Every blogger or website owner sometimes runs out of ideas. There’s no shortage of content on Google, but sometimes it seems overwhelming. If only there was a shortcut.
Google Trends displays the frequency of specific search terms and graphs their popularity over time. In addition, a writer can explore related topics, which can serve as inspiration for new posts.
The issue with the site is not how to use it, but how to use it effectively. This post will provide you with a few tips to keep you from going down rabbit holes.
Don’t Stay on Page One of Google Trends
You could easily climb into your first rabbit hole by clicking on a topic that is generating high search volumes when you visit the site. Try to resist the temptation.
For example, the last time I visited, a popular search was Fortnite. Although I know little about Fortnite, I clicked out of curiosity. A trend at that time was Fortnite UFO, Fortnite UFO location, and Flying Saucer Topic.
I returned to the main page. Ramen noodles was trending. Curious, I followed the link. Interest in Ramen Noodles had been steady until 2016, when it exploded. Pho dishes had also seen growth during this time.
Interestingly, Russia, Canada, and India searches were 50% Pho and the rest Ramen. In America, Mexico, Brazil, and Australia, more than 50 percent of searches were Ramen, with 87% of searches in Mexico were for Ramen and only 9% Pho (Soba had 4%).
As you can see, staying on the front page leads to interesting facts, but they aren’t going to help you find topics (unless you are a food blogger).
Use the Breakout Feature
Instead, enter a search term and hit enter. Google trends will show lots of data, including
- How interest in the topic has increased or decreased over time
- Which regions have the most searches
- Related topics and related queries
You can filter the information by country, time period, and whether searches came from YouTube, News, Shopping, or Image Search.
A comparison option is also available. I can compare the search terms “AI writing” and “AI Drawing,” and if I find that interest in drawing is higher, I should write a post combining the two.
Scroll to the bottom of the page. You will find two columns–related topics and related queries. If you don’t like the topics you see, expand to see more.
The day I looked under Related Queries, I saw a word–rytr–that was new to me. I clicked Breakout and was led to a page that gave me interest in time for rytr.
Interest fluctuated, but the trend was upward. So I saw potential and decided to continue searching.
Follow the Links to Find Related Articles and Posts
Once you decide to explore a related topic or query, click on the three dots to the right of Breakout. You will have three options, but “Search on Google” is the most helpful.
The website for Rytr (an AI Writer) was the first option, followed by Ryterai, another AI writer. And that fast I had found two additional AI writers to add to my series of AI reviews.
Conclusion
If your SEO ranking strategy is a focus on keyword competition, Google Trends might not be the best tool for getting your post on the first page of Google. But keywords is only a part of SEO. Your blog needs to have plenty of content. Use Google Trends to help you find content, and it won’t be long before inspiration hits.
If you want more writing tips, check out 5 Writing Tips Writers Should Know.
