In the world of SEO and digital marketing, success begins with one simple but powerful step — choosing the right keywords.
Whether you’re a blogger, a business owner, or an SEO strategist, knowing which keywords to target determines how well your content performs in search results.
But with millions of search terms out there, how do you find the perfect ones? That’s where a search volume checker becomes your most valuable tool.
In this detailed guide, you’ll learn exactly how to choose the right keywords using a search volume checker, how to balance volume with competition, and how tools like Rankyfy can simplify the entire process.
What Are Keywords and Why Do They Matter?
Keywords are the bridge between what people are searching for and what your website offers.
For example:
-
When a user types “best AI SEO tools,” Google looks for pages optimized for that keyword.
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If your content includes that phrase naturally and provides value, you have a chance to appear in those search results.
Choosing the right keywords means:
- Understanding your audience’s search intent
- Matching that intent with your content offerings
- Optimizing your pages for discoverability
The difference between an average SEO campaign and a high-performing one often lies in data-backed keyword selection — and that’s where keyword search volume comes in.
What Is Search Volume (and What It Tells You)
Search volume refers to how many times a specific keyword or phrase is searched on Google (or other search engines) per month.
For example:
- “AI SEO Software” → 10,000 monthly searches
- “Free keyword search tool” → 2,500 monthly searches
- “Best SEO tools for small businesses” → 1,200 monthly searches
A search volume checker shows these numbers so you can estimate the popularity of each keyword.
But here’s the important part:
High search volume doesn’t always mean high opportunity. Sometimes it means high competition too. The trick is to find a balance between search volume, relevance, and competition.
Why a Search Volume Checker Is Essential
A search volume checker helps you discover and analyze the real potential behind each keyword. It reveals:
- How often people search for it
- Where the searches come from (by country or region)
- Related keywords and variations
- Competition level (how many websites target that keyword)
Using this data, you can choose keywords that:
- Have enough search demand to bring traffic
- Are relevant to your audience
- Are achievable based on your website’s authority
One such tool that helps streamline this process is Rankyfy’s Search Volume Checker, which gives accurate keyword insights and helps you target the most effective search terms for your niche.
How to Choose the Right Keywords Using a Search Volume Checker
Here’s a step-by-step approach to finding your best keywords:
Step 1: Start with Your Core Topics
Begin by listing out the main topics your business or blog covers.
For example, if you’re in the SEO space, your topics might include:
- SEO software
- Keyword research
- On-page optimization
- Backlink strategies
- Content marketing
These broad themes will serve as seed keywords when you start using your search volume checker.
Step 2: Enter Seed Keywords into the Search Volume Checker
Take one of your seed keywords — for example, “SEO tools” — and enter it into your chosen keyword tool.
The search volume checker will generate:
- Monthly search volume
- Keyword difficulty score
- CPC (Cost Per Click, if relevant)
- Related and long-tail keyword ideas
This gives you a list of potential keywords to explore further.
Step 3: Analyze Search Volume Data
When reviewing the results, look for:
- High search volume (shows demand)
- Medium or low competition (indicates opportunity)
- High relevance (fits your content and audience)
For example:
| Keyword | Monthly Volume | Competition | Intent |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEO tools | 10,000 | High | Informational |
| Best AI SEO tools | 3,500 | Medium | Commercial |
| SEO software for beginners | 1,200 | Low | Informational |
Here, “Best AI SEO tools” might be a better keyword to target — it has decent search volume and moderate competition.
Step 4: Understand Search Intent
Every keyword represents a different intent behind the search. The main types are:
- Informational: The user wants to learn something.
Example: “How does keyword search volume work?” - Navigational: The user is looking for a brand or website.
Example: “Rankyfy search volume checker” - Transactional: The user is ready to buy or sign up.
Example: “Buy SEO software online” - Commercial Investigation: The user is comparing products.
Example: “Best keyword search tools 2025”
Your goal is to choose keywords that match the intent of your content.
If you’re writing a blog, focus on informational or commercial keywords.
If you’re optimizing a product page, target transactional ones.
Step 5: Target Long-Tail Keywords
Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases like:
- “Free keyword search volume checker for bloggers”
- “How to find low-competition SEO keywords”
These often have lower search volume but are easier to rank for and attract more qualified traffic.
Search volume checkers are excellent for identifying such opportunities — showing variations of your main keyword along with their search volumes and trends.
Step 6: Compare Keywords Based on Location
If your audience is region-specific, always analyze search volume by country.
For instance:
- “SEO tools” may have 12,000 searches in the U.S.
- But only 1,000 in India or the U.K.
This insight helps you tailor your keyword and content strategy to the right audience.
Step 7: Monitor Trends and Seasonality
Some keywords peak at certain times of the year.
For example:
- “Black Friday SEO deals” spikes in November.
- “New SEO trends” spikes in January.
Your search volume checker helps identify these seasonal patterns, allowing you to schedule your content calendar accordingly.
Balancing Search Volume with Keyword Difficulty
When using a search volume checker, always look at keyword difficulty (KD) alongside search volume.
Here’s a simple formula for choosing balanced keywords:
| Search Volume | Competition | Action |
|---|---|---|
| High | High | Competitive; target only if your domain is strong |
| Medium | Low/Medium | Ideal for most websites |
| Low | Low | Great for niche or long-tail strategies |
You can use tools like Rankyfy, Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Keyword Planner to find this balance. The goal is to target a mix of short-term wins (low-competition, lower-volume) and long-term growth (medium-to-high volume).
Creating a Keyword Plan from Your Data
Once you’ve chosen your ideal keywords, organize them into a keyword plan.
Here’s how:
- Group by Topic: Cluster similar keywords together.
Example: “search volume checker,” “keyword search tool,” “find keyword volume” - Map to Content Type:
Blog Posts → Informational keywords
Product Pages → Transactional keywords
Comparison Pages → Commercial keywords - Prioritize by Opportunity:
Use volume, intent, and difficulty to rank your keyword list.
This structure makes your SEO efforts organized and measurable.
Common Keyword Research Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced marketers make mistakes when choosing keywords. Avoid these common traps:
- Chasing only high-volume keywords — they’re competitive and may not convert.
- Ignoring user intent — ranking is useless if you don’t meet search needs.
- Neglecting long-tail keywords — these often bring in higher-quality traffic.
- Skipping brand integration — use your brand name naturally to build trust.
- Failing to update keyword data — search trends evolve; recheck volumes regularly.
Remember, keyword research is ongoing, not a one-time task.
Conclusion
Choosing the right keywords isn’t about picking the ones with the biggest numbers — it’s about finding the right balance between demand, competition, and intent.
A search volume checker gives you that data clarity. It helps you see what your audience is searching for, how competitive each term is, and where your biggest opportunities lie.
When combined with strategic thinking and consistent optimization, your keyword plan becomes the foundation of your SEO success.
If you want to simplify this process, tools like Rankyfy’s Search Volume Checker can provide fast, reliable keyword insights — helping you make data-driven content decisions that attract traffic and boost visibility.
