Definition:
Google Trends is a free service from Google that provides graphs that show how often words, phrases, and topics have been searched in a given time. With Google Trends you can compare up to five topics at the same time and also see how often these topics have been mentioned in the news and find out in which geographical regions have been the most searched topics.
Google Trends works by analyzing a portion of Google searches to calculate the number of searches that have been performed with the terms entered, in relation to the total number of searches performed on Google during the same time. Although the data provided by Google Trends is updated daily, Google includes a caveat that the data Trends produces may contain inaccuracies for a number of reasons, including data sampling issues and a variety of approximations that are used to calculate the results.
Queries in Google Trends
It is possible to consult up to five words or topics simultaneously in Google Trends. The results are displayed in a chart, a search volume index. The data in the chart can be exported to a CSV file, which can be opened in Excel and other spreadsheet applications.
A feature called“Current Trends”displays a list of the top search queries of the day in the selected country. Another feature called Google Trends for websites analyzes web traffic, rather than traffic for specific search terms. The data includes unique visitors and a region column, which shows the percentage of visitors from a specific geographic region.
In 2008, Google announced Google Insights for Search, a service that offers more advanced features for viewing search trend data. Google Insights can be used to fine-tune keyword strategies, as it allows you to examine search cycles and specific keyword guidelines and the popularity of a keyword based on location and time range.
Frequently asked questions about Google Trends
What does Google Trends mean in digital marketing?
Google Trends refers to the concept described in this glossary entry: Definition: Google Trends is a free service from Google that provides graphs that show how often words, phrases, and topics have been searched in a given time. With Google Trends you can compare up to five topics at the same time and also see how often these topics have been mentioned in the news and find out in which geographical regions have been the most searched topics. It gives teams a shared vocabulary for analysing digital projects.
When should teams pay attention to Google Trends?
Teams should review Google Trends when it affects acquisition, measurement, user experience, content, automation or campaign performance. The important step is to connect the definition with a real decision.
How is Google Trends used in a digital strategy?
Google Trends is used by translating the concept into practical checks: where it appears in the funnel, which data or channel is involved and whether it needs optimisation, monitoring or documentation.
What is a common mistake when interpreting Google Trends?
A common mistake is using Google Trends too broadly. It is better to verify the context, the tool or the metric involved before making strategic or technical conclusions.