In an age of information overload, it is often challenging to cut through the noise and figure out what your target consumer base is looking for. The trends in the market are constantly evolving and smart businesses today rely on tools that help them keep up with this change. One such tool is Google Trends. And well, it is free!
Today’s review explores the features and functionalities of Google Trends, its limitations, and all the reasons why you should or should not give it a try.
So, let’s begin. Shall we?
What’s Google Trends?
Google Trends is a keyword research and analysis tool from Google that offers insights into the popularity of specific topics or keywords and how they are trending over time. The tool even allows users to compare the popularity of multiple search terms or keywords, providing information on their relative popularity and search volume.
Interestingly, the data and insights are real-time and come directly from Google’s search engine, which accounts for over 85% of the global search market. Google Trends also provides additional data, such as the countries and regions where the given keywords are most popular, related queries and topics, and the related Google search terms that are rising in popularity. So, yeah, it's a powerful resource for anyone willing to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and stay ahead of the curve.
Now, let’s take a look at what you get with Google Trends.
1. Search Comparison
Google Trends users can compare the popularity of up to five different search terms or keywords simultaneously. This feature helps users understand the relative popularity and search volume of different keywords.
2. Time Range Selection
This tool allows users to specify the time range for which they want to view search trends. They can choose from options like the past hour, past 24 hours, past week, past month, past year, or select a custom range. This enables users to analyze trends over specific periods.
3. Region-based Insights
Google Trends provides information about the geographic locations where a particular search term is most popular. Users can view data at the country, region, or city level, and even compare the popularity of a keyword across different locations.
4. Related Queries and Topics
Google Trends shows the top related queries and topics that are associated with the searched keyword. This feature helps users identify related terms that are currently trending or gaining popularity.
5. Rising Keywords
Users can explore the "Rising" tab in Google Trends to discover search terms that have seen a significant increase in popularity recently. This feature can be useful for identifying emerging trends and topics.
6. Category Filters
Google Trends allows users to filter search data by specific categories such as Arts & Entertainment, Sports, Health, and more. This feature enables users to focus on trends within their desired areas of interest.
7. Visualizations
Google Trends presents search data in easy-to-understand visualizations like line graphs and maps. These visual representations make it simple to interpret and compare trends over time or across different locations.
8. Real-Time Data
Google Trends provides near real-time data, allowing users to stay up-to-date with the latest search trends and patterns.
9. Integrations
Google Trends offers various integration options to allow users to incorporate its data into their applications, websites, or analysis tools. These options include Google Trends API (best suited for developers), Google Trends Embed (suited for websites and blogs), Google Sheets, and more.
Whether it's through API access, embedding visualizations, or connecting with other Google tools like Data Studio or Sheets, users can seamlessly incorporate Google Trends data into their workflows and analysis processes.
10. Custom Subscriptions
It is something you don’t see often. Google Trends allows you to add custom subscriptions to receive email notifications (however often you want). You can either add your favorite topics or simply choose to receive updates on trending searches in your region. Interestingly, you can add multiple custom subscriptions.
11. Limitations of Google Trends
Despite the clean and appealing interface loaded with features we just discussed; Google Trends does come with its limitations. For example, the search comparison feature is sort of limited as it allows only 5 keywords for the comparison chart. Another limitation that many users have complained about is that Google Trends does not reveal the exact search volume, just shows a range from 0 to 100.
Besides, Google Trends’ category filters only offer broad categories to choose from, instead of more granular choices across industries. The data export option is also limited to CSV files only while it would be nice to see more options like exporting to PDF.
12. Pricing
Google Trends is free and does not require any paid plans for unlimited access to its features.
Final Verdict
So, the big question you have been waiting for – is Google Trends worth a try?
Well, Google Trends is not as thorough as other keyword research and marketing tools out there. It is laden with features that make it an excellent tool for a general indication of market trends but not ideal for specific decision-making.
A distinct advantage that Google Trends has over other tools is the real-time that comes purely from the world’s largest search engine. And with a price tag of $0, we’d say, this data is worth looking into.