume data, but it dictates how effectively I can target those high-volume terms. I need my platform to handle the necessary optimization for competitive keywords.
WordPress
With WordPress, I can easily integrate SEO tools that display search volume right next to my text editor. This allows me to quickly adjust my headings and titles to perfectly match the high-volume keyword. I love how simple it is to edit and deploy content for target volume.
Shopify (for Ecommerce)
For my Shopify store, I mainly focus on search volume for product category pages and collections. I ensure that my main navigation uses high-volume commercial keywords, like “women’s running leggings.” I track how much traffic these pages get to see if the volume estimate was accurate.
Wix and Webflow
When using Wix or Webflow, I must carefully research search volume outside the platform first. I then manually implement those target keywords into my page titles and URL slugs. I use volume to prioritize which pages I should spend the most time optimizing.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, I have to ensure the content entry fields are built to accept long, descriptive headings that match high-volume long-tail searches. I make sure the CMS can easily output different variations of the target keyword across the page. This control helps me better compete for top volume terms.
Industry Applications of Search Volume
I use search volume differently for every industry based on the user’s intent. Volume is a great indicator of market size and customer interest.
Ecommerce
For ecommerce, I use search volume to validate product ideas and inventory decisions. High volume for a product name means there is a big market, but I must check if I can compete. I also use it to structure my website’s product hierarchy.
Local Businesses
I use search volume for local businesses to understand the demand for services in a specific geographic area. I track terms like “emergency plumber San Diego” to see where the bulk of the local need is. High volume in a service area tells me where to focus my marketing budget.
SaaS (Software as a Service)
In the SaaS world, I use search volume to measure the size of the “pain point” my software solves. I track phrases like “affordable CRM for small business.” High volume suggests a widespread problem, proving that my software has a large potential customer base.
Blogs
For my blog, search volume is the most important factor for my editorial calendar. I target medium-to-high volume terms to ensure my articles get enough readers to make them worthwhile. I prioritize writing about topics with consistent, stable search volume.
FAQ Section
Q: How can I find the Search Volume for my keywords?
I use SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or even Google’s free Keyword Planner tool. I simply enter the keywords I am interested in, and the tool gives me an estimated monthly search volume.
Q: If a keyword has low Search Volume, should I ignore it?
No, I do not always ignore low-volume terms; these are often called “long-tail keywords.” They are usually less competitive and bring in highly specific, high-quality traffic that is ready to convert.
Q: Is Search Volume always perfectly accurate?
No, I consider search volume to be an estimate, not a guaranteed number. It shows a range and a general trend of interest. I use it for planning and comparison, not as a precise count of visitors.
Q: Why is the Search Volume for “best coffee” so high?
It is high because it is a broad, general term that millions of people search for, but the search intent is very vague. I would instead target a lower volume, specific term like “best Ethiopian coffee beans for espresso” to capture buyers.
