Keyword research tools are a logical starting point for determining the best search terms to bid on for your paid search campaign. But here’s another method that can turn up keywords you – or that research tool – may never have thought of.
Take a fairly broad search term, and run it on Google AdWords broad match. Broad match means that your ad will run whenever the keyword you’re bidding on is included as part of a search term. Used badly, it has the potential to run up astronomic per click charges and generate a pile of unqualified traffic.
But here’s a trick for using it wisely. Set up a separate campaign on a really low budget – say, $1 per day. After you’ve developed some history, use the “See search terms” option on the Keywords tab to see exactly which phrases triggered your ad.
It’s quite likely you’ll find search terms you never would have thought have otherwise – as well as uncover some new instances in which you should use negative match. As with most things, there’s no better research tool than actual experience, as long as you employ it on a small basis.
